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. Invest in a glass spray bottle to mix up your formula.
Today's cleaning chemicals are just too abrasive, and they can cause corrosion and discoloration on historic metal window frames. Instead, use an ammonia-free solution and warm water to remove dirt. Do seek professional advice. Some windows are best left to professional cleaners.
In the past, I've used a soapy solution composed of 45% water, 45% rubbing alcohol, and 10% sudsy ammonia. I can tell you this formula works extremely well, and leaves the windows sparkling clean.
Apply a drop of distilled white vinegar to the cloudy glass and rub a small area with a microfiber cloth. If the area is clear when the glass is dry, you will be able to clean away the cloudiness. If it is still cloudy, the glass is permanently etched. Use a sharp edge to gently scrape the cloudy area of the glass.
In a spray bottle, combine 2 cups of white vinegar, 2 cups of water, and 5 drops of concentrated dish soap. Give it a good shake to thoroughly mix the ingredients. The vinegar is an acid and will help break up any mineral or hard water deposits. The dish soap helps to soften up the grime and gently remove dirt.
Take baking soda and a little water and mix them in a small bowl to create a cleaning paste for your windows. Then use a dry cloth and use it to scrub the hard water stains with the paste. The abrasive quality of the baking soda will aid in removing hard water stains from your window.
Baking soda is a master at cutting through some pretty gnarly stuff, including mineral deposits. Create a paste of equal parts baking of baking soda and Dawn dish soap. Cover all the cloudiness with the paste. Let it sit for about 15 minutes.
Rub the glass with a slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Wipe with room-temperature water to which you've added a small amount of mild detergent or a few drops of ammonia. Wipe with a solution of three parts water to one part vinegar. Wipe with equal parts water and ethanol.
Spray clean water on the window and attempt to wipe off the grime. Loose dust and dirt will likely be removed by simple water. After you've done that, you can move to something stronger. Mix a few drops of dish soap into the water.
Window cleaning professionals suggest avoiding window washing on very sunny days or at a time when a window is in direct sunlight, as the heat may cause the glass to dry too quickly and cause smears.
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.
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.
Don't use harsh chemicals or ammonia-based cleaners. These products can damage the integrity of your glass. Likewise, you should avoid ammonia and alcohol-based cleaners as they can leave streaks and make your glass look dirty.
Vinegar eats through grime because it is an acid. Other acids, like lemon juice, will also work, but vinegar is cheaper and more easily available. Baking soda is a very cheap, efficient abrasive-it can easily scrub off many types of buildup, including hard water stains, mildew, and soap scum .
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.
A typical solution used by professionals is 3/4 cup clear ammonia or white vinegar, 1 gallon of water and 2 to 4 teaspoons blue Dawn dishwashing liquid combined in a bucket.
Sodium bicarbonate and acetic acid reacts to carbon dioxide, water and sodium acetate. The solid baking soda was placed in liquid vinegar producing carbon dioxide gas, which is evident because of the formation of bubbles in the foaming mixture.
Adding a little baking soda will make windows shine. Straight vinegar will remove decals and sticky spots from windows and other glass. Hydrogen peroxide can be used in a ratio of four cups of water to one-half cup hydrogen peroxide. Not only does it clean but it disinfects glass and other surfaces.
You can clean water marks off of clear glass with CLR® Calcium, Lime & Rust Remover.
How to Remove Calcium Buildup. White vinegar, baking soda and even a lemon can be used to get rid of pesky calcium stains. Many homemakers already use vinegar to help clean difficult areas. It's also helpful when addressing hard water stains or calcium buildup.
For really tough hard water stains, try scrubbing with some hydrogen peroxide. Yep, the same stuff you have in your first aid kit. Hydrogen peroxide plus some elbow grease should banish even the most stubborn of hard water spots from your metal fixtures.