Many leading window cleaning products contain ammonia because it is widely considered the best surfactant that gets the job done without leaving streaks. For that reason, many householders and commercial cleaners demand glass cleaners containing ammonia, such as Windex®.
They utilize various soaps and detergents, including dish soap like Dawn, and may add additives such as vinegar, ammonia, or rubbing alcohol to enhance their cleaning solutions. Outside windows often benefit from these specialized cleaning solutions, which are designed to handle tougher dirt and grime.
Alcohol and glycol ethers are common solvents used in window cleaners. Then there are chelating agents. These components bind with minerals in water to prevent streaking on your windows, offering you the crystal-clear finish you desire. Finally, fragrances and dyes are often added to improve the user experience.
The major ingredient in liquid glass cleaners is water. Almost all of the glass cleaners contain glycol ethers, usually ethylene glycol monobutyl ether. Alcohol, such as isopropanol, is also commonly found, as well as ammonia.
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.
To the original proportion, 2 cups water to half a teaspoon Dawn, simply add a quarter cup of white vinegar for a powerhouse cleaning combo.
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.)
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a bucket (you can also make it in a spray bottle). Optional: add a few drops of dish soap to help cut through grease and grime. Use a dry microfiber cloth to remove dust or dirt from the window surfaces.
Professional window cleaners typically use either a white vinegar solution or a commercial hard water stain remover to clean hard water stains on windows.
Professional window cleaners like Window Genie are trained and experienced in this battle. Window Genie uses a polishing paste specifically designed to fight the minerals that create these stains. The paste is applied to a non-abrasive cleaning pad and the window is lightly scrubbed.
The ammonia you'll find in Windex and other window cleaners is a called ammonium hydroxide or ammonia solution — commonly called ammonia-D.
Professional window cleaners usually carry a supply bucket of large disposable cloths to wipe your windows dry made in a specialized cloth that doesn't leave streaks or lint on your windows. An alternative to this is the squeegee.
Can You Use Dish Soap for Window Cleaning? Professional window cleaners often use dish soaps like Dawn or Joy to help their window cleaning squeegees glide.
Dawn dish soaps are great for cleaning exterior windows because of their cleaning properties. Using dish soap on outside windows can help remove any caked-on dirt and grime.
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.
As a company, it puts staff at risk of potential, life-changing and even threatening injuries. Safety alone, nobody should use ladders to clean windows when equipment on the market offers a safe alternative. Water Fed Pole is 100% the safest option as the operator's feet never leave the ground.
Professional window cleaners generally rely on purified or deionised water. This type of water has been treated to remove minerals and impurities, resulting in a cleaner rinse that won't leave streaks or water spots.
The dish soap based solution I use for streak-free windows
To begin, I mixed two cups of water with 1/2 teaspoon of dish detergent and 1/4 cup of white vinegar, enough to cover the windows at the front of my home.
Too Much Soap in the Solution
Well, window cleaner, this can absolutely apply to your soap solution. Your windows could be looking murky because you're using way too much of the good stuff. When it comes to concentrate, a little goes a long way, even if you're using regular dish soap.
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 don't have white vinegar on hand, you can substitute it with lemon juice.
Vinegar has a very low pH level which means it's very acidic, so it can corrode some surfaces over time. For example, using vinegar on natural stone like granite or marble can dull and scratch the surface and it can corrode surfaces like unsealed grout, window seals, and fridge and dishwasher gaskets.
The acidic composition of white vinegar works efficiently to break down the film that can accumulate on your windows. For a basic vinegar cleaning solution, we recommend mixing one part distilled vinegar to 10 parts warm water in a spray bottle. Label the container and save leftovers for future use.