Does your family’s bathroom mirror look like a Jackson Pollock painting? Mine is often spattered with homemade coconut oil soap and toothpaste, because apparently brushing teeth and washing hands can be contact sports if you try hard enough.
Fortunately, this inexpensive DIY window and glass cleaner delivers streak-free results. Because it’s so inexpensive and easy to make, I keep a spray bottle and pile of clean lint-free cloths under my kids’ sink (where it’s needed most) for easy cleaning.
We’ll get to the super easy recipe soon, but first you might be wondering . . .
Why make DIY window cleaner?
Because unlike the most popular store-bought brand, which gets a “D” from the Environmental Working Group (or an “F” if you’re using the pre-made wipes), it’s made with safe, non-toxic ingredients.
However, when life gets busy and you don’t want to make your own, you don’t have to settle for the toxic stuff – this brand gets an “A” from EWG and actually works.
Branch Basics also makes an excellent, non-toxic cleaning concentrate that can be used to make window cleaner, all-purpose cleaner, foaming hand wash, and laundry soap. You can find it here.
Tips for Using Homemade Glass Cleaner
- When cleaning windows, mirrors, shower doors, and other glass surfaces, always work from top to bottom
- Use a lint-free cloth to prevent fuzz residue. Microfiber cloths work well but microfibers are too small to be filtered out by waste treatment plants, so they end up in our oceans and waterways.
- If you have hard water stains on your shower doors, try spraying a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water on the area. Let is soak for 5-15 minutes before wiping, then clean with the homemade glass cleaner. Daily care with a squeegee also helps prevent buildup.
Homemade Window Cleaner Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- 3 tbsp rubbing alcohol
- 1 tsp cornstarch or arrowroot powder
- ¾ cup distilled water
Instructions
To Make
- Pour all ingredients into a spray bottle.
- Shake well to mix.
To Use
- Shake before using.
- Spray on surface and wipe with a lint-free cloth until clean.
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Chris
Thank you for your newsletter and your information on health and cleaning tips and recipes.
Sheryn
Hi Heather do you have a recipe that works for badly stained toilets which was heavily stained before moving into property
Heather Dessinger
When I bought my first house that was an issue and I was able to clean them with baking soda, but I haven’t tried any other solutions.
Sherri
I thank you for taking the time and for being willing to share your wonderful recipes and your precious time with me?
Mir
Thanks for a great alternative to chemical cleaners! I’m just curious about the purpose of the cornstarch/arrowroot? Wouldn’t a starch in the mix leave a film?
Heather
Years ago I tested a bunch of different recipes on the internet, including a few which included cornstarch. I didn’t know what the purpose was, but I figured it was worth seeing how they performed against ones that didn’t include cornstarch. In my experience, the addition of cornstarch or arrowroot makes it easy to get a streak-free finish without giving yourself an arm/shoulder workout. 🙂 I think it may be that the powder helps to grab onto tiny oil deposits/residue on the glass that causes smears and lift them away without lots of effort.
Dena Upshaw
Hi Heather,
Thanks for the information on the homemade window cleaner. I’ve been using a similar mix (minus the cornstarch/arrowroot) for a while and am pleased with the results. I’m curious, too, as to the purpose of the cornstarch. I do add a teaspoon or so of Branch Basics organic soap to my mix.
Heather Dessinger
In my experience, the addition of cornstarch or arrowroot makes it easy to get a streak-free finish without giving yourself an arm/shoulder workout. I think it may be that the powder helps to grab onto tiny oil deposits/residue on the glass that causes smears and lift them away without lots of effort.
Dens
I can always use ideas that make less work😁. Thanks!
Tanne
Will try the window cleaner with corn starch but it will be hard to beat my favorite 2 cups water 1/2 cup of alcohol 1 tbs ammonia. I add a drop of blue food coloring into spray bottle. Also wipe off solution with newspaper
Linda
I’m sure Tanne’s recipe works great because of the ammonia, but because of the ammonia it’s toxic.
Olga
Thanks for your great recipes. I made this cleaner several times already. Its streak free for sure. Works great. Removes dirt.
Erica
Can I use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar for the window cleaner?
Shelly Figueroa
Can I add essential oils for smell?
Heather
A few drops of a citrus oil would probably be okay, but too much might cause an issue with streaking.
Melissa
Hi Heather! So happy to have come across your website and this post. I never would have thought of using arrowroot powder in the window cleaner. Absolutely genius. I really appreciate your focus on clean/non-toxic home solutions and love that you’ve obviously researched and implemented the tips you’re offering. Thanks again for this great info.
Heather
Thanks, Melissa!
Ilene
Hi Heather!! Love all you share on your blog!! Is it possible to sub tapioca starch for arrowroot? The latter is so much more expensive!! Thanks in advance!!
Heather Dessinger
Hi Ilene, I’m so glad you have found the blog useful! I haven’t tested it so I can’t say for sure, but I think tapioca would work fine in this formula.
A
do you wipe with a rag or newspaper?
Heather Dessinger
I use a clean cloth.
Sara
I ran out to buy a spray bottle to make this window cleaner. I added 2 drops of lemon oil to hide the alcohol smell and it works just great. thanks
D gordy
Works great, used flour sack towel and wow did not realize the gunk on my windows! Thanks for sharing!
Tanja McCallum
By far, the BEST window/glass/mirror/surface cleaner recipe I have EVER used!! The cornstarch really threw me off… but do not hesitate! My glass sparkles like crystal! (I say “glass” because after doing the windows, I cleaned EVERYTHING made of glass with this stuff, in my entire house!)
I do not know the recipe creator, author or website owner! 🙂 I highly recommend, trust me, you’ll be addicted!
Mel
I use borax and dish soap in water to wash windows with little effort. Then I use a window glass polishing cloth to finish it off. Costs pennies and works like a hot damn.
I like your alternative recipe too! Sounds like it would do the job on real messy windows.
Thanks for all your information, its wonderful to hear of alternative methods.
Pamela Taylor
Hi Heather! I also am very appreciative of all your research. Your article is the first I have read about microfibers ending up in our oceans. Does that mean you are not a fan of Norwex cloths? I believe they are microfibers.
Heather Dessinger
I have never used Norwex but before I became aware of the microplastics issue I did buy some microfiber cloths. I opt for natural fibers, now.
Tonnae Bardell
I have been using microfiber cloths in my cleaning business for 15 years. They are advertised as lint free but I can assure you they are not. They are when you are using them, but not when you wash them. They do break down over time and that plastic lint ends up in our water supply. The cheaper microfiber cloths will break down faster. I’m guessing the higher quality Norwex cloths will break down slower. It would be worth asking a Norwex rep about this.
Regardless, I am slowly switching over to natural fiber cloths.
I’m curious Heather, do you use cotton for your cleaning cloths?