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Annie B. Bond

The Right Way to Clean Windows with Vinegar

posted by Annie B. Bond Jul 21, 2008 1:00 pm
filed under: Blogs, Ask Annie
The Right Way to Clean Windows with Vinegar
11 comments

Q: I can’t seem to clean windows with vinegar without leaving streaks. Any suggestions? –Pat B., NY

A: Oddly enough, it was the task of cleaning windows that
turned a huge number of well-intentioned, environmentally
friendly consumers away from non-toxic cleaning using the
simple ingredients that can be found in most kitchen cupboards.
Around Earth Day 1990, every newspaper in the country
(or so it seemed), offered tips for cleaning in ways that didn’t
harm the planet, and the recommendation for windows was
almost always to clean them with nothing but vinegar and water.
People by the thousands tried this, and many swore off cleaning
with homemade products for good because the formula left
streaks on their windows. (I wish I had $1 for every time
someone has said to me, “Well, I tried non-toxic cleaning and it
didn’t work. I used vinegar to clean the windows …”)

The problem was that the commercial window cleaner used before the switch to vinegar left a very fine wax residue. The vinegar alone wasn’t enough to remove it, and the result was streaky windows. If instead, everyone had added a dab of liquid dish soap to the vinegar and water, the wax would easily have been removed and the windows would have been cleaned perfectly!

My favorite recipe is to combine 2 cups of water, 1/4 cup of white distilled vinegar, and up to 1/2 teaspoon of liquid soap or detergent in a spray bottle. That’s all there is to it. (Make sure to label the bottle and keep it out of the reach of children.)

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11 comments

11 comments

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11 comments add your comment
Tara-Lee W.

I used 2 cups of water, squirt of dish liquid and 1/4 cup of white vinegar. I used a car wash brush so scrub them then wiped off with a squegee after 3 windows and a sliding door the water was filthy but NO STREAKS and very clean glass. Thankyou Anne so much greener and easier no elbow grease

Tammy S.

I've been washing mine using a micro-fibre cloth and water with a little dish soap for a year now. The windows always sparkle. What's the need for the vinegar?

Annie Bond

Hi, Thanks for your comments. Note that I never recommend ammonia because it is a dangerous ingredient for your home (and can be fatal if mixed with bleach). --Annie

Alaina H.

Here is a recipe I've used for over 30 years. Fill large spray bottle with cool water, add 3 T. ammonia, 1 T. vinegar, a pinch of cornstarch and for saftey purposes a drop of food coloring. Works great and no streaks. (if windows are really dusty with city soot or dirt, I use a cheap paint brush to brush the loose dirt off before using spray.)

Keith I.

My grandmother taught me, about 50 years ago, to use a mix of vinegar and ammonia in water, about two tablespoons of vinegar to one tablespoon of ammonia in a gallon of tap water, a fairly weak solution and the ammonia was what cut the grease and oil. She would apply the solution with a sponge or cloth, then dry with a soft clean cloth, or even better, with newspaper. That was the real trick, to use newsprint to polish the window when is't still a little damp from the cleaning. It really works. The paper is still recyclable if you let it dry out before putting it back with the rest of the paper.

Karen Lapierre

i'm 54. i remember my grandmother teaching me to use vinegar...can't remember if we added water. then clean with the newspaper. however, clean the windows while the sun is NOT shining on the window to be cleaned.

Barbara B.

You need to clean the wax residue from the commercial cleaner before vinegar and water will work. Then the vinegar water combo will work perfectly!

Katie C.

I honestly feel you need to wash your window with detergent, to remove the dirt, otherwise you are just moving the dirt, etc. around.
Makes for less cloths as well..
I expect this depends on how often you clean your windows.. mebbe I dont clean mine often enough.

Diane L.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to explain and comment on what may seem to be a trivial topic. My cleaning person was recently let go, and it seemed that no matter what product I used, or how I used it (horizontally or vertically), as soon as the windows were dry they were streaked! At the age of 50+ I felt like a fool!

Kathy Breedlove

I have found that the vinegar/water/dish soap combo is great for cleaning up greasy residue that accumulates on top of the refrigerator, but I changed the ratio to 1/2 water, 1/2 vinegar. This also takes the nicotine residue off car windows, but to get rid of all streaks, I followed up with straight vinegar spray then wiped with newspaper.

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Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

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