Making your own window cleaner is easy to do and all you need are simple ingredients that you likely have around the house already (they’re often much cheaper to make than buying them and can work just as well too). Here’s a bunch of different recipes you can try along with a few tips listed at the bottom to help achieve a streak-free shine.

#1

2 cups rubbing alcohol (70 percent isopropyl)
3/4 gallon of water
–mix together than add
1/2 cup ammonia
1 tsp dish detergent (liquid)
top with water until you have 1 gallon

#2

2 cups water
3 TBS vinegar
1/2 tsp dish detergent (liquid)

#3

1 gallon water
1/4 cup vinegar
1 tsp dish detergent (liquid)

#4

1 gallon water
1/4 cup vinegar
2 TBS lemon juice
squirt dish detergent (liquid)

#5

1/2 cup white vinegar
1 gallon warm water

#6

2 TBSP cornstarch
1/2 cup household ammonia
1/2 cup white vinegar
1 gallon warm water

• Mix the ingredients in a bucket, make sure cornstarch is thoroughly dissolved before using.

#7

1 gallon water
1 cup vinegar
2 TBS cornstarch

• Mix until cornstarch is thoroughly dissolved.

Store these solutions in spray bottles: (will also work on mirrors)

• One part vinegar added to four parts water
• One cup cold strong black tea with 3 TBS of vinegar

Lemon-Fresh Version
First Published May 3, 2010

Here’s a goody sent in by Amanda:

This recipe is for cleaning windows and glass that I’ve used for years, it brings a nice sparkle & shine so I love it! Only a few ingredients are needed:

• 3 TBS lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 2 cups club soda (you can use water too or a mix of water and club soda but I prefer 100% club soda)
• 1 tsp cornstarch

Pour everything into a spray bottle then shake well before using.

Thanks so much for sharing Amanda!

Tips:

• Spray with preferred solution then wipe with crumpled newspapers. The newspaper helps prevent streaks.
• Using coffee filters to wipe can also give streak-free results (shared by Brenda in the comment section below).
• Avoid washing when the sun is hot and shining–it will dry too fast and there will be streaks.
• Also wash one side of the glass in an up and down direction, on the other side scrub side to side. This will help determine which side has the streaks that need to be polished out.