In addition, the mixture creates a byproduct, saltwater, that robs both of their cleaning properties. 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.
For tough stains:
Mix 1 cup of ammonia with 1 cup of warm water in a spray bottle. Add 1/2 cup of vinegar and 1 drop of dish soap. Shake well and spray onto the window. Let sit for 5 minutes, then wipe clean with a lint-free cloth.
You can use a solution of dish soap and hot water, then scrub gently with a sponge. Hose down with clean water. Then use a hose to get rid stains and debris. You may have to use a ladder to reach windows on the second level.
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.)
You can also make an all-natural window cleaning solution using a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and hot water. Adding a touch of liquid soap to the vinegar solution will help remove any streak-causing wax left on the window from commercial cleaners used in the past.
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.
The best window cleaning solution is a simple blend with basic ingredients you likely already have. The most common professional window cleaning solution recipe is filtered or distilled water and dish soap.
“Vinegar is a good cleaner because it's acidic, but when you add dishwashing liquid/dish soap to it (which is a base or neutral) - you neutralise the vinegar. You take away the very thing that makes it work well. “The dishwashing liquid works that well on its own. Adding the vinegar is a pointless step.”
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.
Odd though it might seem, wiping down glass with newspaper not only helps produce streak-free glass, but also a lovely, bright shine! Be sure to spray your cleaning product on the newspaper or cloth rather than directly on the mirror. This will prevent the cleaner from dripping into the frame and possibly corroding it.
Ammonia-based glass cleaners should not be used to clean your car's windshield or windows under any circumstances. You may cause damage to your windows or other surrounding components, as well as jeopardize your health!
Avoid using glass cleaners that are based in ammonia or alcohol. They may seem like they'd produce a more intense clean, but in reality, they can leave streaks and even a thin film that attracts dust and moisture.
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! This goes for use in the home and most professional applications as well.
Traditional methods involves the application of soapy water to a window which is then scrubbed clean. Professional window cleaners use microfiber cleaning sleeves fitted onto a hand held t-shaped bar. The sleeve is then soaked in water mixed with a window cleaning solution and applied to the glass.
Use an Extendable Squeegee (For Cleaning)
Extendable squeegees usually have a telescopic pole handle, which means they can be used for both hard-to-reach and easily accessible surfaces.
DIY Glass Cleaner Recipe
Beginning with your empty plastic spray bottle, add in the cup of distilled water. Then combine with one cup rubbing alcohol and two tablespoons of distilled white vinegar. Once everything is in the bottle, please give it a good shake to mix the solution up. That's it - super easy, right?
For most windows, combine equal parts distilled water and white vinegar. In most cases, it's best to do this in a spray bottle, but for larger windows combine more liquid in a bucket. For very dirty windows, especially exterior windows, combine 2 cups of water, 1/4 cup of vinegar, and 1/2 tsp of dish detergent.
Another potentially risky combo is ammonia and vinegar, which creates a high-pH solution that can cause skin irritation or burns. “Additionally, the combination can produce an unpleasant odor,” Vuong says.
White and distilled are types of vinegar. They differ fundamentally in their acetic acid content. White, also known as spirit vinegar, has 5% to 20% acetic acid. This is generally higher as compared to distilled vinegar's 5%-8%.