Professional window washers generally rely on basic liquid dish soap, heavily favoring Blue Dawn for its powerful grease-cutting suds and slip. However, for commercial purposes or to prevent hard water stains, many pros switch to specialized, industry-grade concentrates.
Professional window cleaners use a solution made from dish soap and water to achieve a streak-free clean. The key is to use a small amount of soap and distilled water. Some professionals add ammonia to the water for increased cleaning power.
Professional window cleaners use specialized concentrates that prioritize squeegee glide, hard-water management, and streak-free drying. Unlike household triggers, pros mix super-concentrated soaps with water in buckets to wash and squeegee large panes quickly.
Dawn as a substitute glass cleaner
One of the most effective ways to clean glass is dish soap – it's what professional window cleaners use when cleaning exterior windows. Dish soap can remove stuck-on dirt and cuts any hazy build-up. It also works well on cloudy mirrors.
Professional window cleaners use a combination of high-quality tools like squeegees, water-fed poles, and microfibre cloths, along with effective solutions such as dish soap and professional-grade cleaners.
Yes, a mixture of vinegar and Dawn dish soap is highly effective, inexpensive, and a great DIY alternative to commercial window cleaners. The vinegar cuts through grime and prevents water spots, while the Dawn cuts grease and provides the perfect lubrication for a squeegee to glide across the glass.
What Should You Not Clean Glass With?
Most homeowners think that the best way to clean their windows is with a popular glass cleaner, but the best glass cleaning solution is a pre-mixed vinegar based solution that does not contain ammonia or alcohol. You can create your own vinegar solution by mixing one cup of white vinegar with 10 cups of water.
Yes, you can absolutely mix Dawn and vinegar. It creates a highly effective, inexpensive DIY cleaning solution favored for cutting through soap scum, hard water stains, and grease.
For the best streak-free clean, mix 2 cups distilled water, 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar, and 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap (like Dawn) in a spray bottle. Vinegar cuts through grime, while the water and soap allow a squeegee to glide smoothly without leaving any residue.
For streak-free windows, the best soaps are specialized solutions like Ettore Squeegee-Off or professional-grade cleaners like Unger EasyGlide, which offer excellent lubrication for squeegees. For a simple, affordable, and effective method, mix a few drops of Dawn dish soap with water.
A simple, highly effective DIY mixture of 1 part distilled white vinegar and 1 part warm water cleans windows better, costs less, and avoids leaving behind the chemical residue that causes traditional blue cleaners to streak. Add 2-3 drops of Dawn dish soap for greasy glass.
Start by mixing one part vinegar to 10 parts water in a spray bottle. Then, spray the solution onto the window and use a microfibre cloth to wipe away dirt and grime. For tougher stains, use a soft-bristled brush to scrub away the dirt. Once you've finished cleaning, use a squeegee to remove any excess liquid.
To make an effective, streak-free window cleaner, mix 2 cups of warm water with 1/4 cup of white vinegar and just 1/2 teaspoon of Dawn dish soap in a spray bottle. The dish soap breaks down grease and dirt, while the vinegar cuts through grime and prevents streaking.
Remove built-up scum, algae and grime on exterior windows using an old, wet towel and a bucket of water with a drop or two of dish detergent mixed in. Dry windows using a microfiber cloth.
While white vinegar is an excellent natural cleaner, its acidity means it can damage certain surfaces, strip finishes, or cause rust. You should generally avoid using it on:
Mix equal parts of water, Dawn dish soap, and apple cider vinegar. The vinegar attracts the gnats and the dawn and water kills them!
The ultimate lazy shower hack is the "Shower and Soak" method. Mix equal parts distilled white vinegar and original blue Dawn dish soap in a soap-dispensing dish brush. Keep it in your shower, and while your hair conditioner sits, give the walls a quick scrub. Rinse as you shower for a perpetually clean bathroom.
Let it sit for 10-20 minutes. The vinegar will help loosen the residue, so you can wipe it away more easily. Bird droppings or other tough grime: pre-soak the area with a vinegar solution and allow it to soften before scrubbing with a damp microfiber cloth.
Hotels typically use a combination of acidic cleaners, such as commercial soap scum removers, distilled white vinegar, or heavy-duty hard water stain removers. These are paired with non-scratch scrubbers and microfiber cloths, then finished with a squeegee to prevent streaks and mineral build-up.
The best homemade window cleaner is a simple mix of distilled water, white vinegar, and a tiny drop of dish soap. This natural, streak-free formula cuts through grease and hard water stains without relying on harsh ammonia-based chemicals.
Corrosion by acids:
While glass provides excellent resistance to most acids, there are three types which cause significant damage – hydrofluoric acid, phosphoric acid, and phosphorus acids. When glass is attacked by these acids, especially when they are concentrated solutions, corrosion can occur quickly.
Professional window cleaners skip the heavy retail sprays and rely on a mix of dish soap (like Dawn) and water for cleaning, combined with professional-grade tools like a squeegee and microfiber cloth to get a flawless, streak-free shine.
Using Windex on a glass top stove is not recommended. While it seems logical since it is glass, the ammonia in traditional glass cleaners is too harsh. It can permanently streak, stain, or etch the fragile ceramic surface, and releasing ammonia fumes is a safety hazard if a burner is accidentally turned on.