It's fine to use a commercial window cleaning spray, but you can also make your own that's just as effective—and much cheaper. Combine about 8 ounces of hot water with a drop or two of Dawn dish soap—which is great for cutting grease and grime, says Fisk—in a spray bottle.
Dish Soap and Water
Dish soap is perfect for cleaning windows with residue and buildup, and you only need a few drops of dish soap to get the job done. If you're cleaning inside windows, use a spray bottle and if you're washing exterior windows, use a bucket.
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.
Professional window cleaners use a solution made from dish soap and water to achieve a streak-free clean. The key is to use a small amount of soap and distilled water. Some professionals add ammonia to the water for increased cleaning power.
The most common professional window cleaning solution recipe is filtered or distilled water and dish soap. Just a few spoonfuls of dish soap is all that's needed to create foam for gliding and to help break up any grease and dirt on the glass during cleaning.
Pour equal parts of vinegar and Dawn into a spray bottle. Gently shake, then spray liberally onto the surface to be cleaned.
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.
Surfactants are chemical compounds known to decrease the friction between a liquid and a gas, solid, or other liquid. This is what makes scrubbing grease and caked on food so easy with Dawn dish soap.
Spray a vinegar and water solution on the glass, and then follow with the miracle foam of Dawn Powerwash. It adheres to the doors better than a solution made with dish soap and water and penetrates soap scum better than ever. Rinse off and squeegee, and you'll have crystal clear glass!
It contains vinegar and isopropyl alcohol, which both cut through grease and kill bacteria. Simply mix one cup of alcohol and water and add a tablespoon of vinegar. Add the mixture to a spray bottle, and you're good to go!
Spray a stronger mix of 1:1 water and vinegar (or Windex, or glass cleaner) at your window, so that the solution covers most of the glass. (I found Windex to work better, but if you have pets—or kids—who frequently lick outdoor windows, vinegar may be the best route for you.)
In a spray bottle, combine 2 cups of white vinegar, 2 cups of water, and 5 drops of concentrated dish soap. Give it a good shake to thoroughly mix the ingredients. The vinegar is an acid and will help break up any mineral or hard water deposits. The dish soap helps to soften up the grime and gently remove dirt.
Bottom Line
If you're a homeowner, clean your windows regularly, twice or thrice a year, and once every month for commercial properties like restaurants. However, take into account factors that may require you to clean exterior windows more often. You can do it yourself or call in a professional.
You can clean your windows with vinegar and water or water with a few drops of dish soap. If you opt for water and vinegar, you'll need equal parts white vinegar and hot water. To use dish soap, combine cold water with a few drops of dish soap.
The blue solution in the reservoir is an alcohol-based glass cleaner probably diluted with some water. After multiple people have wiped bugs, mud, oil, and gasoline off their vehicle using the squeegee and dunked it back into the tub, that fluid is more filth than detergent.
Vinegar's natural acidity cuts through grime and deters streaking, and it's safe around children and pets. Below, Stapf walks us through the steps to get your windows gleaming.
Professional window cleaners try to clean when temperatures are between 50 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (10-23 C). These temperatures are most common during spring and autumn seasons, making those the best times for outdoor window cleaning.
Yes, Dawn Dish Soap is toxic because it contains harmful ingredients like Triclosan, 1,4-dioxane, synthetic dye, fragrance, and the dreaded methylisothiazolinone. These ingredients can cause mild to severe health conditions like nerve and liver damage, skin irritation, and allergic reactions.
As it turns out, you can actually unclog a toilet with dish soap instead of turning to a harsh, toxic bowl cleaner. Just as natural dish soap helps break down dirt, grease, and food that may be stuck on dishes and utensils, it can help break down what's in your toilet bowl.