Now that it’s warming up, we are opening the windows pretty much daily. And I’ve really noticed just how dirty we let the windows get over the winter. Just covered in dust and fingerprints and general yuckiness. I swear we barely touched the windows all winter, how did those fingerprints even get there? Windows are a mystery. But they show EVERYTHING. So a good cleaner is a necessity. This window cleaner is awesome, inexpensive, and gives an amazing streak free clean
The leading store-bought window cleaner includes plenty harmful impossible-to-pronounce ingredients:
- 2-Hexoxyethanol causes severe skin and eye burns
- Sodium C14-17 Sec-Alkyl Sulfonate is hazardous to aquatic environments and also causes eye and skin irritation
- Propylene Glycol can cause skin, liver, and kidney damage
- Artificial Fragrances are protected trade secrets that can contain up to 4000 separate ingredients that can be dangerous to health and the environment
- Artificial Colors are sometimes derived from petroleum and are a potential carcinogen
At the very least, you should want to avoid the eye and skin irritation when you clean by making your own green window cleaner. I’m telling you, green cleaning can actually be enjoyable when you aren’t worried about feeling dizzy from chemicals or getting cancer. If you want to learn more about switching to green cleaning, read my 5 step guide.
This window cleaner is guaranteed to save you money and expose you to less chemicals than any cleaner you can buy in the store. One batch of this cleaner cost 32 cents. I could definitely clean all the windows in my apartment with that one batch. You can’t beat that price. And it will also give you a streak free clean!
Here is how you make the cleaner:
Ingredients and supplies:
- 1.5 cups hot water
- 1 cup distilled white vinegar
- 5 drops liquid castile soap
- 10 drops essential oil (I recommend lemon or peppermint for their antibacterial properties- I used lemon in this recipe)
- microfiber towels or rags
- newspaper
- an empty spray bottle
Directions:
- Combine the water, vinegar, soap, and essential oil in the empty spray bottle
- Shake the bottle before use
- Spray the window and clean with a cloth
- Dry and buff with bunched up newspaper- this is the secret to streak free windows!
The picture above is the before picture. Sorry my photography skills aren’t amazing so I couldn’t totally capture just how dirty the window was- but you can see the line of grimy fingerprints and water spots across the top.
I’m kind of glad you can’t see just how bad the window was because it is kind of embarrassing how dirty we let the windows get!
And here is the after picture! You wouldn’t even know it was a window if not for the reflection and screen behind the window. Perfectly clear, clean, and awesome. No more fingerprints or water spots!
What is it about newspaper that makes them so good for cleaning windows and glass? Does anyone know? Because they really do an amazing job of getting rid of streaks.
So, try this window cleaner out. You won’t be disappointed. Your health, environment, and bank account will thank you!
Kaelyn says
Does the essential oils cancel out the smell of vinegar?
Susie says
It doesn’t completely cancel out the smell- but it helps. Since the recipe is almost half vinegar it would be really difficult to completely cancel out the smell. The lemon smell masks it a little.
Lisa says
Noooo…please don’t make me give away my Windex – I love it….
Karen says
This is great! I make my own cleaners, but have not yet found one for windows. I can’t wait to try this out. Thanks for sharing. Pinning! :)
Erlene says
I recently started making my own cleaners too, so this will come in handy. I’ve tried using vinegar/dish liquid mix, but will give this a try too. Would love if you shared this on the Merry Monday Linky Party. It opens tonight at 9pm PST and runs till Thurs.
Lila says
I just posted about a floor cleaner I made with similar ingredients. I typically use just water and a microfiber cloth for windows, but this is good to know! Thanks for sharing!!!
Laura says
I have always been taught not to mix vinegar and castile soap – they cancel each other out. I think for windows the vinegar alone should be enough. Glad it is working for you, though! Here is more info about that if you’re interested: http://www.lisabronner.com/a-word-of-caution-about-vinegar-and-castile-soap/
Debra Roberts says
I am surprised that I can use only natural products for cleaning the windows! I am a mother of two little girls and I want to clean with homemade chemical free products! Thank you for sharing this useful info!