A: Most Windex® Glass and Multi-Surface Cleaners are formulated with detergents, solvents, fragrance and in some cases ammonia (see below for ammonia-free products). For more information about what goes inside SC Johnson products, visit whatsinsidescjohnson.com.
Windex® Original Glass Cleaner is perfect for cleaning windows, mirrors, glass shower doors, glass top stoves, and more. Thanks to its formulation with Ammonia-D®, it starts working on fingerprints, dirt, and other messes even before you wipe.
This formula was not only inexpensive to manufacture but allowed the product to be packaged in glass bottles and dispensed with a plastic sprayer. In 1989, Windex was a 5% ammonia solution. The product was reformulated in 2006.
The owners, Johnson state the formula changed in 2007 to no ammonia, and has an increased alcohol content. So what your using should still work.
Many people ask if they should use a glass cleaner with or without ammonia. The true answer is that it depends on the application, BUT in almost all typical use situations it's better to go ammonia free!
And while ammonia based cleaners like Windex are known for their cleaning power, the smell isn't so great. Plus, ammonia can leave streaks and film on some types of windows. But not to worry, Consumer Reports found that the ammonia-free options cleaned just as well. The winner: The Sprayway foaming glass cleaner.
Just Say No to Ammonia-Based Cleaners
While these cleaners might seem effective at first, they can cause damage over time. Ammonia can degrade the seals on double-pane windows, leading to clouding or fogging between the panes. Additionally, ammonia can cause tinted glass to fade or discolor.
Lysol Laundry Disinfectant - contains: didecyl-dimethyl ammonium chloride and dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride - claims effiacy against P. aeruginosa and COVID-19, with 99.99% (one extra "9", compared to most other Lysol products) effectiveness against all viruses and bacteria.
Glass Cleaner: The shelf life of glass cleaners is around two years. However, if the product is stored in direct sunlight or extreme temperatures, it may expire sooner.
Can I mix Fabuloso® Professional, Fabuloso® 2X Concentrated Formula, or Fabuloso® Antibacterial with bleach? No. Do not use any with chlorine bleach.
It disinfects against Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Influenza A virus (Hong Kong strain). Q: Does Pine-Sol® Cleaner contain ammonia? A: No, Pine-Sol® Cleaners do not contain ammonia.
None under normal processing.
Disposing of solid and powder cleaning products
If your unused or partly full products contain any potentially dangerous substances, such as corrosive cleaning agents like bleach or ammonia, it's particularly important to bring them to your local hazardous waste collection facility.
Which to Use. Both vinegar and ammonia are good cleaning agents, but if you want to be on the safe side, then it's best to go with vinegar. Vinegar is less hazardous. When it comes to actually wiping the windows down, however, microfiber cloths are the best thing to use for absorbency.
The new issue of Consumer Reports has an article about the best glass cleaners, and says the following about the original formula of Windex: "Because it has ammonia in its formula, it should not be used on tinted windows or other surfaces that can be damaged by ammonia".
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 acidic composition of white vinegar works efficiently to break down the film that can accumulate on your windows. For a basic vinegar cleaning solution, we recommend mixing one part distilled vinegar to 10 parts warm water in a spray bottle. Label the container and save leftovers for future use.
Customers say that Sprayway Glass Cleaner is highly effective, providing a streak-free finish on various surfaces including windows, mirrors, and stainless steel. Many appreciate its pleasant scent and foaming action, which prevents drips and allows for easy application.
Windex® Vinegar Multi-Surface Cleaner is versatile and the special ammonia-free formula has no harsh vinegar smell—just a fresh, clean scent. Use as a bathroom cleaner, kitchen cleaner, tile cleaner, stainless steel cleaner, and much more.
With that being said, ammonia can be known to cause damage to surfaces such as rubber, vinyl, plastic, paint, and chrome trim which are found all throughout your vehicle. Ammoniated glass cleaners can also deteriorate wax, so we highly caution against using these types of products on any such surface.
Vinegar, an all-natural and nontoxic cleaner, mixed with warm water is an effective and environmentally friendly glass-cleaning solution. Avoid using soap and paper towels for cleaning glass; instead, opt for a solution with minimal soap and use a microfiber cloth or newspaper to prevent streaks and lint.