DIY Streak-Free Window Cleaner
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I’m definitely not someone who makes a ton of her own cleaning products (I talk more about this where I share my favorite household cleaners!).
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??
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
- 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.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
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!
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.
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.
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?
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.
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. 🙂
Amazing work. I love chemical free staffs. Let me try this, I guess it will work for me better
I would like to add lavender oil to the mix. Would that work?
I don’t know if that would work or not. I’m not sure how it would interact with the other ingredients.
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 😊
Keeping bugs away is definitely a bonus!
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.
★★★★★
So glad you love it!
Thank you so much for this homemade window cleaner!!! So happy with my windows. Literally squeaky clean. They’ve never looked this good.
★★★★★
So glad you loved it!
This Is great. Never buying windex again. Thank you so much!!
Glad you like it!
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!
Hope it worked out really well! We just used it this morning on our RV windows. 🙂
I was out of windex and found this recipe on Google. Tried it and it worked great. After you wipe away the cloudiness you have a fabulous streak free window or mirror.
I’m so glad it worked for you!
I have a question, do you use paper towels or microfiber towel? Or does one of these work better than the other?
★★★★★
I like to use paper towels, but some people swear by microfiber!
Will this work in a car washing fluid..without eating paint..
I’m not sure that would work well!
This worked great! I used a microfiber cloth and my windows look so nice and clean. I won’t need to buy window cleaner ever again.
★★★★★
I’m so glad it worked well for you!
Amazing. Cleaned all the streaks that I had on my glass from other glass cleaners. If it cost more I would still use it.
My glass squeaked for the first time in a long time.
That’s amazing!! So glad it worked for you.
I really liked this because not only was it effective, but I also appreciate abstaining from the use of ammonia. I moved into a house my husband had been living in already and the windows hadn’t been washed in a very long time (this is not all on him, because I’m not exactly the best housekeeper myself). Regardless, I really liked this stuff. It was also really good at getting small, more solid spots off the window and I could definitely see the difference! I can’t say I did a comparison with Windex, but I have had unpleasant experiences while using ammonia with other cleaning products, so I would say that this solution worked just as well (at the very least) as Windex. Thanks a lot!
★★★★★
I tried this last night and my table actually sparkled! I will share this with my daughter.
I’m so glad it worked well for you!
Used it today on sliding door and bathroom mirror. Fast; the streak free part comes really easy when after scrubbing and a partial dry with paper towel use crumpled newspaper for the final dry and polish. I was looking for a cleaner that was acidic as the treatment on my cars windows calls for a acid based cleaner. Most detailer’s cleaner ( way more expensive) are neutral or base so this is perfect. Knowing how well this works I will now read through the rest of your household tips.. Thank you!
★★★★★
I’m so glad this worked out well for you!