Learn how to make a natural, homemade glass cleaner for windows, mirrors, and other glass surfaces with this easy-to-follow recipe and step-by-step DIY instructions.
This natural DIY glass cleaner is the best homemade window cleaner I have ever tried, made with all-natural ingredients. It can also work wonders on mirrors, glass shower stalls, glass stovetops, car windows, glass tables, and other grimy surfaces.
Discover how to use common household ingredients to create a powerful DIY glass cleaner that leaves your windows, mirrors, and other glass surfaces crystal clear without streaks or residue. The recipe and step-by-step instructions are provided below. You may also enjoy this article about creating natural DIY cleaning products.
This glass cleaning solution can also be used as an all-purpose cleaner. However, please read the information about surfaces that are best avoided for cleaning, such as marble and granite, at the bottom of the post before use.
Benefits of making homemade glass cleaner with natural ingredients:
There are many benefits to making natural cleaning products. The desire to reduce waste and harmful toxins in the environment is an excellent reason to make this homemade glass cleaner recipe.
Another fantastic reason to make this natural cleaning solution for any glass surface is to keep children and pets away from toxic substances in the house. If you have children, you might also enjoy creating a DIY Cleaning Kit for them.
DIY Glass Cleaner:
I learned how to make glass cleaner with vinegar while working as a yoga instructor. Most yoga studios have glass windows and mirrors that require daily cleaning, and many have turned to vinegar as their primary eco-friendly glass cleaner of choice.
The problem? The homemade glass cleaning solution smells like vinegar — ugh!
When I added essential oil to my favorite natural window cleaning recipe, I began to love cleaning with it. The smell of vinegar is still present, but the essential oils included in this glass and mirror cleaner recipe tame it nicely.
The best part is that the dish soap and lemon essential oil enhance the cleaning power of this homemade glass cleaner. I get streak-free, fast-drying shine every time! Alternatively, you can use a good squeeze of lemon in place of essential oils. See the step-by-step DIY glass cleaner instructions below the recipe for directions if you choose this option.
Although rubbing alcohol is also effective for cleaning glass and leaving streak-free windows due to its quick evaporation rate, vinegar is better at dissolving mineral deposits and hard water stains, making it generally more effective at tackling challenging dirty windows and home cleaning jobs in kitchens and bathrooms.
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Best Glass, Mirror, and Window Washing Solution:
This is, hands down, the world’s best glass cleaner I have ever made. The homemade window cleaning solution requires a 1:1 ratio of distilled water to white vinegar. In other words, use the same amount, equal parts, of water and vinegar to make this homemade glass cleaning recipe. Using distilled water instead of tap water is recommended, especially if you live in an area with hard water, as it can help prevent mineral spots from forming on the glass.
When these ingredients are combined with a drop or two of a high-quality, plant-based, biodegradable, eco-friendly dish soap, such as the one recommended in the list of recipe ingredients below, you’ll achieve a streak-free shine every time. Adding a drop of dish soap to the DIY mixture can help break down greasy residue and clean smudges, fingerprints, and other marks, leaving windows and other glass fixtures sparkling.
Although Dawn dish soap is often used to make homemade window cleaner because it excels at removing grease and grime, it is formulated with synthetic ingredients, dyes, fragrances, and other chemicals that can be harmful to aquatic life. It also contains endocrine disruptors that interfere with the body’s hormones and can potentially cause a range of health problems. Therefore, I don’t recommend it in all-natural household cleaners such as this ammonia-free glass cleaning recipe.
Ammonia-Free Glass Cleaner Recipe:
- 1 cup (8 ounces) of distilled water.
- 1 cup (8 ounces) white vinegar.
- 1-3 drops of eco-friendly liquid dish soap.
- 20 drops of lemon essential oil or a squeeze of lemon juice.
The glass and window cleaner recipe listed above can fill a 16-oz spray bottle. I prefer to use clear spray bottles for glass cleaner, blue spray bottles for DIY all-purpose cleaning solution, and amber-colored (or brown) bottles for wood polish. Doing so helps everyone in the house know at first glance which homemade cleaning product they need to grab to get the job done.
However, I recommend using a bucket to make glass cleaner when using a squeegee or cleaning large windows that require a more thorough soaking. To mix the solution in a larger container, such as a bucket, for large or heavy-duty cleaning projects, fill it with equal parts distilled water and white vinegar. Then add 1 to 3 teaspoons of dish soap and 1/2 teaspoon of essential oils if desired.
Vinegar and dish soap help remove dirt and filmy scum from windows, leaving them smudge-free, while lemon is also fantastic at eliminating grease and grime from windows and other glass surfaces. Essential oils provide a concentrated amount but feel free to substitute a squeeze of lemon juice (or another essential oil) in place of lemon essential oil. Orange, lime, grapefruit, or a blend of citrus essential oils also work great in this glass cleaning solution. Get lemon, orange, and more in this lovely set of Organic essential oils!
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Recommended Supplies for Making Homemade Glass Cleaner:
- 16-ounce spray bottle (or use a sturdy bucket for larger cleaning projects.)
- Funnel (optional)
- 16-ounce glass measuring cup (optional).
I prefer to use glass spray bottles for our homemade window cleaning solution because essential oils last longer in glass containers, and using glass bottles can help reduce plastic waste. The planet is in desperate need of less plastic! Glass spray bottles also look much nicer sitting on a countertop than plastic ones.
If you’re concerned about breaking glass, consider using a silicone sleeve to protect the glass spray bottle from damage. Scroll past the list of cleaning supplies for step-by-step instructions on how to make the DIY glass cleaner using the ingredients and supplies above.
Best Glass Cleaning Supplies:
Cleaning windows, mirrors, and other glass surfaces, such as shower stalls and car windshields, requires the proper tools to get the job done effectively. Avoid streaks and ensure a sparkling finish with the best glass window cleaning supplies:
- DIY glass cleaner in a spray bottle or bucket:
- Use the recipe provided above and follow the directions below to prepare a fantastic glass cleaning solution.
- Microfiber cloths:
- A soft, lint-free cloth is the most helpful for streak-free wiping and drying.
- Squeegee:
- A squeegee with a rubber edge helps remove cleaner and water without leaving streaks.
- Use a handheld squeegee for smaller projects or a multi-use squeegee with an extension pole for larger projects or hard-to-reach windows.
- A soft sponge or scrubber pad:
- Soft sponges and non-abrasive scrubbing pads help loosen dirt, bugs, bird droppings, and other stuck-on debris.
- The sponge side of a squeegee is also great for this purpose.
- Soft sponges and non-abrasive scrubbing pads help loosen dirt, bugs, bird droppings, and other stuck-on debris.
- Extension pole (optional):
- Long handles make it easy to clean hard-to-reach windows.
- An extension pole is included in the multi-use squeegee kit above.
- Lint-free paper towels or newspaper (optional):
- Shop towels, or other lint-free paper towels, can also be used to clean windows.
- Using a newspaper is an old-school but effective method for buffing glass.
How to Make Homemade Glass Cleaner: Step-by-Step Instructions:
This DIY tutorial teaches you how to mix vinegar and water using the recipe above to make a homemade professional-quality glass cleaner for windows, mirrors, and other glass surfaces, such as glass shower doors and stalls, car windshields, glass stovetops, and more. Use the quick and easy step-by-step instructions listed below:
1. Gather the supplies:
- Grab a 16-oz spray bottle (or a bucket) and the all-natural ingredients recommended for making this homemade natural glass cleaner, as listed in the recipe and DIY supply list above.
2. Add distilled water:
- Fill a spray bottle or bucket halfway with distilled water:
- Use a liquid measuring cup and a funnel (if desired) to pour 1 cup of distilled water directly into a spray bottle, filling it halfway.
- Alternatively, fill a bucket halfway with distilled water.
3. Mix in vinegar:
- Use the funnel and measuring cup to add 1 cup of white vinegar directly into the spray bottle for the homemade window cleaning solution.
- In other words, fill the remainder of the bottle with white vinegar.
- Be sure to leave a small amount of space for a few drops of dish soap and essential oils if desired.
4. Add liquid dish soap:
- Next, add a few drops of liquid dish soap to the cleaning mixture.
- One drop is often enough for a spray bottle, while a bucket may need up to 5 drops, depending on the size.
5. Add essential oil or lemon juice (optional):
- Add approximately 20 drops of lemon essential oil to a spray bottle.
- Put 1/2 teaspoon of essential oils into the mix if you are making it in a bucket.
- Alternatively, you can use a squeeze of lemon juice (1/8 to 1/4 cup), but you will need to use a bit less vinegar and water to fit it into a 16-ounce spray bottle.
- Alternatively, substitute grapefruit, lime, orange, or a blend of citrus essential oils to create a homemade window cleaner with a fresh citrus scent.
6. Screw the spray nozzle onto the bottle:
- This step is unnecessary if you are using a bucket to mix this glass cleaning solution.
- Put the nozzle on the spray bottle.
- Give the homemade window cleaning solution a gentle swirl, then shake it gently.
- Next, push down on the spray nozzle to prime the pump, preparing it for washing the windows and mirrors.
Best Window Cleaner and More!
Get ready for spring cleaning with this quick and easy DIY glass cleaner made with all-natural ingredients. Not only is it the best window cleaner for indoor and outdoor use. But it is also an excellent mirror cleaner, car window cleaner, glasses cleaner, glass shower stall cleaner, and more. However, there are a few surfaces that are not recommended for cleaning with this vinegar-based glass cleaner recipe. Please read through the tips below to learn more:
Instructions for Using This cleaning solution as an all-purpose cleaner:
I have also used this DIY window cleaner to clean sinks and countertops, as well as wipe down metal faucets and fixtures in the bathroom and kitchen. I believe you’ll also find this window-washing recipe to be the best homemade glass cleaner around. However, please refrain from using it on natural stone surfaces, such as marble or granite.
Do not use vinegar to clean marble or granite:
Although this homemade cleaning solution containing vinegar can also be used as an all-purpose cleaner, it should not be used on Marble surfaces. The acidity of vinegar can damage these stones, which can wear away at the finish and cause dull spots that damage the surface. In extreme cases, using vinegar on these natural stone surfaces can cause permanent damage. Instead of using this all-purpose cleaner, please opt for a natural cleaning solution designed for cleaning stone surfaces.
Don’t use glass cleaner with ammonia or vinegar on tinted windows:
This vinegar-based window cleaner is not recommended for tinted windows. Like Ammonia, vinegar can cause discoloration and damage to window tinting over time. Both of these substances can break down the dyes in the film, affecting the film’s ability to filter out UV rays and regulate the internal temperature of the home or building.
Best glass cleaner for tinted windows:
To clean tinted windows, it is best to use a window cleaning solution of 1/2 ounce (3 teaspoons) of dish soap for every quart of distilled water or 2 ounces (4 tablespoons or 1/4 cup) of dish soap per gallon of water.
Use vinegar with caution on stainless steel:
I also recommend exercising caution when using it on stainless steel. Although vinegar can help remove grease and grime from stainless steel, it’s a good idea to spot-test an area first and avoid leaving it on the surface for an extended period. Although this solution is diluted, prolonged exposure to undiluted vinegar can cause damage; therefore, it’s always best to err on the side of caution to prevent potential harm.
Eco-Friendly DIY Recipe for Professionally Cleaning Windows, Mirrors, and Other Glass Surfaces:
Switching to a natural, eco-friendly DIY glass cleaner is a simple yet effective way to reduce your exposure to harsh chemicals, lower your carbon footprint, and save money while keeping your home clean and sparkling. For more homemade cleaning recipes, please visit Natural Cleaning Recipes or browse the list below.
With just a few common household ingredients, you can create an effective cleaner that leaves your windows, mirrors, and other glass surfaces crystal clear, with no streaks of residue. Not only is this approach better for the environment, but it’s also budget-friendly and easy to customize with different types of essential oils if you choose to use them.
By making homemade glass cleaner with the ingredients and recipe above, you’re taking a small step towards a cleaner, greener lifestyle, one spray or dip in the bucket at a time. You may also enjoy exploring these alternative ways to care for the Earth. The ideas include additional green living tips to help reduce climate change.
Learn more about the author of this DIY glass cleaning recipe, Nell Regan Kartychok, and Rhythms of Play HERE!
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