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The “recipe” for this homemade window cleaner works great on mirrors, inside windows, and outside windows. A perfect, streak-free shine!
Want to cut down on all the cleaners you have to buy at the store? You can make your own produce wash too! Or our homemade version of those luscious bath bombs. You will love them!
Featured with this recipe
- Tools Needed to Get Perfectly Clean Windows
- At Home Ingredients for Homemade Window Cleaner
- How to Make the Best Homemade Window Cleaner
- Recipe for Hard-to-Clean Windows
- Window Cleaning Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How to Store Homemade Window Cleaner
- More Ways to Help Around the House
- How to Make Homemade Window Cleaner
- Homemade Window Cleaner Recipe
No one likes dirty windows, especially when it is beautiful weather outside! This homemade window cleaner works wonders at cutting through dirt, residue, grease, and grime and leaves windows sparkling and clean. Homemade glass cleaners are just as good if not better than the leading store brands!
Unlike Windex or other store brands, this DIY window cleaner mixture is made with natural ingredients just takes a few minutes to make, and costs less than purchasing window cleaner at the store. It can also be used on other glass surfaces, granite, mirrors, and shower doors. Save money and know what you are using in your house with this window cleaning solution!
Tools Needed to Get Perfectly Clean Windows
A few tools will help get the job done quickly and efficiently using this DIY glass cleaner. Along with this homemade window cleaner recipe, all you need is a microfiber cloth or another clean cloth, a window blade, and a glass spray bottle.
You will be able to wipe away fingerprints with just a couple of strokes! You can also add a drop of lemon juice or a few drops of essential oil for a clean, fragrant scent. This glass cleaner is a favorite and used in homes and businesses. It is the best window cleaner yet!
At Home Ingredients for Homemade Window Cleaner
This homemade window cleaner is perfect around pets and kids! It is safe for around the house and better than the store-bought chemical cleaning product. It has all the pantry staples to make this over and over again!
- Jug – A clean one-gallon jug or an emptied gallon of milk or juice container works great for mixing it all together and even storing it.
- Water – Use either filtered or distilled water for less streaking.
- Rubbing alcohol – This allows quick drying as well as streak prevention. It also disinfects and is a de-greaser. It does have a strong smell to the window cleaner.
- Ammonia – Helps remove those tough stains or heavy-duty streaks on the outside of the windows.
- Dish detergent – This will help break down the grease and grime on the windows.
- Food coloring – This is optional! We like to add one drop of blue food coloring to tint the coloring of the window cleaner.
How to Make the Best Homemade Window Cleaner
This homemade window cleaner is so easy to make and comes together in minutes! Simply pour the pantry staple ingredients together and create the best window cleaner for your home.
- Water – Fill a gallon jug ¾ full with water.
- Combine – Pour in alcohol, ammonia, and dish detergent. A funnel is helpful when adding rubbing alcohol. Add 1 drop of blue food coloring. This is optional, but it helps distinguish the window cleaner from a spray bottle filled with water.
- Shake – Fill the remaining space in the jug with water, leaving about 2 inches from the top empty. Replace the lid and gently shake the jug to evenly distribute the contents.
- Fill – Using a funnel, fill the spray bottle with cleaning solution and clean away!
Recipe for Hard-to-Clean Windows
If winter does a job on my exterior windows and I have hard water stains to deal with I use a different formula. For hard-to-clean outside windows, I use another Homemade Window Cleaner. I add 2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol to 2 quarts of HOT water. Use a sponge to apply the cleaner and then a squeegee or dry cotton rag to dry it streak-free.
If there are still tough hard water stains, I use undiluted white vinegar and let it sit on the window for a few minutes before wiping it off. You’ll be amazed at how hard this cleaner works without any of the fumes or harsh chemicals.
Window Cleaning Tips
Window cleaning is not everyone’s favorite chore, but having the right cleaner makes the job easier! This homemade window cleaner will take the drudgery out of all that housework. You might even have fun!
- Early morning – Clean windows early in the morning before they are heated up by the sun. A hot window, or a window in direct sunlight, is next to impossible to clean. No matter how good the window cleaner is, they will streak. This is also something to consider when having your windows professionally cleaned. Make sure you schedule in the morning or evening when the sun isn’t going to be an issue.
- Towel – Use the right towel for the job. A microfiber glass cleaning cloth or a lint-free cotton cloth (some call this a surgical cloth) will make the job easier and faster. Avoid the temptation to use paper towels or newspapers. These can scratch windows and leave streaks.
- Distilled water – Instead of tap or filtered water try using distilled water. This is known to help reduce streaks.
- Essential oils – Make it smell even better with your favorite essential oil. Add a drop or two for a smell you love!
- Label – It is best to label your spray bottle so you will know what type of solution you are using. This will also help to add the date to know when the bottle is expired or diluted and needs to be refreshed.
- Frames and sills – Spray the homemade window cleaner on the frames and sills of your windows on the inside. This will help release the dust, dirt, and grime from those places and give your window an uplift!
“Own my own cleaning buisness so I’ve done my share of cleaning! This window cleaner recipe cleans the windows better than Windex!”
-L
Frequently Asked Questions
It is best to check a small part of the window before doing the entire window with the window cleaner. You can also check with the manufacturer before to ensure the DIY cleaner is okay to use.
This depends on your location, climate, and personal preference of what you want to do as well as how much time you have. Regular cleaning is encouraged but understand the time is not always there.
Yes! This is great to use on mirrors and most places that Windex is used.
Use a lint-free cloth, newspaper, or towel that is soft when wiping away the cleaner. It is best to avoid direct sunlight too!
How to Store Homemade Window Cleaner
Storing homemade window cleaner is a nice way to have it on hand more than once. It is easy to store in under the sink or in a pantry. The chemicals will stay fresh and ready for a few months at time.
- Container – Choose a sealed container that will store the window cleaner without leaking. Pour the contents into a labeled spray bottle.
- Storing – Place in a cool, dark area where the window cleaner can sit. Having direct sunlight on the cleaner will evaporate or change colors.
- Label – Always label your at-home chemicals. This ensures you are properly using the correct spray cleaner as well as knowing when you made it and if it needs to be refreshed.
More Ways to Help Around the House
Keep your house clean, organized, and healthy with these DIY ideas! Organize your home the right way with the right products, make homemade baby wipes for those you love but also clean up around the house, and learn to wash your produce with ingredients you know.
How to Make Homemade Window Cleaner
Ingredients
- 1 clean gallon jug an emptied gallon of milk or juice container works great!
- water
- 1 pint rubbing alcohol
- 2 Tablespoons ammonia
- 1 teaspoon liquid dish detergent
- 1 drop blue food coloring* optional
Instructions
- Fill a gallon jug ¾ full with water.
- Add alcohol, ammonia, and dish detergent. A funnel is helpful when adding rubbing alcohol. Add 1 drop of blue food coloring. This is optional, but it helps distinguish the window cleaner from a spray bottle filled with water.
- Fill the remaining space in the jug with water, leaving about 2 inches from the top empty. Replace the lid and gently shake the jug to evenly distribute the contents.
- Using a funnel, fill the spray bottle with cleaning solution and clean away!
Equipment
- Spray bottle
Own my own cleaning buisness so I’ve done my share of cleaning! This window cleaner recipe cleans the windows better than Windex!
Made it today. It turned out perfectly. Thanks for all your tips and detailed explanations.
Ran out of windex and made this recipe with things I already had at home! Who knew how easy it is to make your own window cleaner! Thanks for the recipe and tips!
I can’t remember the last time I bought window cleaner. Homemade is the way to go! Great recipe!
I can’t wait to try this! It looks easy and cheap to make!
This turned out perfect! I’ll never buy windex again. Thanks so much for sharing!