Did you know that you can clean your windows with pantry items and get them looking spick and span in no time? This simple, effective, safe homemade window cleaner with vinegar is easy to throw together in less than 2 minutes and works wonders on tough dirt and grime.
Are you tired of using chemical-laden window cleaners that leave your home smelling unpleasant and your throat sore? It’s time to embrace a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative!
I love making things if you didn’t already pick up on this. Natural homemade cleaning and beauty products are no exception! You can find some of my favourite recipes here, like my coffee sugar scrub, natural shampoo, all-purpose cleaning spray, shower scrub, and gentle Castile hand soap.
In this blog post, I share my easy DIY recipe for homemade window cleaner with vinegar. This natural cleaner will be gentle on your health, save money, and help you maintain a sparkling and streak-free view through your windows.
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Why You’ll Love This Homemade Window Cleaner
- No nasty toxic chemicals – Commercial window cleaners often contain harmful chemicals that can lead to respiratory issues, skin irritation, and immune system damage. By making your own natural window cleaner, you eliminate these health risks and create a safe environment for your family.
- Quick and simple – This DIY window cleaner takes less than 2 minutes to make. With just three simple ingredients, you can have an effective cleaning solution ready to use in no time.
- Super affordable ingredients – The ingredients needed for this homemade window cleaner are cost-effective and readily available, saving you money compared to store-bought alternatives.
- Powerful cleaning – The combination of white distilled vinegar and castile soap makes for a potent cleaning solution that cuts through grease and grime, leaving your windows spotless and shiny.
You can learn everything about natural cleaning in my natural cleaning 101 guide. It’s filled with many helpful tips I have been learning on my journey so you can get started easily.
What is the Best Homemade Solution for Washing Windows?
To make your own natural and effective window cleaner, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 250ml Warm Water
- 250ml White Distilled Vinegar
- 1/2 tsp Castile Soap (or natural dishwashing liquid)
Vinegar is an amazing product that can be used for many things, from cleaning to cooking. Discover 29 uses for distilled white vinegar.
What is Cleaning Vinegar?
Do you know that cleaning vinegar is different from regular vinegar? They both come from ethanol fermentation, but their acidity levels are not the same, making them useful for different things.
Regular vinegar, like white or apple cider vinegar, has a 5% acidity level and is used for cooking, preserving food, and even as a condiment. It’s also used for some cleaning tasks around the house, but it may not be enough for heavy-duty cleaning.
Cleaning vinegar, also known as distilled or industrial vinegar, has a higher acidity level, usually ranging from 6% to 10%. This higher acidity level makes it an excellent cleaning agent that can dissolve tough stains, mineral deposits, and soap scum. That’s why it’s a popular choice for cleaning tasks that require a more robust solution.
Use what works best for you!
Optional Additions for Enhanced Cleaning Power:
Add 2-3 drops of your chosen essential oil into the mixture.
- Rosemary Essential Oil – Known for its antibacterial properties, rosemary essential oil can boost the cleaning power of your window cleaner and leave a pleasant, refreshing scent.
- Lemon Essential Oil – Add a few drops of lemon essential oil for a clean and fresh scent. Lemon oil is antiseptic, antiviral, and anti-infective, making it perfect for cleaning solutions.
- Peppermint Essential Oil – For a minty and invigorating aroma, try adding peppermint essential oil. It’s antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiseptic, making it an excellent choice for cleaning.
- Tea Tree Essential Oil – Do you have mould growing? Add 10 drops of tea tree oil to the mix to help kill mould spores. Tea trees’ anti-fungal properties will help clean mould and mildew.
Helpful Window Cleaning Tools:
To make this task as easy as possible, you can use a spray bottle or bucket for the cleaning solution. It depends on how large your windows are and how many you plan to clean.
- Spray bottle or Bucket (for larger projects)
- Window Squeegee
- Water hose with spray extension (optional)
How to Make Homemade Window Cleaner
Step 1. Combine 250ml of warm water and 250ml of white distilled vinegar in a spray bottle. I suggest using a bucket and tripling the solution recipe if working on a larger area.
Step 2. Add 1/2 tsp of castile soap to the mixture. You can also include a few drops of your favourite essential oil for additional benefits.
Step 3. Secure the spray bottle’s cap and shake the mixture thoroughly to blend all the ingredients or mix them together in the bucket.
How to Use Homemade Window Cleaner
Step 4. Spray the homemade window cleaner directly onto the glass. If you’re using the bucket, dunk in the squeegee. Then scrub the glass clean.
Allow the solution to sit for about 30 seconds to break down dirt and grime effectively.
Step 5. Spray down the window with the hose. A spray attachment can be handy here!
Important Tips and FAQs
- Use Glass Bottles – Essential oils can damage plastic and cause it to leach harmful chemicals. Therefore, using amber or clear glass spray bottles for storing your homemade window cleaner is best.
- Avoid Vinegar on Certain Surfaces – While vinegar is an excellent cleaning agent, it can damage natural stone surfaces like marble and granite. Avoid using window cleaners on these surfaces to prevent potential harm.
- Experiment with Essential Oils – Feel free to experiment with different essential oil blends to find the scent that suits you best and provides additional cleaning benefits.
Conclusion
By creating your own homemade window cleaner with vinegar, you’re embracing a healthier and eco-friendly lifestyle and saving money on cleaning supplies. This simple DIY recipe offers powerful cleaning capabilities without harmful chemicals. So, say goodbye to toxic fumes and hello to sparkling clean windows with our natural and effective homemade window cleaner. Try it out today, and you’ll wonder why you didn’t switch sooner!
Homemade Window Cleaner with Vinegar
Did you know that you can clean your windows with pantry items and get them looking spick and span in no time? This simple, effective, safe homemade window cleaner with vinegar is easy to throw together in less than 2 minutes and works wonders on tough dirt and grime.
Materials
- 250ml Warm Water
- 250ml White Distilled Vinegar
- 1/2 tsp Castile Soap(or natural dishwashing liquid)
Tools
- Spray bottle or Bucket (for larger projects)
- Window Squeegee
- Water hose with spray extension (optional)
Instructions
- Combine 250ml of warm water and 250ml of white distilled vinegar in a spray bottle. I suggest using a bucket and tripling the solution recipe if working on a larger area.
- Add 1/2 tsp of castile soap to the mixture. You can also include a few drops of your favourite essential oil for additional benefits.
- Secure the spray bottle's cap and shake the mixture thoroughly to blend all the ingredients or mix them together in the bucket.
- Spray the homemade window cleaner directly onto the glass. If you're using the bucket, dunk in the squeegee. Then scrub the glass clean.
- Allow the solution to sit for about 30 seconds to break down dirt and grime effectively.
- Spray down the window with the hose. A spray attachment can be handy here.
Notes
Add 2-3 drops of your chosen essential oil into the mixture for extra cleaning power:
- Rosemary Essential Oil - Known for its antibacterial properties, rosemary essential oil can boost the cleaning power of your window cleaner and leave a pleasant, refreshing scent.
- Lemon Essential Oil - Add a few drops of lemon essential oil for a clean and fresh scent. Lemon oil is antiseptic, antiviral, and anti-infective, making it perfect for cleaning solutions.
- Peppermint Essential Oil - For a minty and invigorating aroma, try adding peppermint essential oil. It's antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiseptic, making it an excellent choice for cleaning.
- Tea Tree Essential Oil – Do you have mould growing? Add 10 drops of tea tree oil to the mix to help kill mould spores. Tea trees’ anti-fungal properties will help clean mould and mildew.