Window Cleaning Recipes
Yes, you can make your own homemade window cleaner.
If you haven't played chemist since your sophomore year in high school, following one of these window cleaner recipes will surely bring back fond memories.
You'll have clean, streak-free windows and you'll be able to tell your kids that yes, in fact, you do use what you learned in high school.
Word of Caution:
Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia or rubbing alcohol. Adding bleach to any of the solutions below will not make a better cleaning solution.
Bleach mixed with vinegar, ammonia or rubbing alcohol creates chlorine gas, which is extremely dangerous, harmful or even fatal.
Vinegar and Water:
Vinegar is a powerful acidic cleaner that dissolves dirt, grease and grime.
It's also non-toxic, which means it's safe to use around children and pets. To make your own window cleaner with vinegar, mix the following in a large spray bottle.
- 1 cup distilled white vinegar
- 1 cup water
Spray on your windows and wash and dry thoroughly with a lint-free cloth or chamois.
Ammonia and White Vinegar:
Some people feel that cleaning windows with vinegar alone leads to streaking. If you feel the way they do, you can add ammonia to the mix and see if you like the results better.
- 1 cup distilled white vinegar
- 1/4 cup non-sudsy ammonia
- 1 cup water
Bear in mind, however, that this solution toxic. Make sure you keep it out of the reach of small children and pets.
Rubbing Alcohol and Vinegar:
If your windows are especially dirty, you can combine rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) with vinegar and water.
Alcohol cuts through greasy fingerprints better than pure vinegar and it evaporates quickly, reducing the chance of streaks. Get a spray bottle and mix the following ingredients.
- 1 cup rubbing alcohol
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 1 cup water
Once again, this solution is toxic. And, watch to ensure that the solution does not come into contact with woodwork, as the alcohol could damage it.
Label your Products:
Make sure to label all spray bottles immediately after creating the solutions and keep out of the reach of small children and pets.
Wash and dry all of the windows on which you'll be using your own window-cleaning recipe with a lint-free cloth or chamois.
By making your own window cleaner, you'll save a couple bucks, use more earth friendly cleaning products, and have a few recipes to share with your friends.
