Finding the right glass cleaning solution is the key to keeping your windows, smart mirrors uk, and other glass surfaces looking as great as the day you bought them! However, you might not want to use a chemical cleaning solution like Windex. Luckily, there are few options when you want to make your own glass cleaner so you can make your house look great, while if you have problems with water in your home you can also use a water damage mitigation service to help you with this. Keep reading and we’ll look at how you can do it!
What is Windex? What is it Made of?
Windex is a wildly popular brand when it comes to glass cleaner but what is it? Well, the actual ingredient list is long and chemical but the active ingredient in the standard formula is ammonium hydroxide – a strong chemical cleaner that not everyone wants.
Why Clean Glass and Windows Without Windex?
You might be wondering why you would opt for a homemade cleaning solution over a cleaning solution like Windex. Most people ditch Windex, not for the job it does cleaning their glass surfaces but the ingredients it often includes – it can be dangerous to keep ammonia products around when you have pets or small children!
What You Need to Clean Glass with No Windex:
- Distilled hot water
- Liquid dish soap
- Bucket
- You’ll need something to keep your homemade glass cleaner in. Alternatively, you could also use a spray bottle.
- Three microfiber cloths
- Hose
- You’ll only need a hose for your windows if you’re cleaning the exteriors. In these cases, hosing down the window first can help speed along the process.
How to Clean Glass or Mirror Without Windex and Vinegar?
Step 1: Creating Your Glass Cleaner
The first thing you’ll want to do is go ahead and create your glass cleaner. To avoid using both Windex and vinegar, you can actually turn to some hot distilled water and the liquid dish soap you probably already have sitting in your kitchen.
You’ll want to use a lot more water than dish soap, though, of course. For instance, if you use about four cups of water, you can get away with only a few drops of dish soap. From there, you can work directly from the container you made it in or put it in a spray bottle.
Step 2: Prepare the Glass (If Necessary)
In most cases, you don’t have to worry too much about preparing your glass for cleaning before using this mixture. If you’re cleaning anything inside, you’re more than likely good to start off with this glass cleaner.
On the other hand, if you’re cleaning the exterior side of a window that’s been exposed to the elements, a quick, gentle rinse with the hose can make your job a lot easier. If your windows are beyond cleaning and need to be replaced, consider hiring professionals like Universal Windows Direct of Syracuse.
Step 3: Cleaning the Glass
Once you’re ready to start cleaning, all you need is your glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth.
Start by dampening the microfiber cloth with the solution if you have it in a container like a bucket. With a spray bottle, you can dampen the glass as if you were using Windex.
From here, you can use your first microfiber cloth to simply wipe the glass down with the cleaner.
Step 4: Rinse the Glass
Once you’re done, you’re going to want to grab a fresh microfiber cloth. Dampen this new microfiber cloth with only distilled water – not the glass cleaner you made earlier. Then, simply wipe down the glass to rinse any residue off.
Step 5: Dry and Polish the Glass
Before finishing up, you’ll want to pull out one final microfiber cloth. Keep this one dry so that you can thoroughly dry and polish the glass so it looks like new! Don’t forget to inspect your windows. If you’re struggling to open and close your windows, it may be time to consider getting replacement windows katy tx.
How to Clean Glass with Vinegar
Step 1: Making Glass Cleaner with Vinegar
To create the glass cleaner for this solution, you’ll just need warm water and vinegar. Unlike using a few drops of soap, though, you’ll want to mix a ratio that’s half vinegar and half water.
Step 2: Clean the Glass
Once you have your vinegar glass cleaner ready, you can use it as you would any other glass cleaner.
Step 3: Dry and Polish
Like the previous option, don’t forget to use a clean microfiber cloth and some water to rinse your glass afterward. Similarly, you can grab a dry microfiber cloth to dry and polish the glass.
How to Clean Glass with Rubbing Alcohol
Step 1: Clean the Mirror Directly with Rubbing Alcohol
This method is rather straightforward because rubbing alcohol does all the work for you – you don’t need to take the time to create a glass cleaner.
Instead, all you have to do is grab your rubbing alcohol and either a cotton pad or a few cotton balls, depending on how big of an area you’re cleaning.
Then, just get to work! You can put the rubbing alcohol directly on the cotton and start rubbing it on the glass – you won’t need much.
Step 2: Remember This for Spot Cleaning
This method is best when you have stubborn spots to clean on the glass, like toothpaste stains on a mirror.
How-to Clean Glass with a Dryer Sheet
Step 1: Use Some Dryer Sheets
For this homemade glass cleaner, you’ll need to use your dryer sheets first, so it’s best if you want to clean some glass after you’ve done a round of laundry for the best results. Other than that, you’ll just need some water in a spray bottle.
Step 2: Cleaning the Glass
If you’re just dusting your glass, you can just wipe it down with the dryer sheet. However, if you want to clean a little deeper, spray your glass with water before wiping it down.
Wondering What You Can Use Instead of Glass Cleaner?
As we’ve seen, there are quite a few different options available when it comes to cleaning glass. So, what should you go with if you’re looking to avoid chemical glass cleaners and don’t have the supplies to create a glass cleaner using something like vinegar?
That’s when tricks like using dryer sheets or rubbing alcohol come in handy. They don’t take many components and will get your glass looking like new!
What If I Don’t Have Vinegar or Rubbing Alcohol?
If you don’t have vinegar or rubbing alcohol, you don’t have to worry. As we’ve already seen, you can use a few other household supplies to make sure that you get your bathroom mirrors and more are shining as they should.
For instance, this is another instance in which the use of a dryer sheet can come in handy. Alternatively, as long as you have some dish soap around, you have a way to clean your glass.
What is the Best Way to Clean Mirrors Without Streaking?
Homemade glass cleaners can give you a lot of options and you don’t have to compromise on streaks either.
Taking steps such as spot-cleaning stains with rubbing alcohol, taking care to use microfiber cloths rather than paper towels, and properly moistening the glass before wiping it down will all help reduce streaks.
How Do You Clean Glass Naturally?
If you want to clean your glass naturally, you’ll want to stay away from an option like a dryer sheet and, of course, you won’t want to turn to Windex. Yet, we have gone over one of the best natural solutions already: vinegar!
By making your own glass cleaner with vinegar, you can get the shine of your glass back, naturally.
Did you enjoy our tutorial on how to clean a mirror without Windex? With so many options, there’s something available no matter what you have around the house. If you liked it, let us know in the comments below, and make sure to share this guide with a friend!
