How to use Vinegar for Windows

When I wash the windows with vinegar I get streaks. What am I doing wrong?

Oddly enough, it was the task of cleaning windows that turned a huge number of well-intentioned, environmentally friendly consumers away from nontoxic 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 nontoxic cleaning and it didn’t work. I used vinegar to clean my 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.)

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Genoveva M.

4:28AM PDT on Apr 13, 2013

Thanks for the information :)

April 13
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Patty B.

9:14AM PDT on Mar 27, 2013

Great hint ! Never thought of using a dab of dish soap !

March 27
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Eva D.

1:13PM PDT on Mar 20, 2013

worth to try

March 20
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Michele W.

12:29PM PDT on Sep 3, 2012

Thank you

September 3
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christina t.

12:26PM PDT on Sep 3, 2012

Vinegar is great in your bathroom if you live in a humid place and are prone to mold. My neighbour uses lemon juice. I always use old newspapers on windows and mirrors, no streaks and a good work out for the arms.

paul m.

8:22AM PDT on Sep 3, 2012

Thanks

Winn A.

5:58PM PDT on Jun 28, 2012

Thanks for sharing.

June 28
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Heidi A.

2:08AM PDT on May 30, 2012

I liked the tip from Dorothy C. about using it for shower doors. Here is a tip I learned in Tae Kwon Do class. On Satruday(the end of the week for classes) Master Chung Ho Kim would have the class grab some newspaper, crumple it up and we would wipe down the mirrored walls. It worked amazingly well at removing sweat splatters and fingerprints alike.