One of the things I spend the most money on at the store outside of food and diapers is cleaning products, like glass cleaner. So I am looking for ways to save money on them and let's face it, how many have you bought that you just don't like? Well, that's one of a few reasons I started looking for a DIY glass cleaner recipe and now I'm sharing the one I love with you.
Raise your hand if you have a cabinet under your sink, a shelf in your pantry, a closet, or even a spot in the garage that is full of cleaning products.
*Raises Hand*
Now think about how many of the products are just sitting there because you bought them, tried them out and they didn't work or you didn't like them for one reason or another? At least half I'm guessing?
This problem is a big part of why I started to look into making my own. I started with my DIY Laundry Soap and now I'm tackling window cleaner because let's face it with 4 kids no window or mirror stays clean for long!
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So as you can see this window cleaner can be made for pennies! I get my dawn dish soap on sale for 49¢ a bottle and the vinegar I can pick up 32 oz for under $1 so the money saved with this homemade window cleaner is HUGE!
It works great in windows and mirrors and I have had a few people say they will add in some essential oil just a drop for scent. I haven't done it because, well if it ain't broke don't fix it right?
Over at Confessions of an Overworked Mom, she's got this great Vinegar DIY Citrus Spray that may be of interest to you too.
Related: DIY Homemade Febreze
What is in Windex glass cleaner?
According to SC Johnson's 2009 formula the ingredients are water, 2-hexoxyethanol, isopropanolamine, sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, lauramine oxide, ammonium hydroxide, fragrance, and Liquitint sky blue dye.
I think my eyes went cross-eyed…what is that stuff and why do I need sky blue dye to clean my windows??
Hint. I don't and neither do you.
How to clean your windows without spending a ton
As any homeowner knows, keeping your windows clean can be a real chore. Not only are they susceptible to fingerprints and smudges, but they can also collect a fair amount of dust and dirt. However, you don't need to break the bank to get your windows looking sparkling clean. I have laid out frugal ways to clean your windows which cover a few simple tricks that can help you get the job done without spending a lot of money.
Related: 21 Effective Uses for Windex
Glass cleaner vs window cleaner
Marketing companies want you to think there is a difference between a glass cleaner and a window cleaner.
Guess what? There is no difference!
Marketing companies want you to think that you need a special window cleaner for your windows and another for glass indoors like mirrors.
When really they are selling you the same product with a different label.
Related: Homemade Foaming Soap Trick That Saves You Money!
So here goes this takes less than a minute to mix and you are off cleaning again!
Best ways to wash windows inside
I love these tools to wash my windows inside and out actually. They get the job done and it's efficient so I can move on to other tasks.
Micro Fiber towels – Made of extremely thin fibers that are effective at soaking up water and they're super soft. Plus, they're quick-drying, so you don't have to wait long for them to be ready to use again.
Window Groove Cleaning Tool – Need help cleaning those hard-to-reach window grooves? No problem! This handy tool will make the job a breeze.
Groove Cleaning Brush -This handy little gadget makes it easy to reach those pesky hard-to-reach spots, so you can keep your windows clean and sparkling all year round.
Related: DIY Room Spray
What You Need to Make Homemade Glass Cleaner
1 cup Water
1/4 cup White Vinegar
2 to 3 drops Dawn Dish Soap

What You Need To Do:
Just combine the water, white vinegar, and dawn dish soap in an empty spray bottle. Shake a LITTLE bit and you are DONE!

Spray and clean!

Make sure to label your spray bottle. I LOVE these Chalkboard Labels they make labeling everything easy!

Better than Windex Glass Cleaner

You will love this better than Windex DIY Glass Cleaner Recipe. Mere minutes to mix and with items already in your home. 2 Simple steps.
Materials
- 1 cup Water
- 1/4 cup White Vinegar
- Dawn Dish Soap, 2-3 drops
Tools
- Empty Spray Bottle
Instructions
- Combine the water, white vinegar, and dawn dish soap in an empty spray bottle.
- Shake a little bit to mix.
- Spray and clean!
Recommended Products
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Do you have a homemade DIY glass cleaner recipe you love? Tell me about it in the comments below.
Do you have to use dawn or can it be a store bought brand that is the same?
I have found Dawn works best, but you can use whichever brand you like 🙂
I was going to ask if you have to use dawn dish soap, but I was glad to see that Kathryn asked ☺
I’m wondering if it’s worked out for her using other kinds of dish soap.
I tried a cheap off brand one and it left streaks on the window so I’ve stuck to Dawn.
I use half/half vinegar and water and a squirt of dishwashing liquid, not Dawn, and some eucalyptus solution or you can use essential oils, and this works wonderfully for an all-purpose cleaner. It cleans everything from windows and mirrors to greasiest stovetops and backsplash.
Cathy’s recipe sounds similar to my all purpose cleaner that I have been using for a few years.
For my all purpose cleaner I use half and half of water and vinegar and add essential oil. Instead of dish soap, I use Dr. Bronner’s pure castile soap.
I have used it on the stovetop, countertops, tables, vanities and the sinks, and toilets. I hadn’t thought of trying it on mirrors or windows, but after reading what Cathy said; I will try. ☺
This is just wonderful! I add a couple drops of Jetdry, a few drops of lemon essential oil. I have even used this on dog urine and is fantastic!
I make this concoction too. It’s great and far much less expensive than the leading window product. No streaks!! Thanks for sharing great ideas!
Dawn and white vinegar are now my go to’s for cleaning. I tried your window cleaner recipe and it works like a charm: quick, easy and made my big bay window sparkle. These two ingredient are opening space under my sinks and lightening up my shopping costs – a lot!
Do you have to rinse after using?
We have the kids help clean, and I think it’s be easier for them if we kept the “blue” for glass. Has anyone tried food coloring or something else to slightly color the mixture?
I’d just put it in a blue spray bottle. Better than possibly staining things.
I’ve been using this for a while now and I really like it. I mixed it by the gallon today and added some essential oil. L
Ah thank you, I shall be using it on my windows in the next day or two. Cleaning the garage now whatever is dirty will get the same solution.why buy different products when this solution works. Thank you
JUST MADE THIS ITS AMAZING !!!!! NO STREAKS NO VINEGAR SMELL ALL WINDOWS AND MIRRORS GLEAMING. I DIDNT EVEN USE A MICROFIBRE CLOTH. FANTASTIC RECIPE. FOLLOWING YOUR IDEAS NOW. THANK YOU MORE MINEY SAVED NO NEW PLASTIC BOTTLES BOUGHT.
Do you know if the vinegar water dish wash liquid mix is safe to use on veridian window glass? This is a coated glass that is energy efficient.
Hi Charles,
Yes, you can use it, it is non-abrasive.
Thank you sooooo much. I had a window where the dirt and glacial silt was ground into the glass. I tried everything in my cupboard and no luck. With a little elbow grease, a non abrasive scrub, and your formula the window is amazingly clear.
In all honestly, you don’t need the dawn and you don’t need to dilute the vinegar. All you need to do is put white vinegar in a spray bottle and spray your glasses surfaces down well with the undiluted vinegar. (Do not use paper towels or any kind of cloth to wipe them down.) The trick to no steaks is actually using newspaper to wipe them down after you spray them with vinegar. It may sound a bit weird, but try it and you’ll see. My grandmom always had the cleanest windows, mirrors, glass surfaces and never had any streaks. This is the only way she ever cleaned glass surfaces and they always looked pristine. I swear by this myself. I save my newspapers in a basket and keep a spray bottle filled with white vinegar and I’m all set for any glass surfaces. I even do my car windows and mirrors this way too. It works wonders.
I have a great recipe for window cleaner and I also use it for bugs on the windshield of my car!!
1 cup non sudsing ammonia
1 bottle of rubbing alcohol
A squirt of dawn
The rest is water enough so you can fill a gallon container
The stuff works magic
This is a good recipe I have used it for the out sides of the windows. And sliding glass dorr.
I have used Dawn since we could it way long ago.. probably sense it came out.. 45-50 years a go or so.. I have been a fan ever since the Valdes. Oil tanker ran ashore and they cleaned up the wild life with Dawn…. I was sold, and have used nothing else since. We have been in 3 different states, 4 city’s. And in the country – twice and well water, and Dawn woks from West Texas, to Washington D.C. and also in North east Michigan near Lake Huron. It is dependable! That is awesome!