Cleaning Windows, Mirrors and Glass Naturally

Having clean, streak-free windows, mirrors, and glass surfaces can make a huge difference in the overall appearance of your home. While commercial cleaning products often contain harsh chemicals, you can get great cleaning results using simple, natural ingredients you likely already have at home. In this blog post, we’ll cover why you may want to use natural cleaners, provide recipes for effective natural glass and surface cleaners you can make yourself, and give tips on how to clean windows, mirrors, glass surfaces to get them sparkling clean.

Why Natural Cleaners?

There are a few reasons you may want to clean your glass surfaces using natural ingredients:

1. Avoid harsh chemicals: Many conventional glass cleaners contain chemicals like ammonia, alcohol, fragrances, and detergents that can be irritating to your eyes, skin, and respiratory system. They also get released into the environment. Natural cleaners are much gentler on you and the planet.
2. Cost savings: Since most DIY natural cleaners are made using common household staples like vinegar, lemon juice, and castile soap, they are very affordable to mix up. You likely already have most ingredients you need.
3. Streak-free shine: The best natural glass and surface cleaners can clean just as effectively as conventional options, leaving your surfaces shining without streaks or residue.

Effective Natural Glass & Surface Cleaner Recipes

Here are some easy, affordable natural cleaner recipes you can make at home:

All-Purpose Vinegar Glass Cleaner

• 1 part water
• 1 part white vinegar
• 5-10 drops essential oil (optional)

This mixture of vinegar and water works well for cleaning most glass surfaces. The vinegar helps cut through grease and dissolve hard water deposits. You can add a few drops of essential oils like lemon or orange for some natural fragrance if desired. Shake well before each use.

Lightly Citrus Glass Cleaner

• 2 cups water
• 1/4 cup vodka or rubbing alcohol
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1-2 tbsp castile soap

The lemon juice cuts grease, the alcohol helps dissolve oil and residue, and the small amount of soap helps attach to dirt so you can wipe it away. This leaves glass shiny and lint-free without streaking. Shake before using.

Simple Soap & Water Mixture

• 2 cups water
• 2-3 tbsp liquid castile or other natural soap

Believe it or not, a simple soap and water mix makes an excellent natural cleaner for windows and other glass surfaces. The soap helps lift away dirt and oil, while the water can remove soap residue, leaving surfaces clean and fog-free without chemicals.

Tips for Cleaning Windows, Mirrors & Glass

Now let’s go over some helpful tips for getting your windows, mirrors, glass tables, drinking glasses, etc. sparkling clean:

1. Dust first: Wipe window and glass surfaces with a microfiber cloth or duster brush to remove any loose particles before spraying on cleaner. This prevents scratching.
2. Use newspapers or microfiber: Avoid paper towels. Newspapers work great for an eco-friendly option. The ink absorbs dirt without leaving lint. Microfiber cloths are also very effective glass cleaners.
3. Work in sections: Clean glass surfaces in small sections at a time so cleaner doesn’t dry before you wipe it up. This helps prevent streaking.
4. Dry with a squeegee: After spraying cleaning solution, use a glass squeegee to squeegee surfaces dry. This helps force cleaning solution and dirt off the glass rather than moving it around.
5. Go vertical first: When cleaning windows, wipe up and down in a zigzag pattern first, then left to right. This stops vertical streaks from forming as you clean side-to-side.
6. Handle mirrors gently: Very lightly mist mirrors to avoid getting cleaner behind the glass. Wipe gently in circular motions moving outward from the center using minimal pressure.
7. Rinse dishes thoroughly: When handwashing cups and drinking glasses, thoroughly rinse soap off with hot water. You can follow up with a water and vinegar rinse to remove soap residue. Air dry upside down on a clean dish rack.

Extra Tips for Cleaning Windows

• Clean on an overcast day when the sun won’t cause cleaners to dry too quickly preventing streaking
• Use a razor scraper or blade lightly on stuck-on gunk and debris
• Tackle outdoor windows on a mild day without direct sunlight or wind
• Rinse windows after cleaning using a spray nozzle/hose on a light setting to prevent spotting

Natural Cleaning Products to Try

If you don’t have time to mix up homemade cleaners, there are also some great natural, non-toxic glass cleaning products available:

• Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Glass Cleaner
• Seventh Generation Glass & Surface Cleaner
• Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds Cleaner

The Takeaway

Cleaning glass, mirrors, windows, and other surfaces using simple, non-toxic ingredients like vinegar, rubbing alcohol, lemon juice, and castile soap can help you achieve streak-free shine without exposure to harsh chemicals. Plus, DIY natural cleaners are very budget-friendly to mix up. Follow these tips on methods and motions when cleaning glass, and use microfiber cloths and newspaper instead of paper towels for best results. With some elbow grease and these effective green cleaners, you can easily get your windows, mirrors, and glass surfaces sparkling clean.