How to Make a Simple and Effective Homemade Window Cleaner
With all the rooms in your home to clean, sometimes windows don’t get as much attention as they should. Over time, this can lead to dust, streaks, and smudges that only gets worse if untreated.
Window cleaners, however, don’t have to cost a lot of money. In fact, you can make your own homemade window cleaner that’s safe, cost-effective, and eco-friendly. Read on to discover some of our favorite ways to make homemade glass cleaner
Safety Precautions When Making a Homemade Window Cleaner
Before you get those windows shining, you need to know what to look out for when you go ingredient shopping. When you’re making your DIY glass cleaner, it’s important to avoid mixing these chemicals as they can be dangerous when inhaled.
Avoid mixing the following:
Bleach and vinegar. When mixed, these ingredients create chlorine gas, which can cause breathing problems and irritate your eyes.
Bleach and rubbing alcohol. This combination is especially dangerous and can harm your kidneys, brain, and liver.
Even though most of these cleaning solutions are environmentally friendly, they might be harsh on your skin. If you’re sensitive to any of the ingredients mentioned, wear gloves when cleaning your windows.
It’s also important to keep your rubbing alcohol out of easy-to-reach places as it’s highly flammable and could be dangerous, especially if your kids get their hands on it.
Additionally, if you’re planning to reuse a spray bottle while making these homemade glass cleaners be sure to thoroughly clean them before making a new batch. Mixing of leftover chemicals and solutions may cause a toxic reaction.
What You’ll Need
In general, you should be able to find most of these ingredients in your pantry. However, if you don’t have them at home, they are very easy to find at your local grocery store.
Below, you’ll find three different homemade window cleaner recipes to try out today:
Homemade Cleaner Materials
Create your homemade glass cleaner using the following ingredients:
Rubbing Alcohol
White Vinegar
Dish Soap
Water
Essential Oil (optional)
Tools You’ll Need
These tools will help with cleaning your windows. Bonus: it also works to help clean mirrors.
Spray Bottle
Viva® Signature Cloth™ to help remove grime and grease from your windows.
Measuring Cups
Labels
Bucket
Rubber Gloves
Instructions
Follow these glass window cleaner recipes to create your own cleaning solution.
Rubbing Alcohol Solution: Mix ¼ cup of rubbing alcohol with 2-3 tablespoons of vinegar and one cup of water. Add this to your spray bottle and label it if you plan on making multiple cleaning solutions.
Dish Soap Window Cleaning Solution: This cleaning solution is especially effective when it comes to removing those grimy streaks from your glass surfaces. Fill your bucket with hot water and add a few drops of your dishwashing detergent of choice.
Vinegar Cleaning Solution: Another excellent grime-cutting DIY window cleaner, using vinegar with a dash of your favorite essential oil will not only brighten your windows but also leave them smelling divine. Using a scent like lemon in the summer will add that extra fresh oomph. To make the cleaning solution, combine 2 cups of water with ½ a cup of vinegar and a few drops of essential oil.
Pro tip: Label your spray bottles if you make more than one of these homemade glass cleaners. It is also helpful to add the date, so you know when the solutions were made.
Tips to Cleaning Your Windows
This step-by-step guide will leave your windows and glass surfaces dust and grime-free. Use this homemade window cleaner to help clean your windows as well as your car windows. Bonus: use it on your shower doors and mirrors!
Step 1: Thoroughly remove any dust from your windows and its frame. This ensures that once you apply your solution you won’t smear any dust around it. Use your paper towels to effectively trap mess thanks to its micro texture, leaving your glass surfaces dust-free.
Step 2: Apply a liberal amount of your chosen homemade window cleaner to the glass surface. If you’re using the dish soap cleaning solution, dip your paper towel into the solution, wiping it all over the window. Once you’re done, rinse it off in clean water and remove the cleaning solution from your window.
Step 3: Use your paper towel to wipe the DIY glass cleaner from your windows or glass surfaces. Do this until they are dry and streak-free. Follow these steps for cleaning the inside and outside of your windows.
Leave your Home Dust and Dirt-Free with Viva®
Make every part of your home shine with help from Viva® Paper Towels. With superior cleaning power, Viva® Signature Cloth™ is designed to help make your windows shine as they work to effectively tackle grime, and dirt.
Visit our Advice Page for more even more homemade cleaning solutions!
