To clean windows, mix warm water, cornstarch, and ammonia in a glass spray bottle. Spray the windows with a light mist of the solution, using newspaper to prevent streaks. Wipe the windows clean and wipe in one direction for a clearer window. Outside windows usually have more grime than inside ones, so use the right technique to clean them twice a year.
Choose an extension pole with an adjustable length that can reach both first and second floor windows comfortably. Make a homemade window cleaner with ammonia by combining half a cup of ammonia with warm water, a liquid detergent such as Jet Dry, and Windex. Vinegar is better than ammonia for cleaning windows because it is eco-friendly, non-toxic, and effectively removes dirt and grime without leaving streaks. Choose an ammonia-free cleaner to avoid streaking and potential damage to window coatings.
Mix 1 cup of ammonia with 1 cup of water in a spray bottle, add 1 tablespoon of vinegar and 1 drop of dish soap. Shake well and spray onto the window. Wipe clean with a lint-free cloth. Plain household ammonia in water (1/2 cup per gallon of warm water) also works well for less dirty windows. Wash windows with a non-linting cloth or a sponge.
The Consumer Reports window and glass cleaner recipe calls for 1/2 cup soapy ammonia, 1 pint of rubbing alcohol, and 13 1/2 cups of water to make one gallon. Both vinegar and ammonia are good cleaning agents, but vinegar is less hazardous. Mix 2 tablespoons of ammonia with 2 qts. of warm water and dab the solution onto a microfiber cloth or spray directly on the glass and wipe away.
Ammonia window cleaner is a great choice for cleaning windows, mirrors, countertops, appliances, and more. Mix warm water and vinegar into a spray bottle, mist the solution on your windows, and watch it remove all kinds of dirt and grime.
📹 Do window cleaners use ammonia?
Discover the Secret Weapon of Window Cleaners: Ammonia! Find out why this powerful cleaning agent is a go-to for professionals …
What should you not use ammonia on?
Ammonia is a natural cleaner that can be effective in cleaning floors, microwaves, and ovens with burned-on food. However, it is important to avoid mixing it with bleach, using it on silk or wool fabrics, gemstones, or pearls, and not using it as a floor cleaner for no-wax floors. Ammonia is known for its pungent odor, which can be overpowering and cause eye irritation. It is best to avoid using ammonia on no-wax floors and avoid using it on silk or wool fabrics, gemstones, or pearls. Despite its potential benefits, it is not always the best way to clean your home due to its strong odor.
What cleans windows better ammonia or vinegar?
Vinegar and ammonia are effective cleaning agents, but vinegar is recommended for safety reasons. It is less hazardous and can be used for wiping windows down. Microfiber cloths are ideal for absorbency. Window cleaning options include spraying solutions or making your own. However, window replacement contractors recommend using vinegar and ammonia. If you’re unsure about which solution to use, vinegar is a good starting point.
It has acidic properties that can break down grease, germs, and mold in windows. Diluting vinegar with water without affecting its cleaning properties is possible depending on its acidity content. In general, vinegar is the preferred choice for window cleaning.
Does ammonia clean better than vinegar?
Both ammonia and vinegar are effective for removing dirt and grime, but ammonia is more effective for stubborn stains and mineral deposits. Vinegar, while effective in dissolving mineral deposits, may struggle with grease and oil. Safety is crucial with ammonia, which requires use in well-ventilated areas and away from children and pets. Vinegar, on the other hand, is safer due to its non-toxic nature and does not pose significant health risks. However, it is recommended to use vinegar in a well-ventilated area due to its strong smell.
In terms of environmental impact, vinegar is the clear winner. Ammonia can harm aquatic life and disrupt ecosystems, while vinegar is biodegradable and non-toxic, making it an eco-friendly choice for window cleaning. By choosing vinegar over ammonia, you can contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment.
Can I mix ammonia and vinegar and baking soda?
Mixing baking soda and vinegar is not recommended for effective household cleaners, as they cancel each other out when mixed. Baking soda and vinegar are not meant to be mixed, as they can cause harm if not used correctly. The correct way and time to use baking soda and vinegar is crucial for their effectiveness in cleaning. Mixing these ingredients can lead to a more diluted solution, which may not be as effective as a pure mixture.
How do you mix ammonia and water for cleaning?
For general cleaning, a solution of 0. 5 L of ammonia in 1 L of hot water is recommended for use on appliances, sinks, bathrooms, dishes, glassware, pots, pans, garbage pails, windows, mirrors, linoleum, ceramic tile floors, and Venetian blinds.
What cleans better vinegar or ammonia?
Both ammonia and vinegar are effective for removing dirt and grime, but ammonia is more effective for stubborn stains and mineral deposits. Vinegar, while effective in dissolving mineral deposits, may struggle with grease and oil. Safety is crucial with ammonia, which requires use in well-ventilated areas and away from children and pets. Vinegar, on the other hand, is safer due to its non-toxic nature and does not pose significant health risks. However, it is recommended to use vinegar in a well-ventilated area due to its strong smell.
In terms of environmental impact, vinegar is the clear winner. Ammonia can harm aquatic life and disrupt ecosystems, while vinegar is biodegradable and non-toxic, making it an eco-friendly choice for window cleaning. By choosing vinegar over ammonia, you can contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment.
What does ammonia do to windows?
Ammonia is a powerful substance that can break down various types of stains, including animal fats, grime, vegetable oils, and wine stains. It is commonly used in glass cleaning solutions to prevent streaks and is found naturally in various environments, including water, air, soil, plants, and even living creatures. Our bodies produce ammonia when digesting protein-containing foods, breaking it down into amino acids and ammonia. The human body converts ammonia into urea, which is essential for human health.
Ammonia and ammonium ions are essential components of metabolic processes and can renew naturally through the nitrogen cycle, which occurs when plants fertilize. This natural process ensures that ammonia doesn’t last long in the environment and doesn’t bioaccumulate.
What surfaces should not be cleaned with ammonia?
Ammonia is a natural cleaner that can be effective in cleaning floors, microwaves, and ovens with burned-on food. However, it is important to avoid mixing it with bleach, using it on silk or wool fabrics, gemstones, or pearls, and not using it as a floor cleaner for no-wax floors. Ammonia is known for its pungent odor, which can be overpowering and cause eye irritation. It is best to avoid using ammonia on no-wax floors and avoid using it on silk or wool fabrics, gemstones, or pearls. Despite its potential benefits, it is not always the best way to clean your home due to its strong odor.
What cleans windows better, ammonia or vinegar?
Vinegar and ammonia are effective cleaning agents, but vinegar is recommended for safety reasons. It is less hazardous and can be used for wiping windows down. Microfiber cloths are ideal for absorbency. Window cleaning options include spraying solutions or making your own. However, window replacement contractors recommend using vinegar and ammonia. If you’re unsure about which solution to use, vinegar is a good starting point.
It has acidic properties that can break down grease, germs, and mold in windows. Diluting vinegar with water without affecting its cleaning properties is possible depending on its acidity content. In general, vinegar is the preferred choice for window cleaning.
Can I use ammonia to clean glass?
Ammonia window cleaner is a powerful and affordable solution for cleaning windows, countertops, and other surfaces in your home. It is a natural cleaner and degreaser, effective in removing grime, fingerprints, and cutting through grease and dirt. However, it is a dangerous chemical that should be handled with caution, as it can cause skin and eye irritation, inhale harmful fumes, and damage some surfaces.
To avoid this, wear gloves and goggles when using this cleaner, and use it in a well-ventilated area. Test the cleaner in an inconspicuous area before use and avoid using it on wood surfaces. Ammonia is easily available and can be diluted with water for use.
While ammonia is an affordable and easy-to-find cleaner, it should not be used on wood floors or carpets as it may cause damage. To ensure safety, dilute the cleaner with water before use and be cautious when handling it.
Is ammonia good for cleaning outside windows?
Professionals use commercial window cleaners like Windex or homemade window cleaners made with ammonia and rubbing alcohol. The ammonia cuts dirt and oil, while the alcohol cleans polar soils and evaporates water quickly. Mixing ½ cup sudsy ammonia, 1 pint rubbing alcohol, and 1 tablespoon hand dishwashing liquid is a good way to clean windows. For less dirty windows, plain household ammonia in water works well.
Wash windows with a non-linting cloth or sponge dipped in the cleaning solution. Follow the product instructions and dry the window with another clean, dry, absorbent cloth or paper towel. Newspapers are not very absorbent and can cause blackening of hands and ink smudges around window muntins. Natural sponge applicators and rubber squeegees are the best alternatives.
Glass cleaners, even plain water, can soften latex paint on muntins and sills around a window. Blot spilled cleaner off painted surfaces without hard rubbing. The paint should harden once it has dried.
Castle Keepers offer various professional services, including window cleaning, flat-screen TV maintenance, pet dander solutions, dust bunnies and cobweb removal, and carpet and rug cleaning.
📹 How to Clean Car Windows Without Streaks (GUARANTEED!!!)
I reveal the “BIGGEST SECRET” in the for getting Perfect Crystal Clear Windows which will change the way you think about Glass …
I worked as a car valet for two main dealerships followed by several years self employed until I retired. I’ve used a variety of popular glass polishes with limited success, the main problem being dust…and streaks. I found the liquid household spray on types and kitchen roll an improvement, at least there’s no dust. I bought a used 2012 Renault Megane from a local dealer 3 weeks ago, the windows had been cleaned…in a fashion, so I tried to improve them with the spray and paper towels, better but not good enough. Tried again last week, looked okay until the sun showed up the streaks. I watched your article, grabbed a bucket of clean water, a synthetic leather and microfibre cloth and got to work. Blimey mate, I’ve never made such a good job of cleaning glass in less than half the time. Brilliant, thanks for sharing. 🙂👍
Assuming the car is already washed, I use a squirt of my panel prep (25%IPA, 75% water) and a MF cloth. It’s a quick and easy way to achieve a similar result and is great for cutting through that fog (I understand it’s partly plastic … uuurgh) that appears on the inside. It’s not chemical free but it’s easy and I threw my synthetic chamois away years ago, then regretted it when I first saw you show this method!
This is the right way, absolutely! Keep in mind that your windows should already be somewhat clean. In cases where they are not, you can use an “mild” automotive wax degreaser. Caution, only use a mild wax degreaser that is designed to clean automotive paint. Do not use it on the interior windows if they are tinted. Your windows will literally disappear, that’s how transparent they will look. Clean with a glass cleaner afterwards. I suggest Invisible glass btw. Make sure to put a topping/rain repellant because the glass will be too clean and you’ll get water spots.
You have popped up on my you tube,so i have had a look at a few of your articles,and i have enjoyed them, and found them educational..There is a multitude of cleaning products for a car on the market with varying costs,so it is not cheap to keep your car clean,and me included i must have spent a fortune on duplicate cleaning product,and probably not used some of them correctly …So thank you on educating me,,,The thing i like about the glass cleaning,is i don’t need all the fancy glass cleaning kit that leaves smears .Just good old water,like my parents used when i was small …Old newspaper was used for a smear free finish lol
ive now tried a synthetic leather FUBAR! Leaves streaks! The way to clean front and rear sloping windows……wrap the shammy around your hand and use THE BACK of your hand! You then dont have to dislocate your shoulder or break an arm to clean them! TRY IT! A mate of mine who charges £1,000 to clean a car showed me this! Mind you his clients only own supercars! His wax costs over 2 grand a bucket!
Really interesting article Dave. I’ve been using Stoner InvisibleGlass for years,. One other secret I found is to use a Waffle Weave MF Towel. Clean and streak-free every time. I use this on the inside of the windows (include home windows), and the Rain-repellant version on the outside (give me nice water beading). Going to try your method though as this seems more cost effect, and it it works a well, then why not save some money 🙂
The secret to cleaning glass is to get the surface sufficiently hydrated to get the gunk off and to not be determined to do it in one pass. Wet, scrub, and clean with the first pass. Switch to a clean/dry microfiber and barely use any cleaner at all with the second. It works fine every time. It doesn’t seem to matter much what the cleaner is so long as it contains water. Stoner, Windex, soap, or whatever.
This is a great article. In addition to this simple process, if you have baked on bug guts on the windshield (not a problem in some areas, but here in the heat of Arizona, the filth is real!) using some steel wool is incredibly effective. When washing, use the steel wool after the glass is soaped up and wet. Keeping the glass wet is important so that the bug guts soften up a bit. ONLY use it on the glass, folks. Once the glass is properly clean, the final drying stage shown in this article will result in perfectly clear, streak free glass. I hope this helps.
Hello, I am in Canada and have not been able to find a Synthetic Perforated Leather Towel. What about The Rag Company’s “Ultra Clay Bar Scrubber”? Have you tried it? Some reviewers say it is excellent for windows. I wonder how it might affect tinted windows with regard to cleaning the interior windows that so many cars have. Your thoughts?
I have white stains like dry water drop that I can’t get rid off. I’ve tried white vinegar, glass cleaner, hot water…Nothing has any effect. I can’t clean either interior windshield cause it is always greasy, light reflection is always bad so I think it is clean but once view from outside it is really dirty no matter how time I waste Of course I have also tried this synthetic chamois but that stays dirty Very good article anyway, probably the best method ever !
Very good description of the details and backgrounds! Grandpa new it: Pure water and a drop of detergent, wash, remove the dirty water completely. Clean glass! As a towel I like to use old washed T-shirts (no softener in the wash, as said before). They are cheap, lint-free and it’s better than just throwing them away.
I’ve been happy using 70% IPA with a microfiber cloth the last several years; I’ve found it great for getting the filmy residue off the inside of the glass. It takes off a large amount of the microscopic particles on the glass that moisture & humidity stick to, so the windows don’t fog up nearly as much. However I do like that “synthetic leather” method; imma go find mine somewhere 😅
I have a 2023 Toyota Supre. The glass is difficult to get clean. So, I didn’t use the synthetic leather but just a soaked towel. Then, I followed up with a dry towel. My windows have never looked better! I have been using microfiber cloths and they leave lint. However, they state there is no lint but there is. Now, the glass sparkles! Great article and no longer using window cleaner products. I did this technique in direct sunlight. No problem. Concering the windshile, I merely sit in the passenger seat for that side and then the driver’s seat for that side.
A favourite cleaner for professional automotive glass replacement companies is ” Nilglass”, combined with 10″ 2 ply wiper rolls. Use of the wiper roll avoids cross contamination. If you struggle wiping the inside of the windscreen, open the door, stand outside the car and reach in to clean most of the interior. Cleaning in direct sunlight with glass cleaner, spray the cloth or roll, not the glass and apply immediately to the glass to get best result.
Hi Dave, Rain X ? I’ve seen a lot of advertisements for this product recently and wondered if this is as good as they claim. What are your thoughts on the product, and if you have ever used it. Hope you don’t mind me asking, I’ve looked through your articles but can’t find any on this product. Kind regards, Steve.
So very happy I watched your article and proceeded to clean my windshield inside and out exactly as you instructed and the results totally blew me away!!! I did all the other glass and side mirrors too. I do car shows and everyone always complains their glass is not what they wanted. I may just keep this secret from them. Definitely tell my other friends who are not into car show but love their rides. Thank you soooo much!!
The key to not using cleaners is that once the glass is initially cleaned (esp inside) all you need to do is regular sessions like this and you won’t need cleaners. Also, if you have window tint – cleaners are bad for that. Check with a local tint shop for safe cleaners that won’t ruin your expensive tint!
Thanks for the tip dave, I’m gonna try this method out next time I clean my car! I have used a few glass cleaners like gliptone which is good and auto smart bulk glass cleaner then tried chemical guys total interior which says it’s ideal for interior glass, infontainment screens etc but still left smears. However I’m wondering if this is caused by using old / contaminated cloths?. Could blue paper towel be used on glass with the same effect?
I have been around for a lot of years, 76 in fact, and over that time I have cleaned one hell of a lot of car windows. Your method has a lot of merit but, I would add one more thing to it. I always use a dash of methylated spirits in the warm water. I find, that it helps to cut through any road grime that builds up on the glass. I hope this helps someone out there…
I use one of those absorber towels on the inside glass and the outside. I’m not anal about it. Roll it up, wring out so it is just a little damp and slide it across and it’ll get the inside of a windshield clean in under a minute. I used to have a small fleet of 7 delivery trucks and keeping the glass clean was one of the things I did and doing them quick was important. I used to wash them with a water hose, tote on a furniture mover, Armor All Wash and Wax and a soft bristle floor broom and that would only take 5 minutes per truck and saved me a lot of money vs using a truck wash guy. You wouldn’t want me to detail your car but I can get inside glass and 7 box trucks relatively clean in around 45 minutes without a pressure washer.
I’ve done this for many years, believe it or not. People ask me all the time how I get my windows so crystal clear. I tell them. Their response is usually one of “that takes too much time”. I’d rather have safe viewing of traffic than deal with smudges and steaks that I discovered years ago were commonplace when using window cleaner – and newspaper. Spot on!
Dave, this is a Q off-topic: I’ve made a terrible mistake. I’ve used a engine-bay cleaner (degreaser) on window frames in the slight hope of removing algae . Now, when I pull down my windows and pull them up again, there’s a fatty like substance covering a corner of my glass. Would you tackle that with a non-diluted APC or what are your experience? Thanks for your inspiring articles. You are an amazing guy!
I know this article has been up for a year but……..my problem is with the micro scratches left by the yes, you guessed it, the bluddy wiper blades. It doesn’t matter HOW carefully I clean the glass inside and out, the scratches from the blades lesve me almost blind in low sun or rain at night. I want to know how THEY are dealt with and I ain’t found ANYTHING or anyone who can solve that problem…….answers please.
Two words, “Invisible glass”… that stuff really works. I thought it was just the usual bragging about the product that would never live up to the claims, like 99% of every auto product I’ve ever used. But on good smooth glass it works like a charm, and it even seems to be less work than using windex. On my Lexus LS the windows came out so well I was impressed enough to wonder if I could buy it by the drum; and no I don’t have any financial interest in the vendor, it’s just good stuff.
Newspaper and windex- immaculate, crystal clear glass on all my house windows, mirrors and my ‘82 RX7 which is almost all glass 😂 benefits the most. It’s the carbon in the ink that works wonders. Good thing I have a source of both old stacks and new daily papers from a real rebel of old ways and refusal to move with the times 🤣
My main struggle with cleaning the windshield of my car (Ford Focus ST) is, that the lower edges of the windshield where it “meets” the dashboard are almost impossible to reach. Unless your arms are 1,5 m long and feature two additional joints that is. Too far away to properly wipe along and too narrow for anything but your fingertips. I hate it.
I’ve only just stumbled upon your articles and they’re great but twice now you’ve missed out the most important parts, in this I get what you’re doing obviously but you don’t mention using the method inside, I don’t like the idea of using a dripping wet chamois and water everywhere over the dash etc.?! 🤷🏻♂️
Glass cleaners are a nightmare. I use the izi-clean cloths. I’m from the Netherlands so don’t know if they sell anywhere else. They are so easy and simple to use. You just wet it, wring it and you’re good to go. Dries up streak free! So no need for drying afterwards. Tried many other cloths but this one really works well. You can use it with just water or with a little bit of vinegar or all purpose cleaner.
It’s the towels. I always kept one specific colour towel for glass only, and they were washed separately. The worst windscreens were in cars that had a cheap valet done before and had greasy silicone dressing on the dashboard. It just evaporates up on to the glass as a greasy film, so I would cut that first with mild APC. Then I’d use glass cleaner and two towels, one for on and one for off. Never failed me, I used it on cars and on my house windows. The towels are most important, and maybe with water it is possible in some cases – as steam often worked well for me – but the alcohol in glass cleaner evaporates faster leaving less chance of smears.
TBH I don’t use any chemicals on the inside of glass. If needed use a blade get off anything and “my trick” is to wipe off the fog with fresh napkins because the humidity sticks to the stuff on the glass and wiping off the fog takes the gunk too. It works so good that you can’t see the glass. My wife was thinking I was crazy so to clean her windshield i put hot water in a large bowl and let it fog up and just kept wiping it clean. After you couldn’t see where the windshield was at. 😁
This is where the detailing world has failed People i think with their selling of products. nothing wrong with using a good old leather.. lol Once you’ve done this then if you want some water repellent properties which glass cleaners have.. what do you do to keep the glass you have perfected clean? For me I’ve applied Soft99 Glaco.. once applied you can go back to the synthetic leather for cleaning with water beading galore windows 🙌🏼
I have found that many process and chemicals have been touted. The one thing they all have in common is physical force. The final step is always forceful final wiping with any dry material. I use any cleaner to get the chunks off then microfiber cloth to wear any residue off. Same goes for any house glass or mirrors. In the end you have to wear off the streaky film with a rag of some sort.
No matter how much you try water will not remove grease/oil/traffic film, the constant rubbing with the synthetic leather might pick up something, I used everything from newspaper, 99.9% Isopropyl Alcohol, glass cleaner, an old bottle of windowlean, glass polish. it sucks cleaning glass but it’s the cloth not the water.
Good article, my windscreen became so greasy that I nearly hit a pedestrian on a zebra crossing, because the early morning October sunshine was shining directly into my windscreen and it spread the haze and completely blanked my vision, luckily a shadow blocked the sun and I saw him just in time, I cleaned the screen later that day.
I notice some new imported cars have a type of oily film on the windscreen, washed and used Glmys glass polish then rain X, worked a treat. i have tried Nu-finish on the windscreen but it was hit and miss with different glass, i have no idea why, perhaps the polish hadn’t dried before i removed it. I won’t use Nu-finish again on windscreens!
I notice at 6:10 the problem that plagues me. When it gets wet or frozen or misty it produces those lines. No matter how I clean it, those vertical lines where one line is see through and the other cant be seen through, and that’s alternating, end up seriously destroying visibility. What is that? Wax? Why is it like that? If it’s just the window going up and down, why does it produce a line you can see through and a line you cannot? I don’t know what it is but I hate it with a passion.
I will add a tip for the inside of the windows. Over time, a residue may build up on the glass, especially on the windshield. This can happen with just breathing, but def if you’re a smoker. Glass cleaner just doesn’t cut that residue. So I use a kitchen scrubbing pad that’s safe for non-stick pans. I can get a pack of 3 at the dollar store. With the pad still dry and nothing on it, just start scrubbing. You’ll see the residue come right off. You’ll have to work a bit to get every spot. Then you can clean it normally. This only has to be done every few years.