Sparkling Solutions: Master the Art of Homemade Window Cleaning
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Are you tired of spending money on expensive store-bought window cleaners packed with harsh chemicals? Embrace the homesteading and sustainable living spirit by creating your own effective and eco-friendly solution! With just a few common household ingredients, you can achieve streak-free windows while keeping your family, pets, and the environment safe. I have been making our own glass cleaner for over a year now and honestly would never go back! I also make our own all purpose cleaner which I will be posting soon! It will be linked HERE once it's posted! Without further ado lets get into how to make your own glass cleaner!
Ingredients You'll Need:
White vinegar (or lemon juice)
Liquid dish soap - We use Dr. Bronner's the scent I switch up every so often but I am currently obsessed with the Eucalyptus Scent for our glass cleaner and all purpose cleaner.
Warm water
Optional: essential oils for a pleasant scent - We only use essential oils occasionally to enhance the scent but since switching over to Dr. Bronner's Eucalyptus, Citrus, Lavender or Peppermint we haven't use essential oils for ours.
Step 1: Mix the Homemade Window Cleaner
In a spray bottle, combine:
¼ cup of white vinegar (or lemon juice)
½ teaspoon of dish soap
2 cups of warm water
Optional: Add 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil to mask the vinegar scent. (If Using essential oils THIS is the brand that I use.)
Step 2: Clean Your Windows
Spray the homemade cleaner onto your windows and use a lint-free or microfiber cloth to wipe the glass surface. Another fun hack if in a pinch is to use a coffee filter! Avoid materials that leave streaks, as the cleaner will dry quickly, leaving behind a crystal-clear shine.
Why This Homemade Cleaner Works
White vinegar's acidity helps remove dirt and grease, while dish soap tackles stubborn debris. Lemon juice can be used as a substitute for vinegar. Essential oils not only add a pleasant scent but some even possess antibacterial properties. Warm water aids in effectively lifting dirt particles.
Helpful Tips for Cleaning Windows
Dust windows before cleaning to avoid smearing dirt.
Clean windows on cloudy days to prevent streaks from drying too quickly.
Pay attention to cleaning tracks and frames to avoid smudging the glass. - I HIGHLY recommend cleaning your window sills, tracks and frames monthly or quarterly. We clean ours monthly but because we have really bad hail, and rain storms as well as a decent amount of dusty sand in our yard. The interior between the human and fur babies not cleaning them monthly isn't an option haha!
Clean windows both inside and outside at least twice a year, ideally four times per year.
Another really good alternative to having to clean your windows inside and out is to hire a company to do it for you. I am lucky enough to have a husband who owns a company that offers this service. Four times a year I do in fact hire Stratum Property Solutions to clean our windows on the outside, as well as pressure wash our driveway, roof, driveway, back patio etc. as quarterly property maintenance. So if you are looking for someone to do your exterior of your windows, gutter cleaning, pressure washing, roof cleaning or any other property maintenance, and are in the Central Texas Area be sure to reach out to Stratum Property Solutions! But don't let that scare you away from doing it yourself! You are totally capable of doing it if you aren't scared of getting up on a ladder to do those exterior windows!
Safety Precautions
While homemade cleaners are eco-friendly, never mix vinegar with chlorine bleach, as it produces toxic chlorine gas. Avoid ammonia-based cleaners that can leave streaks or foggy spots, especially on car windows.
A question I ALWAYS get is "Can rubbing alcohol substitute vinegar?" and the answer is Absolutely! Mix 1½ cups of water, 1½ cups of rubbing alcohol, and 2 tablespoons of white vinegar (if available) in a spray bottle for an alternative window cleaning solution. I have added alcohol to mine before especially when I have been low on white vinegar and in a pinch. I have also added it to our all purpose cleaner but don't feel it is necessary and our son constantly complains about the smell so normally just forgo it.
This natural homemade window cleaner recipe provides a safe and effective solution for clear and streak-free windows. Take it one step at a time and consider cleaning windows in sections to manage the workload. Don't forget to clean exterior windows and screens regularly for a wholesome and fulfilling lifestyle. Enjoy crystal-clear windows with this budget-friendly homemade window cleaner!
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