Sometimes the best things in life are free… or really, really cheap, like this natural glass cleaner recipe. I’ve experimented with many types of natural cleaners and have finally found natural options that are as good (or better) than conventional cleaners.
Natural Glass Cleaner
This natural glass cleaner was a pretty easy recipe to figure out after I got the tip to use vinegar from an elderly neighbor. Apparently, that is what everyone used in past generations and we’ve just been slow to figure it out. What’s old is new again, I suppose…
I was motivated to create a natural option for cleaning windows when I discovered my one-year-old licking a window one time. I wasn’t sure what was in my conventional glass cleaner but I was pretty sure I didn’t want her eating it. Also, with five professional Fingerprint On Windows Creation Experts, cleaning windows is sometimes a daily job at our house! I love that this cleaner is completely non-toxic so I can let the children help clean without worrying about them being exposed to chemicals.
In fact, I now keep little glass spray bottles and microfiber cloths in a basket in our pantry and cleaning the lower part of windows is not a daily job for our 4 and 5 year olds.
Since taking the picture for the post, I also found large glass spray bottles and prefer to use those now. You can make your own with an empty glass apple cider vinegar bottle and a spray top.
This cleaner has a somewhat strong smell that completely evaporates once it dries. I prefer to use microfiber cloth to wipe down the windows now, but old newspapers or t-shirts also work. Just avoid paper towels as they tend to leave lint on them.
Glass Cleaner Ingredients
- 2 cups of water (distilled or filtered is best so it doesn’t leave residue)
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 10 drops essential oil of choice- I use lemon (optional- but it helps cut the vinegar smell)
Glass Cleaner Instructions
Combine ingredients in a spray bottle (preferably glass) and use as needed to clean window. I like to use a microfiber cloth to wipe windows clean with this recipe.
Note: If you have always used commercial window cleaner in the past, mix a couple drops of liquid castile soap or liquid dish soap in some of this mixture the first time you clean the windows to remove detergent residue.
If you are new to natural cleaning, check out these other easy recipes for cleaning your whole house without chemicals:
- Make Your Own Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent-Video Tutorial
- Natural Stain Treatment Reference Sheet
- Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent
- Natural All-Purpose Cleaner Recipe
- Natural Oven Cleaning
- Easy Homemade Scouring Powder Recipe
- Natural Cleaning and Organizing Checklist
- Natural Bathroom Cleaning
- Natural Kitchen Cleaning
What’s your favorite natural cleaning recipe? Share below!
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What about Norwex? Just water and a cloth! What could be easier than that?
Katie, you truly are a gem and have become my go-to resource when I need natural living tips (such as toxin-free cleaners) for myself or my clients. Thanks for amassing such a great collection of articles, recipes, and tips!
You’re welcome!
I also add the cornstarch (eliminates streaking) it definitely makes it work even better-however you must shake it before each spray which may be hard for your kiddos but otherwise it works better. The recipe also adds rubbing alcohol:
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
1 T cornstarch
2 cups water
Mix and shake each time before using to avoid clogging the sprayer.
Works better than any commercial spray that I’ve ever used!
The Alvin Corn Glass Cleaner Recipe is also the best glass cleaner I have ever used Sara
Sounds great, I am going to try this! Don’t use newspaper to clean your window, it can scratch the glass. Years ago, our mothers used newspapers, but it was a different quality and modern paper does not cut it. Paper towel does work, but it has to be a very good quality one. Happy cleaning!
The other reason that newspaper used to be recommended is that the vinegar and the newsprint together made the windows super shiny. But now newspapers are coated with something to keep the print from coming off on your fingers, and that coating ruins the shiny magic.
Newspaper ink is made of oil, unlike past years, that is why it will streak.
Can I use apple cider vinegar? I can buy it in bulk organic for cheap. Haven’t been able to find a good source for white vinegar.
I also add a TBS of cornstarch. Sounds odd I know but it works great!
Last weekend I cleaned some dirty windows in a cabin with a similar recipe! Worked like a charm! I sprayed it on, wiped the window down once, but it was still wet cause I needed alot of cleaner since there was grime all over the window. Then I let it sit for a minute or so and then came back and polished it up. Beautiful sparkly windows!
Another product I have had great results with is club soda; it’s acidic and cuts through the greasy residue that can make it impossible to get a shiny stove top or microwave exterior.
Oh! I’m definitely going to try the club soda! Thank you!~xo
I just made this tonight and couldn’t wait to try it. It works better than any store bought glass cleaner I’ve ever tried! Thanks!
Disagree. This concoction did nothing but left streaks. It is no better than using straight water. Waste of time.
Hi! Ok this may be a silly question, but I haven’t bought much vinegar in my day! Is there just straight vinegar or is it all distilled white vinegar? Thanks!
I use distilled white vinegar. I buy a box with two 1 gallon containers at Sam’s Club for a good price! (Bakers and Chefs brand I believe…) The cheap stuff works just fine!
I use vinegar in almost all of my cleaner recipes!