While windows do get dirty and acquire residue and scratches, there's no need to clutter your cabinets with commercial products that drain your budget. Home remedies for cleaning and maintaining your windows are easy and inexpensive while using ingredients and supplies you likely already have in your kitchen. For basic cleaning, removing adhesive residue, or buffing our scratches try the following methods.
When performing basic cleaning on your windows, homemade cleaners require a few simple ingredients you probably already have stocked. Try one of the following concoctions:
Vinegar and Water:
Vinegar is extremely effective at cutting through film and leaving glass free of smudges and streaks. To make a vinegar cleaning solution, mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray directly onto the glass and immediately wipe it off, being sure i doesn't have time to dry. If you have water spots that are being especially stubborn, try scrubbing them with a cloth and undiluted vinegar.
Lemon Juice:
If you don't like the smell of vinegar, Good Housekeeping recommends using straight lemon juice as a substitute. Like vinegar, lemon juice will cut through grease and grime and leave a streak-free polish.
Vinegar and Dish Soap: Sometimes if you've been washing your windows with commercial products, it can leave a film that is hard for vinegar to remove on it's own. If you're noticing a lackluster result from the vinegar/water solution, try this mixture to remove the residue of your past products:
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid dish soap
Combine in a spray bottle and use this for an initial cleaning of your windows. After using, you should be able to return to the plain vinegar and water solution in the future.
If you're cleaning your outside windows and they are caked with dirt, try rinsing them with a hose before using one of these cleaners. That way you can focus on the detailed cleaning rather than wasting cleaner and cloths on removing dirt.
Speaking of cloths, for all of these solutions wiping with a microfiber cloth achieves the best results.
They are a bit of an investment, but worth it if you want the best. If you can't do microfiber, plain wash clothes, paper towels, a squeegee, or even newspaper will all do the trick. Be careful with newspaper though as the ink can smudge onto your window panes-otherwise it's an old-time favorite for acquiring a streak-free shine.
Removing Adhesive Residue
If you have adhesive residue left on your windows from tape, glue, or stickers it will take a little more than vinegar or lemon juice to get it off. The best solution that you already have in your home is straight bleach. Pour a little on a paper towel or white cloth, being careful not to spill on your clothes, and then directly scrub the residue. It will take a little elbow grease, but the bleach will bring results.
If the sticker or tape is still on your window-not just the adhesive residue-use a straight razor blade to remove it before trying the bleach method. Just gently slide the razor blade across the surface of the glass to turn up the edges of the sticker or tape. Be careful not to press too hard, as excessive pressure could make scratches in your windows.
Buffing Out Scratches
If scratches are on your windows, either from your poor use of a razor blade or other uncontrollable forces, apply toothpaste to the scratched area and buff out the scratch with a cotton ball or soft cloth. Easy as that!
As was said before, you don't need to clean and maintain your windows with expensive commercial products that take up storage space in your cupboards. Instead, try these home remedies to keep your windows looking clean and new.