DIY streak-free Windex

[Kaido]

This is a recipe for homemade Windex for glasses & mirrors. Works at home & on car windows. No streaks. Easy & cheap to make.

Glass spray bottle: ($7 shipped)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0118BNU0G

Funnel: (optional, but makes filling the bottle from the blender jar easier if you don't have a funnel yet, plus this one squishes down flat to throw in a drawer)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N2NYC1K/

Blender:

2 cups Water
1/4 cup Rubbing Alcohol
1/4 cup White Vinegar
2 teaspoons Cornstarch (powder)

Notes:

1. Source is a post by Bacchus on the Tribe Magazine forums back in 2013, which I found through a random google search.

2. Cornstarch is what makes the mixture streak-free. Windex has never given me the results I wanted, and even their "streak-free" formula still leaves streaks. I actually really like the Windex wipes, but I keep forgetting to order them, plus they are kinda pricey, and I can throw this in a blender using ingredients I already have & it's ready in 30 seconds, so that's cool.

3. It does smell (usually for a couple hours). You can optionally add something like essential oils or whatever to reduce the stink while cleaning (white vinegar smells like trash to me), or maybe lemon juice. I just use it straight-up though. The water is for liquid, the vinegar is for cleaning, the rubbing alcohol is for evaporation, and the cornstarch is for no streaks. Nice combination, just a bit smelly until it completely evaporates & leaves the room.

4. I like Viva paper towels, if you can find them (i.e. Walmart). They are more cloth-y than the regular paper towels, which sometimes fall apart & leave little paper pieces on the glass. They are basically a consumer version of those blue shop paper towels they sell, i.e. they don't get all gummed up like normal ones do when they get wet.

5. You can make a portable cleaning kit using a plastic tote caddy. Stick the glass spray bottle on one side & a roll of paper towels on the other & voila:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00021LQ0U/

I'm not super into DIY solutions at home (I use Chlorox wipes for cleaning pretty much everything lol), but this is an excellent little trick for getting superior results.

 

[who?]

I like "Invisible Glass" brand glass cleaner. Would you use that same blender to make food?

 

[lxskllr]

I like "Invisible Glass" brand glass cleaner. Would you use that same blender to make food?

Nothing in it that isn't food safe in reasonable quantities.

 

[Kaido]

Would you use that same blender to make food?

Sure, although I'd recommend cleaning the blender jar out with soap after mixing this up.

If you haven't worked with rubbing alcohol before, I'd also suggest making sure you use it with the door open so you get some ventilation.

 

[Carson Dyle]

1. Zep Streak-Free Glass Cleaner (with ammonia). Available at Home Depot or Lowes. Infinitely better than Windex. I use this on just about all surfaces in my home. Windows, mirrors, monitors, counter tops, stainless, appliances, bathroom fixtures, and dusting nearly anything.

2. Invisible Glass. I only use it on auto glass. Kinda pricey, and not a substance I want to be breathing very often. If the glass is really grungy I'll clean it first with Zep and then go back with a clean cloth and Invisible Glass.

Oh, and micro-fiber towels. Some are better than others for being lint free. I don't even know how I existed before these things. I have probably 100 or more in my home and in the garage for cleaning the car. In the kitchen I go through one or two a day, they get washed, folded, stacked and re-used hundreds of times.

 

[Carson Dyle]

whoops

 

[Kaido]

1. Zep Streak-Free Glass Cleaner (with ammonia). Available at Home Depot or Lowes. Infinitely better than Windex. I use this on just about all surfaces in my home. Windows, mirrors, monitors, counter tops, stainless, appliances, bathroom fixtures, and dusting nearly anything.

2. Invisible Glass. I only use it on auto glass. Kinda pricey, and not a substance I want to be breathing very often. If the glass is really grungy I'll clean it first with Zep and then go back with a clean cloth and Invisible Glass.

Oh, and micro-fiber towels. Some are better than others for being lint free. I don't even know how I existed before these things. I have probably 100 or more in my home and in the garage for cleaning the car. In the kitchen I go through one or two a day, they get washed, folded, stacked and re-used hundreds of times.

Interesting, I have not tried (or heard of) Invisible Glass, and you're the second poster to mention it.

For home cleaning, I pretty much just live off Chlorox wipes. 4-pack from Sam's Club lasts a good while at my house & handles countertops, handles, toilets, you name it. I did use Windex wipes for awhile (very convenient), but they were a little pricey for the quantity (I kept a flexible package in each bathroom for quick weekly cleaning) & the DIY stuff in the OP does a slightly better job anyway (oddly enough, I like the Windex wipes better than actual Windex).

 

[paperfist]

Actually SprayWay aerosol is da best.

That spray bottle is over priced. You can get commercial grade for half that. And paper towels leave lint behind. Surgical huck towels are the way to go and can be washed.

Also, rubbing alcohol alone is a wicked good glass cleaner. 80% or higher.

 

[paperfist]

1. Zep Streak-Free Glass Cleaner (with ammonia). Available at Home Depot or Lowes. Infinitely better than Windex. I use this on just about all surfaces in my home. Windows, mirrors, monitors, counter tops, stainless, appliances, bathroom fixtures, and dusting nearly anything.

2. Invisible Glass. I only use it on auto glass. Kinda pricey, and not a substance I want to be breathing very often. If the glass is really grungy I'll clean it first with Zep and then go back with a clean cloth and Invisible Glass.

Oh, and micro-fiber towels. Some are better than others for being lint free. I don't even know how I existed before these things. I have probably 100 or more in my home and in the garage for cleaning the car. In the kitchen I go through one or two a day, they get washed, folded, stacked and re-used hundreds of times.

Microfiber on glass after awhile leaves behind micro white haze. In my experience. Where do you get yours from?

 

[Carson Dyle]

Microfiber on glass after awhile leaves behind micro white haze. In my experience. Where do you get yours from?

Micro white haze? Not sure what that is. From lint?

It's been a few years since I had a to buy any. I want to say Zwipes for the smaller 12" square ones I use around the house, Then I have some larger, thicker ones that I've gotten at auto parts stores that I use in the car.

 

[daveybrat]

Actually SprayWay aerosol is da best.

That spray bottle is over priced. You can get commercial grade for half that. And paper towels leave lint behind. Surgical huck towels are the way to go and can be washed.

Also, rubbing alcohol alone is a wicked good glass cleaner. 80% or higher.

SprayWay Glass Cleaner is awesome. I use it to clean windows, plastic, and even my LCD screen and TV. That stuff is awesome and cheap. Around $3.00 a giant can. It's made in the USA and Ammonia free.

 

[paperfist]

Micro white haze? Not sure what that is. From lint?

It's been a few years since I had a to buy any. I want to say Zwipes for the smaller 12" square ones I use around the house, Then I have some larger, thicker ones that I've gotten at auto parts stores that I use in the car.

lol I made that term up. I run a commercial cleaning business and I've tried just about every microfiber out there. Eventually they leave a fine lint on the surface. It got so bad we had to stop using them and switched to surgical huck towels.

Microfibers are awesome for everything else.

 

[Kaido]

SprayWay Glass Cleaner is awesome. I use it to clean windows, plastic, and even my LCD screen and TV. That stuff is awesome and cheap. Around $3.00 a giant can. It's made in the USA and Ammonia free.

Where do you find it?

 

[daveybrat]

Where do you find it?

Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sprayway-Streakless-Glass-Cleaner-19-oz/19662711

Home Depot: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sprayway-19-oz-Glass-Cleaner-SW050R/202742037

And other stores carry it too. Home Depot is the cheapest.

 

[snoopy7548]

Microfiber on glass after awhile leaves behind micro white haze. In my experience. Where do you get yours from?

I've noticed that too. I clean my house's windows with Windex and coffee filters, and when I'm finished there are absolutely no streaks, but if direct sun hits a window just right, I can see a sort of dull/white clear haze streaks. Weird stuff. Maybe I'm cleaning too much after the Windex has already dried and leaving a "burn" streak from the coffee filter?

 

[paperfist]

I've noticed that too. I clean my house's windows with Windex and coffee filters, and when I'm finished there are absolutely no streaks, but if direct sun hits a window just right, I can see a sort of dull/white clear haze streaks. Weird stuff. Maybe I'm cleaning too much after the Windex has already dried and leaving a "burn" streak from the coffee filter?

It's the Windex. I heard it contains silica, but don't know for sure. For years we used gallons of it a week and it drove me crazy because it did what you are saying. Even after deep cleaning glass with a squeegee a week after spot cleaning with Windex the white effect was back.

I spent hundreds trying different rags to no avail. The huck towels had the best results but the haze was still there.

Finally someone said it's the Windex dummy, use Sprayway. That put an end to the frustration. It's not ideal for commercial use because of the cost and if you drop the bottle the sprayer is history. The trade off is worth it though.

Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sprayway-Streakless-Glass-Cleaner-19-oz/19662711

Home Depot: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sprayway-19-oz-Glass-Cleaner-SW050R/202742037

And other stores carry it too. Home Depot is the cheapest.

One of our Walmart carry a double pack. I want to say it's $2.77.

 

[Kaido]

I've noticed that too. I clean my house's windows with Windex and coffee filters, and when I'm finished there are absolutely no streaks, but if direct sun hits a window just right, I can see a sort of dull/white clear haze streaks. Weird stuff. Maybe I'm cleaning too much after the Windex has already dried and leaving a "burn" streak from the coffee filter?

That's the problem I was having on my cars too...you'd be driving and the sunlight would hit it and you would see haze streaks.

 

[luv2liv]

you are trying too hard.
for streak free and crystal clear, all i do to clean glass and mirrors is first wet the surface with water, dirt cheap tab water is fine. then use a page of newspaper to wipe the surface dry.
i didnt believe it when i first hear it. for super stubborn stains, use a kitchen cleaner with whatever. then repeat step 1 for that super streak free clear look.
oh yeah, the newspaper have to be black and white. white pages with colors will not work

 

[Kaido]

use a page of newspaper to wipe the surface dry.

Dude, I haven't seen a newspaper in over a decade lol. I don't even know where they sell them anymore...

 

[zinfamous]

Have you tried replacing the water with distilled or even DD water, if you have access to it? I think that might be more effective and you might even be able to mix this up without the cornstarch to remain streak free? I know it's great for cleaning, (I use ~5% Isoprop and DD water for a general electronic device cleaner...and I *think* that is similar to what you use for cleaning modern TV screens?).

^also, I do use newspapers. Since moving into this house, for some reason I get free weekend delivery of the Washington Post. I don't know why, but I like it. ...I haven't seen a bill, anyway.

 

[paperfist]

Have you tried replacing the water with distilled or even DD water, if you have access to it? I think that might be more effective and you might even be able to mix this up without the cornstarch to remain streak free? I know it's great for cleaning, (I use ~5% Isoprop and DD water for a general electronic device cleaner...and I *think* that is similar to what you use for cleaning modern TV screens?).

^also, I do use newspapers. Since moving into this house, for some reason I get free weekend delivery of the Washington Post. I don't know why, but I like it. ...I haven't seen a bill, anyway.

We use RO/DD water for exterior windows. No other chemicals, the stuff is wicked because there's no dissolved solids and the glass comes out spot and streak free even in the sun.

 

[zinfamous]

We use RO/DD water for exterior windows. No other chemicals, the stuff is wicked because there's no dissolved solids and the glass comes out spot and streak free even in the sun.

Oh that's awesome. I have an endless, free supply out of the taps at the lab.

...Also have far more expensive ultra Pure (MilliQ) water, which is fed by the same DD feed. ...wonder if that would strip the glass itself...somehow...after years?