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.
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.)
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're all about the DIY life, we've got just the thing for you. 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.
Use a cleaning solution: Like Glass-Rite cleaner! Or we also recommend a simple solution of equal parts vinegar and water, a Windex solution in water is good also. Do not use glass cleaners that are ammonia or alcohol based. They may leave streaks or make a film that attracts moisture or dust.
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.
“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.
Cleaning glass is more about the tools than the elbow grease. Even if you do exactly the right things, like mixing vinegar with distilled water and wiping with newspaper, it's possible to end up with a frustrating streak or three. In that case, the simplest solution is to finish the job with a quick buff.
Whether you are out of name brand glass cleaner or you want to use a more natural cleaner, vinegar works wonders on windows. 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.
To make the solution is simple and easy on the wallet! Pour equal parts of vinegar and Dawn into a spray bottle. Gently shake, then spray liberally onto the surface to be cleaned. I have found the best results is when I use it to clean chrome shower and sink fixtures.
For use around the home, combine vinegar with water in a 1:1 solution to clean and freshen many surfaces. Use this solution on glass, windows, walls, cupboards, floors, sinks, stovetops and coffee makers.
To get streak-free windows, mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a bucket. Then, dip a standard mop or a microfiber cloth in the cleaning solution, and wipe down the window's surface. To dry the windows, use a rubber squeegee in straight motions from top to bottom.
Should You Spray Vinegar Around Windows? Windows are one of the primary ways insects invade your home. You can deter some common pests, especially ants, by spraying vinegar on and around your windows. Ants can fit through the smallest gaps in window screens or even between the screen and frame.
Rather than mixing your homemade window cleaner in a spray bottle, combine 1 part vinegar with 1 part hot water in a bucket, and follow these steps to clean your windows: Soak a sponge in the cleaning solution. Dampen the window with the sponge, but don't drench the glass.
Cleaning vinyl windows is safe and easy for the environment. There are two ways you choose to clean them: use one-half cup vinegar mixed into three cups of warm water or mix a small amount of dish soap with water.
Vinegar can be a great cleaning solution for floors, counters, and tiles – but remember, you shouldn't use it on natural stone (like granite or marble) or natural wood (like hardwood flooring or wooden furniture).
Is there any harm in trying vinegar, though? Vinegar is fine to use on food and when mixed with water, juice, or another liquid is safe to drink. However, with a pH between 2.4 and 3.3, vinegar is acidic enough to erode tooth enamel, inflame the esophagus and stomach, and trigger nausea and acid reflux.
Why do you not stir in vinegar? If you followed the instructions above on how to cook vinegar, you might notice the comment that there's no need to stir. By not stirring the vinegar into the dish just yet, the vinegar is not distributed throughout the dish, making it more difficult to cook the vinegar.
While Windex is an excellent window cleaner, you have other options if you find yourself in a pinch. I highly recommend cleaning your windows with white distilled vinegar and water. However, if you don't, vinegar, alcohol, Clorox wipes, and dish soap are all decent options.
But, that right there is your problem. Paper towel is the number one culprit of leaving behind streaks and lint. Paper towels are typically treated for absorbency, which makes them ideal for spills, but awful for glass cleaning. Instead, substitute your paper towels for something more practical, like actual cloth.