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I've experimented with different recipes in the past—I use my multi-purpose cleaner for just about everything—but there's certain brands I stick with because they work, and work really well. Why mess with a good thing, right?
Well, a couple months ago when I ran out of Windex, I decided to try my hand at a homemade solution. Not because it was cheaper, necessarily {although it totally is}, more so because I was simply lazy. I didn't want to drive to the store just so I could finish cleaning the bathrooms!
This recipe uses just three ingredients, and all of them are found right at home. It also cleans MUCH better than Windex. Whereas the blue liquid left me with streaky windows, this one leaves absolute nothing but sparkling glass panes behind. It goes on a little cloudy, but then magically wipes clear—it's pretty amazing stuff!
I guarantee that once you try it, you'll never go back to the store-bought window cleaners again. I mean…why would you even want to when they're this cheap, and this good??
Your Spotless Home Awaits
Supplies Needed:
- 3 tbsp white vinegar
- 2 tbsp rubbing alcohol
- Approximately 1 1/2 cups water
- 16oz bottle {I am in love with the glass bottles from Grove Collaborative right now}
The Project:
Step 1: Pour vinegar and rubbing alcohol into 16oz spray bottle using a funnel. Otherwise it gets a little messy!
Step 2: Fill bottle with water and shake to mix.
Step 3: Clean those dirty windows and mirrors!
Print
DIY Streak-Free Window Cleaner
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 16oz Spray Bottle
- 3 tbsp white vinegar
- 2 tbsp rubbing alcohol
- Approximately 1 1/2 cups water
Instructions
- Pour vinegar and rubbing alcohol into 16oz bottle.
- Fill bottle with water, cover, and shake to mix.
Total Cost: $0.12/16oz bottle
It is CRAZY how dirt cheap this stuff is. Granted, a $3.00 bottle every few months won't set anyone back, but still, how can you pass up a such a good, inexpensive product? I certainly can't—at least not anymore!
If you liked this post, I have even more cleaning and organizing goodies for you:
- 31 Household Hacks to Clean, Streamline and Organize Your Home
5 Tools I Use to Organize My Entire Life- How to Get Mildew Smell Out of Clothes – a super easy trick!
I also wrote a workbook called, The Modern Girl’s Guide to Homemaking, which shows you how to run a successful home in the 21st century. It’s the resource I WISH I had when I first learned how to manage a home!
Have you ever tried making homemade cleaners before?
Disclosure: Some of the links in the post above are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. Read my full disclosure policy here.
Kristen @ Joyfully Thriving says
Hmm. That’s so interesting! I’ve used regular vinegar to clean my windows before, but never diluted and with rubbing alcohol! I’m going to have to give this a try.
Kalyn Brooke says
I don’t think you’ll be dissapointed, Kristen. I still can’t get over how well it works!
I’ve never used straight vinegar before, does it work really well?
Ramona @ Personal Finance Today says
Most importantly, it’s ‘chemical’ free, compared to a lot of the stuff we buy from the store. I’m not that into natural stuff, but it makes sense to create your own solution, when it’s that simple and inexpensive.
Kalyn Brooke says
Totally agree, Ramona. So often the natural stuff ends up being so expensive {although I’ve found some things through Grove that I’m liking}. Simple and inexpensive are two of my favorite words. 🙂
Fahim Ahsan says
Amazing work. I love chemical free staffs. Let me try this, I guess it will work for me better
Peggy Flowers says
I would like to add lavender oil to the mix. Would that work?
Kalyn Brooke says
I don’t know if that would work or not. I’m not sure how it would interact with the other ingredients.
Lina says
I’ve been using vinegar for years … but just straight, no water or alcohol. Windows, wood floors (I attach a damp cloth to my swiffer head mop and spray the vinegar on the cloth), counter-tops (most ants and bugs hate it — bonus!), tile floors, mirrors, glass patio tables, and especially cutting boards in the kitchen. Cleans and disinfects, plus it dries in a flash. I also wipe off my patio chairs with vinegar – helps keep spiders and ants away 😊
Kalyn Brooke says
Keeping bugs away is definitely a bonus!
Jen says
Used Windex for years. Finally, I realized the result was a mess. I had streaked, cloudy windows after all my effort. Tried the first ‘recipe’ here and love it. You don’t mind cleaning windows so much, when the result is so great.
★★★★★
Kalyn Brooke says
So glad you love it!
Elizabeth says
Thank you so much for this homemade window cleaner!!! So happy with my windows. Literally squeaky clean. They’ve never looked this good.
★★★★★
Kalyn Brooke says
So glad you loved it!
Ahisha says
This Is great. Never buying windex again. Thank you so much!!
Kalyn Brooke says
Glad you like it!
Paul says
Neat, I’ve mixed vinegar, baking soda and water for cleaning but haven’t tried rubbing alcohol yet, will give this a whirl tomorrow because I’ve got some pretty dirty windows to attend to. Thanks!
Kalyn Brooke says
Hope it worked out really well! We just used it this morning on our RV windows. 🙂