Professional
A hot, sunny day causes the cleaning solution to evaporate too fast before you can finish washing the window and leaves streaks. 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.
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.
It doesn't all wash off. In fact, it leaves toxic chemical residues behind on your dishes and glasses that pose significant health hazards over the long-term.
Stay Away from Harsh Chemicals
Harsh chemicals, especially those containing bleach or chlorine, should be kept away from glass surfaces. These chemicals can damage window frames, seals, and surrounding materials.
2 cups white vinegar. 1 tablespoon dish soap. Dip a rag or mop cloth in the bucket and let excess liquid drip off. Wash the windows corner to corner and then just grab a hose and rinse!
Dawn dish soaps are great for cleaning exterior windows because of their cleaning properties. Using dish soap on outside windows can help remove any caked-on dirt and grime.
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. The important thing is to reach for a non toxic dish soap that, once it's flushed and enters the water supply, will be safer for animals and the planet.
The Environmental Working Group gave Dawn a 'D' grade because of it containing methylisothiazolinone, which is a "High Concern: acute aquatic toxicity; Some Concern: skin irritation/allergies/damage". Sounds delightful, right? Dawn also contains 1 4-dioxane which is considered a groundwater contaminant.
Glass Cleaner Recipe:
1 tablespoon of Dawn EZ Squeeze Dish Soap. 1 gallon of water. A clean cloth. Paper towel or squeegee (optional)
Dish Soap Solution
Believe it or not, one of the most common and effective window cleaning solutions that is used by professionals is a mixture of dish soap and water.
A mild dish detergent and water mixture will clean vinyl windows without damaging the surface. Use the smallest amount necessary to clean the windows so no residue remains after rinsing.
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a bucket (you can also make it in a spray bottle). Optional: add a few drops of dish soap to help cut through grease and grime. Use a dry microfiber cloth to remove dust or dirt from the window surfaces.
Window cleaners usually use basic dish soap to clean windows effectively. This includes Dawn, Palmolive, and other standard products.
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.)
Try a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water for a streak-free clean. You can use a spray bottle or dip a rag in the solution, just like you would an ordinary cleaner. If you are worried about the fumes, only use vinegar for outdoor windows or mix a couple drops of essential oils to counteract the smell.
Because dish soap is meant to break up oils and lift grease and grime from your flatware and utensils, there's no reason why it shouldn't work on the oily soap and human grease build-up accumulating in your tub or shower!
*For best results, use a little less than two teaspoons (9.5 mL) of Dawn® Platinum in a top-loading washing machine—be sure not to use too much, and don't use on delicate fabrics like silk. Spot test with a small drop in a less visible area to make sure the material will not be damaged.
If Dawn gets in eyes, rinse thoroughly with water. If swallowed, drink a glass of water to dilute.” Flammable Properties: The liquid hand dishwashing detergents have a flashpoint of 115-135°F (46.1-57.2°C) Pensky-Martens (Closed cup). However, the detergents do not sustain combustion according to ASTM D4206.
“Dish soap serves as a lubricant for clogs and helps them slide through the pipes,” explains Justin Cornforth, an experienced plumber and CEO at Ace Plumbing.
2. Use It as a Clarifying Shampoo Substitute. First, let's get this straight: replacing your regular shampoo with Dawn is definitely not recommended. However, some people swear by using a very small amount of the dish soap a couple of times a year to get rid of stubborn buildup that conventional shampoos can't touch.
Best Ways to Keep a Toilet Bowl Clean
Clean your toilet overnight with Coke. Make DIY fizzy toilet bowl bombs. For a natural option, try vinegar and baking soda. Install a water softener to prevent hard water stains.
To the original proportion, 2 cups water to half a teaspoon Dawn, simply add a quarter cup of white vinegar for a powerhouse cleaning combo.