It's true. Using Windex, which contains ammonia, can cause damage to glass cooktops that manufacturers won't cover. Ammonia can etch the surface of the cooktop. Furthermore, if you forget to wipe it dry and turn on a burner, you release ammonia gas into the air.
You can use Windex® Ammonia-Free Glass Cleaner on your car's tinted windows, mirrors, glass, chrome, stainless steel, plastic, and vinyl surfaces. For a streak-free shine, clean car windows when the surface is cool and out of direct sunlight whenever possible.
Key Ingredients of Windex
The key ingredient in Windex is ammonia. This harsh chemical features just the right amount of abrasion to remove stains from glass and windows without harming the surface itself.
“Windex shouldn't be used on granite or marble kitchen tops. Cleaners like Windex can etch or dull the surfaces of natural stone,” says Rick Glickman, president of Dream Kitchens, a design studio in Highland Park, Illinois.
You can use Windex® Ammonia-Free Glass Cleaner on your vehicle's tinted windows, mirrors, glass, chrome, stainless steel, plastic, and vinyl surfaces.
Windex and even generic versions of it contain a powerful chemical, ammonia, which gives the product its telltale pungent scent. Ammonia is colorless at room temperature, has alkaline properties, and is highly corrosive and irritating, according to the New York State Department of Health.
The safest cleaner for a mirror is clean, warm water used with a soft cloth. An approved glass cleaner such as Windex or similar products may be used.
Windex is great on countertops, too, including quartz, granite, marble, laminate and tile. Just make sure that if you're cleaning natural stone counters that have a sealant, such as granite, marble or quartzite, you're using a Windex version that is free of ammonia and vinegar.
Clean the counters
Use a multi-surface cleaner such as Windex® Multi-Surface Disinfectant Cleaner to clean and shine countertops made of sealed granite, sealed marble, Corian®, Formica® and more. For a gentle clean that also works on a variety of surfaces, try Windex® Vinegar Glass Cleaner.
Keep Counters Clean
Countertop, glass cook top, tile, and grout grime won't stand a chance against Windex. The product works on granite, marble, and laminate countertops, and—best of all—won't erode or damage grout. No need to even switch cleansers when you switch to wiping down enamel and stainless steel appliances.
After nearly 40 hours of reading, researching, spraying and wiping, we determined that Windex is the best window cleaner available. It's powerful enough to break up grease and food stains on a variety of surfaces without leaving behind spots or streaks.
The best homemade window cleaning solution is to just mix two gallons of water and about a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid together in your bucket. Some people also opt to use vinegar and water to clean windows. In warm weather, you'll get a little more working time by using cool water.
Yes, you can use Windex on car windows and to clean the inside of your windshield. While some will advise you to skip the Windex with tinted windows, there's no evidence that Windex with ammonia causes problems. If your windows have been tinted by a third party, you may want to play it safe and skip it.
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.
When ammonia is used on tinted windows it can cause the tint to bubble and discolor, become hazy or brittle. With prolonged use, the window tint will peel off completely. Professionals use ammonia to old window tint to help remove it.
Since granite countertops have a sealant on them to keep them shiny and stain-resistant, you want to avoid using anything too acidic or basic on the granite. Frequent use of vinegar, Windex or bleach will dull the granite and weaken the sealant. Instead, a little soap and water should do the trick.
Most household cleaners you would usually use to do a quick clean with such as Windex, vinegar and Lysol wipes (some of which contain bleach) are not a good idea for quartz countertops. Why? Windex has a high pH level, making it potentially damaging to a manmade material such as quartz.
In addition, Windex products and all-purpose cleaners are generally not safe for granite countertops.
Mix one cup distilled water, three tablespoons vinegar, and ¼ cup rubbing alcohol in a new spray bottle and label it. Shake up your glass cleaning solution and spray it on your glass. Work from top to bottom and wipe down your window or mirror with a microfiber cloth.
Bottom Line. A mix of rubbing alcohol, vinegar, cornstarch, and water is an excellent Windex alternative because it's non-toxic, relatively easy to make, streak-free, and inexpensive.
Step 1: Start with a clean shower. Step 2: Immediately after showering, spray a light mist of Windex® Shower over the wet surfaces including the curtain or door. Do not scrub, rinse or wipe off. Step 3: If streaks appear, rinse off and apply less.
While you might imagine that a glass stove top should be cleaned with a glass cleaner (like Windex), these cleaning products are actually not suitable for a cooktop, as they can lead to permanent stains and streaking on the fragile surface. Cleaning with distilled white vinegar is your best bet.
Avoid Harmful Chemicals
Alcohol and ammonia, found in window cleaners such as Windex, can wreak havoc on your expensive flat-screen TV, so don't use cleaners that have them.