This easy homemade DIY window cleaner leaves glass streak-free and sparkling clean with each use. As someone who doesn’t love to clean the house, I need something that works quickly, cleans thoroughly, and doesn’t cost a lot (plus is easy and quick to make). So, I’ve created this DIY version to get the job done right the first time round.

I recently made the mistake of using bathroom cleaner on my windows.

I’ve been refilling my cleaning sprays at my local bulk foods store as a way to reduce my single-use plastic waste and reuse old cleaning containers.

I’d asked the lady at the store if the bathroom cleaner could be used on glass mirrors and windows, as I couldn’t find an option for a glass-only cleaner at the store, and the bathroom cleaner looked like the closest option, and she said she used it. So I tried it.

It did not end well.

My mirrors were left with a smoggy coating on the glass and I could hardly see out of the windows afterwards. It looked like a fog had settled outside and made everything blurry and hard to see.

So, I quickly changed tact and began making my own to try and undo the mess I had created.

I looked around online for a few recipes that incorporated natural ingredients you could find in your kitchen to help create a streak-free glass cleaner, and began trialling a few recipes.

I found one that I loved as it removed most of the smoggy coating right away, and then it simply took a few more washes to remove the rest of the coating on the glass windows and mirrors.

I’ve come to prefer my DIY cleaner to previous window and glass cleaners as it’s really cost effective and cheap to make, and when you run out you can quickly make some more for when you need it, rather than running to the store to buy more. Plus, I get to continue using my cleaning containers, which means less plastic waste from replacing bottles of cleaning liquids.

Pre-Made Natural Glass Cleaner Options

If you’re not into the whole DIY thing, or don’t have time to make a natural homemade glass cleaner yourself, check out these ready-made natural glass cleaning options:

• Euclove Glass and Mirror Cleaning Spray
• Lil’ Bit Chrome and Glass Cleaner
• Koala Eco – Glass Cleaner Peppermint Essential Oil

Before we get started in learning how to make a natural homemade glass cleaner, if you like what you’re seeing, subscribe to my email newsletter at the bottom of the page to keep up to date on the latest recipes, DIYs, gardening and health tips I share!

DIY Natural Streak-Free Glass and Window Cleaner

Rubbing alcohol (i.e. isopropyl alcohol) and white vinegar are two fantastic ingredients which can be used to help achieve a streak-free finish on your glass surfaces.

Please note, if you plan on reusing an empty commercial cleaner bottle, ensure it has been cleaned thoroughly to remove all previous residue. This is really important. If you are not able to completely clean the contents of the bottle from the container, buy a new spray bottle for your glass cleaner. Both vinegar and alcohol act as solvents and will pick up traces of other chemicals that are left inside old spray bottles. With a new, clean bottle, you won’t have to worry about unintended, and potentially dangerous, reactions that may occur.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups distilled water
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol
• 1/2 tsp natural dishwashing liquid
• 10 drops eucalyptus or tea tree essential oil (optional)
• Microfibre cloth or squeegee

To Make:

1. Add the distilled water, rubbing alcohol, and vinegar to a glass spray bottle and gently swish the bottle to combine.
2. Next, add the dishwashing liquid and essential oil (if using) and gently swirl the contents to combine. Cap the lid on tight and store the window cleaner in a cool, dark, dry place beyond the reach of children and pets. As this homemade window cleaner contains rubbing alcohol, do not store it or use it near open flames or in direct sunlight.
3. To use, spray the glass with the window cleaner to lightly saturate, then rub it away with a microfiber cloth to loosen any grime.
4. Spray a second time and use a clean microfibre cloth to clean the windows and glass mirrors, moving from left to right using swift, smooth motions, until any streaks have been cleared. Using a squeegee can prove more effective at removing any streaks from glass and windows.

This blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. The use of information on this blog or materials linked from this blog is at the user’s own risk. The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard, or delay in obtaining, medical advice for any medical condition they may have, and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.

Have you made your own natural household cleaners before? Were they helpful and effective at cleaning? Share in the comments below.

Lots of love,

Vanessa