How to Clean Windows with Vinegar

If you have tried to clean your windows with plain vinegar and gotten streaks, there is a simple reason and an easy remedy.

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 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.)

Read more: Home, Non-Toxic Cleaning, vinegar, windows

By Annie B. Bond

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

Rona S.

9:08AM PST on Jan 5, 2012

I used newspaper (with vinegar and a little detergent) for cleaning windows for a long time because of the excellent results and high shine. Now I've converted to microfibre cloths just because they are a lot quicker to produce a shine. I still use a little vinegar and detergent in the mix just to shift the dirt. (See my website Greenfootsteps.com/cleaning-with-vinegar for more details). The trick is to wash the window first as described and then polish with a dry or almost dry microfibre cloth. They are also great for cleaning painted walls of grease and dirt, though you may remove a little of the paint, too if you rub too hard. We did this in the kitchen and the place looked like it had been repainted.

send a green star

Jo K.

5:30PM PDT on Oct 11, 2011

I used this formula and cleaned the 24+ windows on my house yesterday. It works great! I added only a couple drops of dish detergent. Definitely wear gloves since they will get blackened by the newspaper. I had to keep taking the gloves off when I handled the window frames to avoid getting black prints on the vinyl frames. Also found that saliva rubbed with my finger quickly removed the black residue.

Ida J.

4:30AM PDT on Sep 3, 2011

thanks

Judy T.

11:08AM PDT on Jul 24, 2010

I used this solution for cleaning my kitchen windows today and it made the job so easy. They came clean with hardly any effort. Spray on, wipe with a cloth, and then dry with paper towels that can be used on more than one window. NO streaks!! Great idea.

Chealse B.

3:28AM PDT on Jul 16, 2010

Hahahaha cleaningwindows with vinegar that's sound intresting. Have to try it. Somewhere i think i read about making home vinegar.

Diana C.

6:48AM PDT on Jul 14, 2010

For the paint spots make a paste using a little bit of bicarbonate of soda and water. Rub the sport with it, then you could clean the windows as normally you would do.
Another solution for window cleaning: use microfiber cloth and warm water to clean the dust from your windows. Put vinegar and water in a spray bottle and rinse the windows. Finally wipe them dry.

Mark S.

8:53AM PDT on Apr 28, 2010

Cleaning with vinegar is a great way to avoid exposure to many hazardous commercial household cleaners and it's cheaper, safer and easier on the environment.

The cheaper distilled white vinegar, available at your local supermarket, is the best type to use for cleaning. The acetic acid in vinegar is an effective disinfectant, deodorizer, and cleaner which will cut grease and soap scum, dissolve mineral buildup, and inhibit mold and bacteria growth.

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Tony P.

6:23PM PDT on Mar 17, 2010

my van ha water stains on its windows. i've tried window washers, vinegar and dishwashing soap and still doesnt work. can anyone help me on this problem?

Bryan F.

9:03PM PDT on Mar 15, 2010

Actually when you use the dish soap you don't even need to add vinegar. Instead of wiping the solution off with a towel, use a squeegee for a streak free finish. I should know, I'm a professional window cleaner for this company: http://www.austintxwindowcleaning.com

Robert S.

6:07PM PST on Feb 28, 2010

Excellent! Thanks.