Combine two parts water with one part white vinegar in a spray bottle and you'll be all set with a homemade window cleaner. You can also combine warm water with a few drops of dishwashing soap if you prefer. Invest in a glass spray bottle to mix up your formula.
In the past, I've used a soapy solution composed of 45% water, 45% rubbing alcohol, and 10% sudsy ammonia. I can tell you this formula works extremely well, and leaves the windows sparkling clean. Outdoors, the solution is easily applied with a common sponge mop.
The safest and most effective way to clean historic windows that have no painted decoration, or where the decoration is in sound condition, is to roll (not rub) cotton buds dampened with a little de-ionised water over the glass surfaces.
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.
For starters, historic windows tend to have small, hand-blown panes, which was common prior to the 1950s, and the glass tends to have imperfections and unique designs. Most are fragile too. As such, the same modern cleaning chemicals and tools just don't fit the job.
Yellowed glass is caused by an accumulation of dirt and infrequent cleanings. A vinegar/water solution applied with soft sponge should do the trick. Keep up on regular frosted glass cleanings.
Hydrogen peroxide can be used in a ratio of four cups of water to one-half cup hydrogen peroxide. Not only does it clean but it disinfects glass and other surfaces.
"Sun-Changed" or Irradiated Glass: A short explanation
Arsenic was used in glass-making before the second world war (pre 1940) and to a lesser extent after that date. When irradiated or exposed to sunlight for a long time, this glass turns yellow. The effect can be seen in the headlamps of very old cars.
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.
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.)
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.
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.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Vinegar
“Combining these two creates peracetic acid or corrosive acid, an irritant that, in high concentrations, can harm the skin, eyes, throat, nose, and lungs,” says Bock.
Don't mix hydrogen peroxide with vinegar
Hydrogen peroxide and vinegar can be used on the same surface as long as it dries in between applications but they should never be mixed. When the two are mixed, it creates peracetic acid, which can harm the skin, eyes, throat, nose and lungs.
For yellow age stain, the most effective stain remover is a hydrogen peroxide solution, which is available in commercial form as stain removers under brand names such as OxiClean. The main ingredient in most of these stain removers is a solidified form of hydrogen peroxide, combined with surfactants and detergents.
Use mild soap when washing your old glassware and never use bleach. Use a plastic bowl or dishpan to protect the glassware from hitting the sink. You could also line your sink with a towel.
Perhaps your windows haven't even had the dirt removed properly. This can happen if you keep reusing a sponge that isn't being washed frequently. Or if the technique used is sloppy and not thorough. And some squeegees give a really patchy finish, especially poorer quality models not designed for professional use.
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.
Windows that are over 20 years old should be replaced. If you've lived in your home for decades and have never replaced the windows, they are likely original to the house. Replacing your windows will keep you up-to-date with the latest window technology. Older windows are likely to be made with pane glass.
Silica Desiccant
A desiccant is an absorbent material designed to maintain dryness in the space it protects. In a double-paned window, silica pellets inside the aluminum perimeter strip absorb moisture from any incoming air that enters the space between the panes.