Make your own eco-friendly window cleaner
There are simply hundreds of window cleaning products, solutions and sprays that claim to leave your widows gleaming and smudge-free – but what nasty chemicals do they contain? Many window cleaning solutions are packed with potentially harmful chemicals that could pollute the air in your house, or run into the drains or into the soil in your garden.
If your windows are in need of a clean, why not make your own window cleaner? These eco-friendly window cleaners will leave your windows shiny and streak-free, without the nasty toxins.
Indoor window cleaner
The inside of your windows will require a less intensive cleaning solution. The most common need to clean windows on the inside is due to mucky finger marks, dust and streaks. You might also want your solution to have a pleasant smell that will leave a clean scent afterwards. When cleaning windows with home-made products, you will need a cloth and a spray bottle to transfer your solution in to.
- 1 part white vinegar
- 1 part surgical spirit
- 1 tbsp corn flour
- 8 parts water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
How it works
White vinegar is an excellent cleaning solution, as it is both antibacterial and an effective mould killer. What’s more, evaporates without leaving a lingering scent. Vinegar is great for cleaning windows as it cuts through grease to leave no streaky residue behind. The rubbing alcohol will help to remove any stubborn marks, and evaporates completely for minimised streaking.
Corn starch is the magic ingredient to your eco-friendly window cleaner that will leave your windows gleaming without a streak in sight. Lemon is also an antibacterial, and will leave your home smelling crisp and fresh. Dilute with warm water to reduce the acidity, transfer to a spray bottle and away you go.
Outdoor window cleaner
Your exterior windows are subject to a lot more than your inner windows. Wind, rain, traffic fumes, bird droppings, mould, dirt and cold weather all wreak havoc on your windows, and as such your cleaning solution will need to be more intensive. You’ll also need to use more heavy duty tools – a scrubbing brush and a hose.
- 1 part white wine vinegar
- 8 parts warm water
- ½ teaspoon eco-friendly dish detergent
How it works
Warm water will help to lift any dried on marks, and with the added dish detergent the soapy lather will make short work of dirt and grime. The white vinegar will kill any mould, and leave a streak-free finish. Apply by making up a bucket full, dipping your bristle brush and scrubbing the windows. Rinse with the hose and allow to dry naturally.
Your outer windows don’t require the same streak-free solution (alcohol and corn starch) since the next time it rains your extra efforts will all be undone. That being said, if you really want to leave your windows gleaming, feel free to add them to the mix – that’s the beauty with home-made cleaning products!
Do you have a special home-made window cleaner that you swear by? Get in touch on Facebook to share your window cleaning tips.