No one wants dirty windows during the best weather of the year, and there is an easy way to get spotless glass using a natural cleaner that only takes five minutes to make.
Windows often become dusty in the summer due to increased pollen and other airborne particles, but it can be frustrating trying to clean glass without leaving streaks. However, Adrienne Urban, a cleaning expert and the founder of Whole New Mom, has shared a simple homemade solution that will keep windows sparkling clean.
The Secret Ingredient: Cornstarch
She said: “This No Streak Homemade Window Cleaner [is] super easy to make, is much safer than a lot of the store-bought options, and leaves your windows and mirrors streak-free. Plus, it costs almost nothing to make, so it’s easy on the budget too.”
It may sound strange, but the secret to getting streak-free windows is cornstarch, as it prevents streaks from forming on windows without leaving a residue like many commercial cleaners.
Adrienne explained: “On a microscopic level, glass is not perfectly smooth. When you spray water on it, the water molecules get caught in the pits on the glass surface. Water also clings to itself through hydrogen bonding, with hydrogen atoms from two molecules clinging together.” Liquid sticking to the glass or becoming stuck to itself is what causes streaking, and using cornstarch in your homemade cleaner will disrupt the hydrogen bonding to prevent streaks.
How to Make a No-Streak Homemade Window Cleaner
What you need:
- One tablespoon of cornstarch
- 60ml of white vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 60ml of vodka
- 500ml of water
- Empty spray bottle
- 10 drops of lemon, orange, or lavender essential oil (optional)
Why These Ingredients Work:
- White vinegar is acidic, which helps break down most dirt that accumulates on glass surfaces and does not leave a residue when it evaporates, making it very effective at cleaning windows.
- Vodka contains ethanol, a type of alcohol that can dissolve grease and evaporates quickly, so it will not leave behind streaks or spots when it dries.
Adrienne also recommends adding essential oils to this homemade solution if you wish, but it is optional. Many essential oils can be toxic to dogs and cats, so be careful if using them around your home if you have pets.
Method
- Combine all the ingredients in the spray bottle and make sure to shake it thoroughly before each use as the cornstarch can clog the spray nozzle otherwise.
- Spray it onto your window, and then use a microfibre cloth to wipe the glass clean.
- Use two cloths, one for washing the glass and the other for drying, to avoid streaks.
- Dry the window, and you should have a clean and streak-free window without any fuss.
This simple homemade cleaner can be used on windows, mirrors, and other glass appliances around your home, like a glass shower door or oven door. However, do not use it on your eyeglasses as it will cause the lens coating to deteriorate, which can scratch and damage them.
This homemade solution can be used on glass near stainless steel, aluminium, ceramic, or plastic surfaces but do not use it near marble, as the vinegar in this homemade solution can damage the stone surface.
