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The BEST Dang Homemade Glass Cleaner (Easy, Streak Free & Non-Toxic)

Truly the best dang homemade glass cleaner recipe you will try… This homemade window cleaner is easy, streak free & non-toxic, AND it’s just 4 ingredients!

best homemade glass cleaner made with just 4 ingredients

Homemade Glass Cleaner

Best is such a subjective term, don’t you think? And I feel like it’s used far too freely these days. Everyone has the “best” recipe for this and the “best” recipe for that… They can’t all be the BEST, right?

Prior to sharing this DIY glass cleaner recipe, I’ve posted exactly two recipes in my 8+ years of blogging that I called the best — this whipped buttercream frosting recipe and this strawberry daiquiri recipe. And judging from the response both of those recipes have received over the years, I was completely justified…

The Best Homemade Window Cleaner Recipe

So when I call this the BEST dang homemade window cleaner, just know that a lot of trial and error has gone into developing this recipe, and I truly feel it’s earned that title! I had a few specific criteria in mind when I was creating this homemade glass cleaner recipe:

1| Non-toxic — making my own homemade household cleaners isn’t just about saving money. It’s also about removing unnecessary toxins, which is why I developed this recipe using 80-proof vodka (the cheap stuff, of course!) instead of isopropyl alcohol. Vodka contains ethyl alcohol which is safe for human consumption, while isopropyl alcohol is toxic when absorbed.

2| Simple — the remaining 3 ingredients are distilled water, white vinegar and a few drops of essential oil, meaning this recipe is easy enough that even my kids can mix up a batch. With a rambunctious Weimaraner puppy and five kids, our windows need cleaned frequently, so I wanted everyone in our household to be able to refill the bottle as needed.

3| Streak-free — maybe this goes without saying, but a glass cleaner that isn’t truly streak free just isn’t worth the time and effort to use. Am I right?!

Above all, it had to pass muster with my husband. He’s more than a little attached to that blue stuff we both used growing up, and no other glass cleaner recipe I’ve tried prior to this was worthy in his eyes.

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how to make diy glass cleaner with 4 ingredients

DIY Glass Cleaner — Is Essential Oil Required?

In short, yes — the essential oil serves a purpose beyond just helping to cover the scent of the vinegar. It’s the key ingredient that makes this window cleaner recipe streak free.

You may have seen a number of other DIY glass cleaner recipes online that call for cornstarch to make them streak free. While I found that they did live up to the streak-free promise, they also left a bit of residue behind. And the cornstarch always settled in the bottom of the bottle, requiring a lot of vigorous shaking each time I needed to use it.

The essential oil in this recipe serves the same purpose — breaking the hydrogen bond that causes water molecules to get trapped in the pitted surface of glass, i.e. what causes streaking. You’ll still have to shake the bottle frequently, but it provides a more pleasant user experience (less odor and no residue)!

homemade glass cleaner made with only 4 ingredients

How to Make Homemade Window Cleaner

This homemade glass cleaner is seriously simple to make… Just combine all four ingredients in the quantities listed below in a pretty spray bottle, give it a good shake, and you’re ready to go!

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homemade glass cleaner recipe

BEST Homemade Glass Cleaner

Yield: 1 (16-oz.) spray bottle
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Truly the best dang homemade glass cleaner recipe you will try… This homemade window cleaner is easy, streak free & non-toxic!

Materials

Instructions

  1. Using a silicone funnel, pour the distilled water, vodka, and white vinegar into a glass spray bottle.
  2. Add 8-10 drops of your favorite essential oil and replace the nozzle. Shake well.
  3. Spray on windows, mirrors, etc. Wipe with a soft microfiber cloth until dry.

Notes

IMPORTANT: Please be aware that vinegar has the potential to etch marble. That said, we have marble windowsills, and I’ve not experienced any issues. I just make sure to thoroughly wipe them dry after cleaning the windows.

Did you make this project?

Leave a comment below and share a photo on Instagram. Tag it @unsophisticook and hashtag it #unsophisticook!

homemade disinfectant spray for preventing cold & flu

Homemade Disinfectant Spray/h3>
If you like this homemade glass cleaner recipe, I think you’ll also adore this homemade disinfectant spray! Just 3 ingredients will help keep those to keep those nasty viruses at bay.

Is your microwave getting a little gross, too? Or maybe your garbage disposal? Try these other fabulous homemade cleaning products:

VINEVIDA

Thursday 3rd of August 2023

Kudos to you, Tara, for sharing such a practical and eco-friendly solution. I'm recommending your article to all my friends and family.

Emily Hill

Wednesday 17th of October 2018

I've never made homemade glass cleaner but I think I need to give it a try!

Meagen Brosius

Wednesday 17th of October 2018

I LOVE this recipe. The smell of store bought glass cleaner gives me a headache! I love my essential oils so finding great recipes like this to put them to use in my house is always a major plus! Doesn't hurt that I have a goofy dog that licks our sliding glass back door. I'm always happy to find ways for him to not encounter so many chemicals as well!

Tara Kuczykowski

Wednesday 17th of October 2018

LOL, my Weimaraner does that, too. Crazy pups! Luckily this also does a fantastic job at removing dog slobber and snot... :D

Jessica

Wednesday 17th of October 2018

This is so great! Thanks so much for the tips!

Aimee Shugarman

Wednesday 17th of October 2018

So easy to make, who knew? Works great too!!

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