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.)
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.
But for convenience and safety, the simple solution of white vinegar and distilled water is the best DIY window cleaner. It's non-toxic, unlike most commercial cleaners, and versatile enough for several cleaning projects around the house. Plus, it's arguably the cheapest cleaner you can find!
Vinegar is non-toxic, making it perfect for cleaning your windows instead of using harsh chemicals. It is much more economical than chemical cleaning solutions. Crawling insects are also not fond of vinegar, so using this solution will help keep your windows looking cleaner for longer.
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.
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.
You'll like the vinegar scent much better. It's not overwhelming, but strong enough to know it's better than the old regular blue spray bottle. Great for glass tables, windows and bathrooms. This is my favorite windex.
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.
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.
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.
However, note that vinegar is acidic and ammonia is basic. When mixed together, they cancel each other out and removes their cleaning properties. You'll basically be creating a saltwater solution that's not cleaning your windows at all. It's best to avoid combining cleaning chemicals.
Rubbing Alcohol Windex Alternative
Mix one cup distilled water, three tablespoons vinegar, and ¼ cup rubbing alcohol in a new spray bottle and label it. Shake up your glass cleaning solution and spray it on your glass.
Use soap and water, commercial glass cleaner, or a mixture of one part white vinegar and four parts water (preferably distilled water). Avoid cleaning glass in direct sunlight to avoid streaking. Start from the top of the window and work your way down.
If streaky windows are a big issue in your home, try cleaning them with vinegar and warm water, which should leave them sparkling and streak-free. Another option is wiping them down with a newspaper, which cuts down on streaks and produces maximum shine.
You can also use water from a bucket. Then fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and completely saturate the glass. Allow it to soak for at least 10 minutes—longer if there's serious buildup. Next, dip a scrubbing sponge into baking soda and scrub the glass.
The cloudiness comes from mineral deposits and buildup or from etching, so to clean cloudy glasses, you need to use vinegar or baking soda. With these simple household staples along with some Dawn dish detergent, you'll have your glassware sparkling like the day you got it in no time flat.
“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.”
It's often best to clean windows when temperatures are between 64 degrees Fahrenheit and a temperature in the 70s. In other words, seek a day that's not overly hot. For many, this means either a day in the fall or spring or a very early morning on a cooler day in summer.
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.
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.
Use Windex® Vinegar for a streak-free shine** without the smell of ammonia. Give glass surfaces a streak-free shine. ** This product is formulated with vinegar and doesn't leave behind the smell of ammonia. It's safe to use on all glass surfaces.
Maybe vinegar is acidic enough to act as a sanitizer, but hydrogen peroxide is better at killing bacteria, fungus, and viruses. To disinfect a surface, you can use a 50/50 hydrogen peroxide and water solution. Spray it on a clean surface and let it sit for at least 5 minutes.
Porous countertop materials, like granite and marble, shouldn't be cleaned with Windex or anything else that's harsh. They are delicate, even though they seem so sturdy. Harsh chemicals can seep into the pores and leave stains or even break down the sealant on the top.