--- title: "How to Make Homemade Window Cleaner" description: "It's cheap and easy to make homemade window cleaner. Mix these three ingredients in a spray bottle, and you're good to go!" date: "2021-02-28" modified: "2026-06-17" authors: - name: "Donna Boyle Schwartz" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/donna-boyle-schwartz/" - name: "Deirdre Mundorf" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/deirdre-mundorf/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/articles/homemade-window-cleaner/" categories: - "Cleaning" - "Cleaning & Organizing" - "DIY" - "Exterior" - "Interior" - "Windows" tags: - "How To" - "News" --- # How to Make Homemade Window Cleaner ![A person cleaning house windows from outside using a homemade window cleaner recipe.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* Dirty windows or a streaky glass door are easy to notice and are easy to clean. Yet, [cleaning windows]() and doors always seems like a chore we put off—even though it requires minimal work. No more excuses! You don’t need any fancy cleaners or tools when you can make this DIY glass cleaner recipe for free from supplies in your house. Save some dollars and keep things simple by mixing up your own DIY window cleaner with nothing more than a few pantry staples you likely have on hand. The following homemade window cleaner is a solution of ingredients that you can actually pronounce, like vinegar and water, and can whip up quickly and leave under your sink for the next time it’s needed. Here’s the recipe for success: ### Tools & Materials Bobvila.com may earn a commission from purchases made through these links. - [Essential oil (optional)]() - [Spray bottle]() - [White vinegar or lemon juice]() - [Dish soap]() ## Make Your Own DIY Window Cleaning Solution ### Step 1: Gather the ingredients. ![A group of ingredients used to make homemade window cleaner.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* Before learning how to clean windows with vinegar, you’ll first want to gather the materials for this DIY glass cleaner. You'll need distilled white vinegar (or lemon juice) and dish soap—a fragrant essential oil is nice to add, but not necessary. In this recipe, as with so many other nontoxic homemade cleaners, white [vinegar]() plays a key role. Its acidity cuts through dirt and grease, an attribute that well equips the window cleaner to remove stuck-on debris and streaks. If you’ve washed your windows for years with a commercial cleaner such as [Formula 409]() or even [Windex](), it’s likely that the glass sports a subtle, waxy film. That residue comes off easily with ordinary dish detergent, another ingredient contributing to the efficacy of homemade window cleaner. ### Step 2: Combine the homemade glass cleaner ingredients and dilute them with warm water. ![A person pouring water into a spray bottle to make homemade window cleaner for the house.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* In a spray bottle, combine ¼ cup of white vinegar with ½ teaspoon of liquid dish soap. Dilute the solution with 2 cups of water, then shake the bottle vigorously to mix the components. If you don't have white vinegar on hand, you can substitute lemon juice. Like distilled white vinegar, lemon juice has a mild acidity that cuts through grease and grime with equal panache. ### Step 3: Add essential oil for fragrance (optional). ![A person adding essential oil drops to a spray bottle to make homemade window cleaner for the house.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* As a cleaning agent, there’s much to love about vinegar, but the strong odor isn’t everyone’s favorite thing. Fortunately, you can go a long way toward camouflaging the scent of your homemade glass cleaner by adding essential oil to the mixture in the spray bottle. Pick your favorite oil and add 10 to 15 drops. With your homemade window cleaner now ready, spray the window glass with it. Then, using a lint-free cloth such as a [microfiber cloth]() or chamois, wipe the cleaner across the entire surface you’re cleaning. The cleaner will dry fairly quickly, leaving behind a streak-free shine. For best results, follow up with a window squeegee, like the highly rated [Mr. Siga window cleaning squeegee and scrubber](). ## What do the ingredients do? This window-cleaning recipe works like a dream, but what do the individual components contribute to the mix? We'll break it down for you. ### Vinegar The main reason distilled white vinegar makes such a good glass cleaner is because it contains acetic acid. The colorless organic compound gives white vinegar its pungent flavor and odor, and kills some bacteria. When you wash windows with vinegar, not only will you be able to break down and remove dirt, grease, and mineral deposits, you’ll also be able to kill germs on hard surfaces around the home. It is important to note, however, that vinegar-based cleaning solutions should not replace true sanitizing cleaners that remove 99.9 percent of disease-causing bacteria and viruses, the [EPA standard for products labeled as sanitizers](). ### Lemon Juice ![homemade window cleaner]() *Photo: iStock* Like white vinegar, the acid in lemon juice can effectively break down grime on windows and other glass surfaces. Citric acid in lemon juice is technically a bit stronger than vinegar’s acetic acid, though both are about equally effective when it comes to cleaning around the house. ### Dish Soap Several ingredients make up most liquid dish soaps on the market, but one ingredient in particular, sodium lauryl sulfate, gives dish soaps their impressive grease-busting abilities. The component bonds with oily particles and lifts them off of surfaces, which allows for easy removal when used with water. ### Essential Oils ![Bottle of essential oil with dropper lifted out of it.]() *Photo: iStock istockphoto.com* The best homemade window cleaner leaves behind an appealing scent. Many essential oils contain natural chemical components that are both cleansing and pleasantly scented. Tea tree essential oil, for example, doesn't just smell great—it has antibacterial, antiseptic, and antifungal properties. Mixing it into your homemade window cleaner can help prevent mold and mildew growth, too. ### Warm Water As is the case when cleaning other parts of the home, water temperature makes a difference. Hot water has more kinetic energy than cold water, so it more easily agitates and lifts dirt particles off surfaces. While this may help with cleaning dishes and laundry to some extent, warm water isn’t essential for cleaning windows. Cold or tepid water will work, too. ## Tips for Cleaning Windows A thorough window cleaning should be at the top of every homeowner’s seasonal cleaning to-do list. The start of spring when the weather warms is an opportune time to tackle this task both inside and outside your home. Before you start spritzing the glass, consider these [useful window-cleaning tips](): - **Buff away dust.** If the windows are dusty but not streaky, you can clean them without bringing a cleaning solution, homemade or otherwise, into the equation. Simply use a lint-free cloth to pick up and clear away the dust. Then, once finished, complete the job by polishing the glass to a streak-free shine with a different, clean cloth. - **Wait for the right weather.** If possible, clean your windows on a cloudy day. When sun is shining directly on the window, the cleaning solution dries faster, which can leave behind streaks and water marks. - **Start with the tracks and frame.** The tracks and frame of a window can get even dirtier than the glass. Cleaning these areas before cleaning the window panes will help prevent the grime from smearing over the glass as you clean it. - **Clean interior and exterior windows twice a year.** Making it a habit to clean the inside and outside of each window twice a year can help prevent dust, dirt, and mineral deposits from building up. ### EXPERT TIP "Don’t forget to inspect your window hardware. If your finishes have dulled, you can apply a coat of beeswax to preserve and restore them. Also, it’s never a bad idea to take the time to put dry lubricant on the gears of your windows to keep all components functioning smoothly for seasons to come." —Michael Wandschneider, director of product management for [Marvin]() ## The Best Tools for Streak-Free Windows ![Woman wearing green shirt uses microfiber towel to wipe her window.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* While you could use paper towels, a soft microfiber cloth works best for first removing dust and loose debris from windows. Use a separate clean microfiber cloth to work the homemade window cleaner along the glass surface and remove stubborn dirt and residue. [Coffee filters]() are also handy for cleaning windows, as are [squeegees](). The latter are especially useful for deep-cleaning the outside of your windows, which you can DIY rather than [paying for professional window cleaning](). ## Safety Precautions Using natural ingredients is eco-friendly and safer for your skin and lungs compared to the chemicals found in many commercial cleaners, but there are still a few safety considerations to be aware of when making your own window cleaner. Natural ingredients such as white vinegar, lemon juice, and essential oils are effective in homemade glass cleaners, but they do not replace true sanitizers that are proven to kill 99.9 percent of disease-causing pathogens. The most important thing to remember when making window cleaner (or any other homemade cleaning solutions) is [never to mix vinegar with chlorine bleach](). When sodium hypochlorite, the basic chemical compound in bleach, mixes with the acetic acid found in vinegar, it gives off toxic chlorine gas. Chlorine gas can burn skin, cause shortness of breath, and can even be fatal with long-term exposure. ## Glass Cleaner vs. Window Cleaner Formulas for specialized [commercial glass cleaners]() are often ammonia-based, and can leave streaks or foggy spots on some types glass. [Car windows](), for example, should not be cleaned with ammonia-based window cleaners because the residue poses a risk of obstructing the driver’s view. Natural glass cleaners that do not contain ammonia, such as the homemade window cleaner recipe above, don’t leave behind residue or streaks when wiped away using a clean microfiber cloth. ## Final Thoughts The best window cleaning solution is safe, natural, and effective. Following this recipe for a natural window cleaner can help you achieve all of these goals and leave you with clear, clean, and streak-free windows. Mixing in a few drops of essential oil adds a pleasant scent to the vinegar-based cleaner. Cleaning the windows in your home doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. Consider focusing on one level or room at a time to keep the workload manageable. Remember, you should also clean the exterior windows and screens a few times a year. ## FAQ ## More Recipes for Homemade Cleaners ### For the Kitchen • [Homemade Degreaser]() • [Homemade Granite Cleaner]() • [Homemade Oven Cleaner]() • [Homemade Stainless Steel Cleaner]() • [Homemade Silver Polish]() • [How To Clean A Glass Cooktop]() ### For the Floor • [Homemade Floor Cleaner]() • [Homemade Carpet Cleaner]() • [Homemade Wood Floor Cleaner]() • [10 Homemade Carpet Cleaning Remedies]() ### For the Bathroom • [Homemade Shower Cleaner]() • [Homemade Toilet Bowl Cleaner]() • [Homemade Grout Cleaner]() • [Homemade Drain Cleaner]() ### For Outside • [Homemade Deck Cleaner]() ## Author Donna Boyle Schwartz is an avid writer with years of experience covering the home and garden beat in addition to out-of-home topics such as sports and local events. These days, she researches and writes editorial and advertising features on a vast range of home-related topics, including housewares, furniture, home fashions, flooring, remodeling, construction, antiques, art, garden, collectibles, and color/design trends.