Homemade Window Washing Cleaner Recipes

If the thought of paying for expensive window washing solution pains you as much as the thought of actually cleaning the windows, you’ll be happy to know that there are alternatives.

Before there were countless window washing solution products available, our grandmothers were making their own. Often, these were just as effective, if not more effective, than the window washing solutions that you can buy in stores.

Here are some basic recipes for homemade window washing solution:

Homemade Recipes:

Vinegar Cleaner:

• 1 cup water
• 1 1/2 TBS white vinegar
• 1/4 tsp liquid dish detergent

Alcohol Cleaner:

• 1 cup 70% isopropyl (rubbing alcohol)
• 1/4 cup ammonia
• 1 tsp liquid dish detergent
• 7 cups water

Dish Detergent:

• 8 cups water
• 1/8 cup white vinegar
• 1 tsp dish detergent

Ammonia Cleaner:

• 1 TBSP cornstarch
• 1/4 cup ammonia
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 8 cups water

Tips for Cleaning Windows:

Even though vinegar and ammonia make for great homemade window washing solutions, they can dry out window seals, especially the rubber or silicon sealants found on most home windows. That means your window seals might start to crack eventually and you’ll need to replace them sooner.

Instead of cleaning right away with vinegar and/or ammonia-based solutions, first clean the windows with a soap and water solution. Once you have removed the majority of the debris, and then use the homemade window washing solution for the final step.

In addition to a homemade window washing solution, you can use crumpled up newspapers to clean your windows. Don’t be stingy with them though!

You will want to make sure that you are using a dry newspaper page for each wipe. Otherwise, you might end up with ink on your newly cleaned windows! You can also use cut-up old clothes for the final wipes to get any streaks off the windows.

Always use warm water when making your homemade window washing solution, especially if using a solution, which has liquid dish soap. This will help get off those stubborn bits of debris on the windows.

Avoid washing windows when the glass is hot or the sun is directly shinning on the glass. The heat and sunlight will make the window washing solution dry faster and you will be left with streaks.

Before you start cleaning windows, make sure that you are also cleaning the windowsills and frames too. The windows will not stay clean for long if the dust and debris from around them are dirty!

In addition, if you are doing a lot of cleaning, you will want to save washing the windows for last. That way no dust will be lifted up onto your newly cleaned windows.

Don’t forget about your tools! Cheap plastic squirt bottles are great for holding window washing solution. However, make sure that you are always labeling them (or any other bottles with homemade cleansers) to avoid any risks with the chemicals.

You will also want a good pair of fitted gloves to make sure that your hands don’t smell like vinegar all day.