And there's more: The same properties that make rinse aid an integral addition to dishwashing routines makes it useful for other cleaning tasks as well. More specifically, rinse aid makes for a fantastic secret ingredient in a DIY window cleaning solution!
You could also try adding dishwasher rinse aid to the water when you wash your windows, to ensure a streak-free finish. The GHI highly rates the e-cloth Window Pack of cleaning cloths. Simply add water, no chemicals required.
Keep streaks off shower doors.
To maintain the glass doors between cleanings, make a homemade spray with one cup of vinegar and two tablespoons of rinse aid, then fill the rest of the bottle with water. Spritz daily on the doors after each shower.
Use a cleaning solution: Like Glass-Rite cleaner! Or we also recommend a simple solution of equal parts vinegar and water, a Windex solution in water is good also. Do not use glass cleaners that are ammonia or alcohol based. They may leave streaks or make a film that attracts moisture or dust.
The Simplest Method for Cleaning Glass
Mix one-half gallon of warm water with one tablespoon of Jet Dry liquid and two to three tablespoons of liquid dishwashing or laundry detergent.
Using a clean, lint-free towel (or the black-and-white pages of a newspaper), dry the window completely using a Z-shaped motion. You also can use clean paper towels to dry the windows, if you prefer. If dirt or streaks remain, spray and dry again. (Dirty windows typically require two rounds of spraying and drying.)
To help with clearing the condensation away, you can make a simple, home-made solution by mixing two cups of water with two cups of white vinegar and a couple drops of washing up liquid. Pour this mixture into a spray bottle if you have one and spray the solution straight onto your window.
A big problem is the evaporation rate. If you're cleaning your windows on a warm sunny day, the liquid part of the solution evaporates quickly and leaves behind a residue that appears as streaks. On the other hand, if you don't entirely remove the liquid you can also be left with a streaky window.
Mix up your window-cleaning solution: In a plastic spray bottle, mix together 2 cups of warm water with 1/4 cup white vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon of Dawn. Sweep away dirt: Using a broom, sweep away the cobwebs and debris from the windows and sills.
Step 1: The first step is to mix up your ingredients above. For large areas use 4 Tablespoons of Dishwashing Detergent and 2 Tablespoon Rinse Aid. Step 2: Lightly wet your windows with a trigger hose so you can keep the surface moist. Step 3: Use your soft bristle broom to apply the solution to the windows.
My takeaway from this experiment is that using a spray with rinse aid not only makes cleaning shower glass easier, it also helps keep the glass clearer longer.
A trusted way to get windows sparkling is a combination of water and vinegar. Fill a bucket with water and add two or three cups of white vinegar. Submerge a sponge or clean cloth in the liquid and apply generously. Dry with a clean cloth.
Use warm, soapy water on a rag and stay away from abrasive chemicals that may discolor the window frame finish. Stubborn stains and deposits may be removed with mineral spirits or cleaning solution like Pine-Sol® and can be applied with a clean, dry cloth or towel.
In a spray bottle, combine ¼ cup of white vinegar with ½ teaspoon of liquid dish soap. Dilute the solution with 2 cups of water, then shake the bottle vigorously to mix the components. If you don't have white vinegar on hand, you can substitute it with lemon juice.
The dish soap helps to soften up the grime and gently remove dirt. Generously mist the solution over the surface of the window, and allow it to sit on the glass for a few minutes. Wipe off the window in a large circular motion using a lint-free microfiber cloth, newspaper, or even coffee filter.
However, some solutions are easier to absorb without leaving smudges than others. Vinegar is a good alternative to the options that are found in stores and using newspaper to wipe it away should leave you with windows so clean you'll think they're open!
Window cleaning professionals suggest avoiding window washing on very sunny days or at a time when a window is in direct sunlight, as the heat may cause the glass to dry too quickly and cause smears.
According to their report, windows should be washed twice a year, while screens need only to be cleaned annually. For many home owners and even renters, window cleaning usually is a once-a-year chore.
Salt is one of the most absorbent natural products available, helping to combat moisture around the home. Using salt is the most basic method when trying to make a homemade dehumidifier.
If you wake up and find condensation on your bedroom windows, a great way to clear away the condensation is by mixing a home-made solution. Simply mix two cups of water and two cups of white vinegar, then add a couple of drops of washing up liquid.