How To Clean Glass Without Windex

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Maybe you ran out of Windex, or you want to cut out the harsh chemical altogether. A homemade glass cleaner is the way to go. It’s usually cheaper, greener, and safer than commercial glass cleaners.

With ingredients that you already have around the house, you can learn how to get clean mirrors and glass without Windex! Here are multiple glass cleaning methods.

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Cleaning Glass Without Windex

There are numerous techniques to experiment with. You can use vinegar, rubbing alcohol, or liquid dish soap with water. Also, baking soda and shaving cream are effective. And if you’re in a hurry, you can wipe your glass with disinfectant wipes or dryer sheets.

Still, you’re probably wondering how much of these ingredients is enough for the cleaning solution. And how do you apply them to glass surfaces? Let’s take a look.

1. Vinegar and Water

This solution is arguably the best way to clean glass surfaces because vinegar is a natural disinfectant with high acetic acid content. Mix equal parts white vinegar and distilled water in a spray bottle. You can add a few drops of essential oils if the vinegar smell is too strong.

With a dry microfiber cloth or paper towels, wipe your windows in a circular motion, and watch how the cleaner removes dirt, grime, and grease without leaving many streaks. Finally, rinse the glass with water.

2. Baking Soda

Baking soda helps remove grime and dirt, which renders it suitable for a DIY glass cleaner. Add a teaspoon of baking soda to a cup of warm water to create a paste. Dip a clean cloth or old toothbrush in it, and clean your glass. Then, wipe off any residue with damp cleaning cloths.

If you don’t have baking soda, try using toothpaste. After all, it contains baking soda! Although you can use it to get clean windows if you’re out of options, we don’t recommend making this a habit because it can get costly.

3. Rubbing Alcohol and Water

Rubbing alcohol is versatile and used for different homemade cleaning tasks with good results, such as removing toothpaste stains from your bathroom mirror, hard water stains from your drinking glasses, and cleaning your car’s glass.

For this window cleaner, combine equal parts rubbing alcohol and water in a bucket or spray bottle, and remove dirt from the entire surface with a clean microfiber cloth. For streak-free windows, dry them with a clean, dry cloth.

For best results, try to refrain from using tap water due to the minerals in it that can leave your window left with spots.

4. Wipes

If you have no time to clean your mirrors and windows, you can resort to wipes. We’re talking baby wipes, Clorox wipes, or other types of disinfecting wipes designed for window cleaning. This method is super easy and accessible. But it isn’t as effective as rubbing alcohol because disinfecting wipes only have 70 to 80% Isopropyl Alcohol.

Before using wipes, spray your glass surfaces with water. Then, the wipes will get rid of any dirt or grime. If you aren’t happy with the results, a bit of white vinegar can remove any stubborn stains. When done right, this technique will give your glass a streak-free shine.

5. Dish Soap And Water

A great way to clean your window or mirror is dish soap, as it lifts stubborn particles. Soap-based cleaners are a safe bet because they don’t damage your windows or cause their frames’ paint to peel off.

In a bowl, add a few drops of soap to the water. Then, apply your solution to your window with a cloth or sponge. Use a squeegee for a streak-free finish. Give it a few minutes before polishing the glass with a clean cloth.

6. Dryer Sheets

If you’re bothered by smudges or fingerprints on your window, dryer sheets can help. The sheets’ anti-static properties drive dust to cling to your dryer sheets (rather than your glass surface). Not only can it collect dust, but it can also wipe hard-to-reach areas.

The main downside to dryer sheets is that they contain chemicals, so we wouldn’t recommend buying them for this purpose. But if you have some used dryer sheets, glass cleaning is a great way to reuse them. You want to spray your window with plain water before using an old dryer sheet. If your window has a thin layer of dust, you can use dryer sheets directly.

7. Shaving Cream

Shaving cream is superb when it comes to cleaning. You can use it as a window or mirror cleaner. When cleaning bathroom mirrors with shaving cream, it keeps them from fogging the next time you take a shower! However, make sure you’re using shaving cream not gel.

What you need to do is smear your mirror with shaving cream and use a clean, soft, and lint-free cloth to wipe it off. Don’t rub the glass with the shaving cream for a clean finish.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, there are numerous DIY glass cleaners and hacks to replace Windex. Instead of using a cleaning product with harsh chemicals, you can use homemade solutions made with safer ingredients that you already have (like vinegar and baking soda) and keep your windows and mirrors clean.

Are you looking for a cleaner to remove stubborn stains? Do you hate the streaks many cleaners leave, or are you worried about fingerprints and dust? Answering these questions will guide you to the right DIY glass cleaner for you.

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