Homemade window cleaner: Аn easy and cheap way to achieve amazing results!
Doing household chores may not be the most pleasing thing in the world, yet we have to make time for it! Cleaning products often contain lots of harmful chemicals, so it is best to try to replace them with homemade ones – they are not only harmless, but sometimes we can achieve even better results with them than with those sold on the market. What we will specifically focus on today is homemade window cleaner, as it’s something I’ve recently tried myself and I want to share with you the satisfying results!
Table of Contents
Why homemade window cleaner?
As I previously mentioned, we should definitely try to reduce the use of ready-made cleaning products, even if they are advertised as “natural”, because there is a high chance that they are not as “natural” as the manufacturers claim them to be. Some products can really cause serious health problems, and this is not something we should underestimate!
The other advantage of homemade cleaning products is, of course, price! Making your own DIY window cleaner, for instance, can save you many dollars, and you will only need a couple of ingredients to make this truly amazing cleaning mixture!
What is the best homemade cleaning solution for windows?
I never thought that making my own cleaning solution for windows will take me so little time to prepare and will be so effective! Along with some tricks to whiten the frames and windowsills, the results were amazing! The homemade window cleaner I made consists of really simple ingredients, found in every household: white vinegar, rubbing alcohol, water and essential oils.
Benefits of the ingredients in the cleaning
The benefits of vinegar as a cleaner are endless! White vinegar is the best type of vinegar when it comes to cleaning because of the lack of a coloring agent. This means that it won’t leave any stains on the window surface, as darker-colored vinegar does. What is more, vinegar is famous for its acidic nature, which makes it perfect for cleaning – it not only removes grease, but it is also a natural disinfectant.
Another product famous for its disinfecting properties is rubbing alcohol. It leaves a streak-free glass finish and helps the faster evaporation.
The only downside of vinegar and alcohol is their strong smell. That is why it is best to add an essential oil to your homemade window cleaner – a few drops of lavender oil makes all the difference!
And last but not least, I used water as a connecting element of all the other ingredients, it also dilutes the strong concentration of alcohol and vinegar!
Also read: Household Tricks with Cooking Oil
Proportions and tools
The ingredients are in the following proportions:
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) of rubbing alcohol
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) white vinegar
- 1 cup (240 ml) of warm water
- 5 to 10 drops of essential oil of your choice (I recommend lavender or lemon)
The tools you’ll need are:
- an empty spray bottle
- rubber gloves
- a microfiber cloth
- a piece of newspaper
Instructions for making the window cleaner
- Combine ¼ cup (60 ml) of rubbing alcohol with 1/4 cup (60 ml) white vinegar in a spray bottle. Then add 1 cup (240 ml) of warm water to decrease the concentration of the other two ingredients. Finally, pick your favorite essential oil and pour a few drops into the mixture.
- Close the bottle and shake it vigorously for a couple of seconds. You can even label it as a “window cleaner” and store it away from children after cleaning.
- Put on your rubber gloves and, using a microfiber cloth, prepare your window by wiping away all the dust and impurities before you treat the surface with the window cleaner.
- Spray the window cleaner on the glass and keep wiping with your microfiber cloth until clean.
- Spray less amount of the homemade window cleaner and use a piece of newspaper for wiping, as it leaves the glass lint-free and also without streaks.
Another homemade window cleaner recipe you can try
There are many other homemade window cleaner recipes you can try that also include natural products. One of them includes cornstarch – with its naturally abrasive origin, it is perfect for cleaning glass surfaces. Here’s the recipe:
Proportions and tools
The proportions are as follows:
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) rubbing alcohol
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- two cups (480 ml) warm water
The tools you will need:
- an empty spray bottle
- rubber gloves
- a microfiber cloth
- a piece of newspaper
If you decide to try this recipe, you should keep in mind that cornstarch granules settle to the bottom of the bottle, so don’t forget to shake it once in a while before cleaning. Note that you only need to mix the ingredients in an empty spray bottle and follow the aforesaid instructions – the process is the same!
