Homemade Window Cleaner Recipe For A Streak-Free Shine

This DIY glass cleaner recipe that we’ve used for many a window cleaning job is not only super easy to make (with a total of four ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry) but also works wonders on outdoor and indoor glass surfaces alike.

Now that we’re all clear on why this is a no-brainer swap, here’s everything you need to know about making your own natural window cleaner.

Our window cleaner recipe is designed to be quick and easy because most of us are time poor. We need to be able to DIY cleaning solutions as fast as possible while still being effective (and eco-friendly). So, with just a couple of minutes and a few household ingredients, you can mix up a powerful, natural glass cleaner that rivals any store-bought option. Here’s what you’ll need.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup white vinegar: Vinegar is a natural powerhouse for cutting grease and grime. Substitute apple cider vinegar if necessary, but it may leave a slight scent.
• 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol (70% concentration): While some choose not to use rubbing alcohol, we find homemade window cleaner with rubbing alcohol to be essential for quick drying and streak-free results. Substitute higher concentration alcohol (e.g. 90%) if available, but dilute slightly with water as 70% is ample.
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional): Why cornstarch? we’ll there’s a bit of science behind it but let’s just say it adds extra polish and further reduces streaks, though it’s not necessary but certainly adds a level of clarity.
• 2 cups water: Use distilled water for best results to avoid mineral streaks.

Instructions:

1. Pour the water, white vinegar, and rubbing alcohol into a clean spray bottle.
2. Add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the mixture.
3. Secure the spray bottle cap and shake thoroughly to mix the ingredients.
4. Spray directly onto windows or glass surfaces. For best results, use a cloth or crumpled newspaper to wipe the surface clean.

If you want to use this cleaner for outside windows, use the same mixture but rinse surfaces lightly with water afterward if heavily soiled. If this rinse leaves streaks, simply reapply the solution and wipe once more.

Besides the health and environmental aspects of switching to a DIY natural glass cleaner (which we’ll get into below), let’s break down the other benefit which a lot of us would appreciate: the savings. Here is the comparison of the costs of the ingredients in our cheap recipe compared against the average price of a conventional window cleaner.

1. Homemade Window Cleaner Ingredients (cost breakdown):

1. White Vinegar: 1/4 cup (2 ounces)
   • Cost: Approximately $0.59 for 32 ounces
   • Cost for Recipe: (2 ounces / 32 ounces) * $0.59 ≈ $0.04
2. Rubbing Alcohol (70%): 1/4 cup (2 ounces)
   • Cost: Approximately $0.25 for 1/4 cup
   • Cost for Recipe: $0.25
3. Cornstarch: 1 tablespoon
   • Cost: Approximately $1.39 for 16 ounces (1 pound)
   • Tablespoons per Pound: 1 pound = 16 ounces; 1 tablespoon ≈ 0.5 ounces; so, 1 pound ≈ 32 tablespoons
   • Cost per Tablespoon: $1.39 / 32 ≈ $0.04
4. Water: 2 cups (16 ounces)
   • Cost: Negligible (tap water)

Total Cost of Homemade Solution: $0.04 (vinegar) + $0.25 (rubbing alcohol) + $0.04 (cornstarch) = $0.33 for approximately 2.5 cups of solution.

Comparison to Conventional Window Cleaner: A standard 32-ounce bottle of commercial window cleaner costs around $3.00.

2. Savings (assuming you use 1 bottle every 2 months):

Homemade Window Cleaner Cost

• Monthly Cost: $0.165
• Yearly Cost: $1.98

Store-Bought Window Cleaner Cost

• Monthly Cost: $1.50
• Yearly Cost: $18.00

Savings Analysis

• Cost Savings per Bottle: $3.00 – $0.33 = $2.67 (89% cheaper)
• Cost Savings per Month: $1.50 – $0.165 = $1.335
• Cost Savings per Year: $18.00 – $1.98 = $16.02

By using our homemade solution, you save approximately $16 per annum (or $1.33 per month) which is about 82% cheaper than your average store-bought product. Now that dollar figure might not seem like much, but depending on how quickly you use your window cleaner and the cost of buying conventional cleaners overtime, it quickly adds up. Especially if you look at this in the context of all the money you spend on conventional cleaning products.

Store-bought window cleaners almost always contain a cocktail of chemicals that you wouldn’t want anywhere near your home. Here’s a short list to give you a taste of some of the more common harmful ingredients found in commercial glass cleaners:

• Ammonia: A common ingredient that can cause respiratory irritation and exacerbate asthma symptoms. Prolonged exposure may also irritate the skin and eyes.
• Butoxyethanol: Often included for its grease-cutting properties, this chemical is linked to headaches and dizziness when inhaled. In high concentrations, it can affect the central nervous system and liver.
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): Used for its cleaning power, SLS can irritate the skin and lungs, especially with repeated exposure.
• Synthetic Fragrances: Many glass cleaners contain artificial fragrances that can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs contribute to indoor air pollution and may cause allergic reactions or headaches.
• Phthalates: Found in synthetic fragrances, phthalates have been linked to hormone disruption and reproductive issues.

These chemicals don’t just impact your health. As residues linger on surfaces or get washed into waterways, they also pose environmental risks.

Plus, a homemade solution is far more budget-friendly, considering it uses common ingredients you likely already have lying around—many of which can also be used in numerous other DIY home cleaning recipes.