It’s no fun looking out at your beautiful garden when you can’t see past the dust, smudges, and hard water stains on your window panes.
Count on grimy windows to spoil the view and block sunlight from streaming into your home!
The bright side is that you can make an effective window cleaner using a simple ingredient: vinegar! This miracle worker can cut through the toughest grime and grease at a fraction of the cost of commercial glass cleaners.
Today, we’ll teach you how to clean windows with vinegar!
Cleaning Windows With Vinegar: Step-by-Step Guide
Forget about those fancy window cleaners—here’s how to make your windows spotless with vinegar:
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Let’s start by making sure you have everything you need:
- Distilled white vinegar
- Distilled water
- Washing up liquid
- Microfibre towels
- A spray bottle
- A squeegee (optional)
Now, a few points before we proceed. First, why distilled and not just any ordinary white vinegar?
Simple—its higher acetic acid, at 5%, cleans better than your basic white vinegar, which only has 4%. For even more cleaning power, cleaning vinegar, which contains 6% acetic acid, is strictly for household duties.
Although the difference in acidity might not seem huge, cleaning vinegar is too strong to use for cooking. But don’t worry if you don’t have either on hand; regular white vinegar will work just as fine.
Stick with distilled water for the water. It helps prevent those annoying mineral streaks from ruining your perfectly polished windows.
Also, we’re big fans of microfibre cloths. They’re washable and reusable and won’t leave any pesky lint behind. Many people swear by using newspapers, but who has those lying around these days? Honestly, using any type of paper feels wasteful and a huge hassle.
Step 2: Mix Your Cleaning Solution
Grab a clean spray bottle and pour in equal parts of white vinegar and warm water. Some users tone down with the vinegar, but we’ve found that this ratio can give your mixture more grease-cutting action.
Next, add a few drops of your favourite washing-up liquid. Shake to mix, and you’ve got a homemade window-cleaning solution!
Step 3: Prep Your Window
Before you get anything wet, let’s prep those windows first! No one wants to clean windows only to have dust rain on them later.
Lay a dry towel across the window sill to catch drips and protect your wood. If you have blinds, close them and dust them off before pulling them up.
Do you have fabric curtains or drapes? Take them down so they don’t get caught in the splash zone. Bring them outside and shake off the dust. A quick air-dry tumble in the dryer can freshen them up if they’re machine-safe.
If you have window screens, remove them and remember which windows they belong to. Wash them with soapy water, then rinse and dry thoroughly before putting them back.
Remove cobwebs and vacuum dirt from the window tracks using a narrow attachment. Alternatively, you can make your DIY nozzle using a flattened toilet paper tube. Finish by wiping away any remaining dust with a damp cloth.
Step 4: Spray and Wipe
Time to get cleaning! Spray your vinegar and soap solution as you go, one window at a time. Then, use a microfibre cloth to spread the solution and wipe the window in a circular motion.
Once you’ve removed all the dirt, grab a dry microfibre towel and buff your windows to a squeaky clean finish.
If using a squeegee, start at the top and move it across the glass like you’re writing a big letter S. This way, you’ll cover more ground in less time, and there’s less chance of the glass drying on its own and leaving streaks.
Keep the blade in constant contact with the glass. Only lift it to wipe off excess water with a dry towel between swipes.
But how do you tackle tough hard water stains?
Dip your microfibre cloth into your vinegar mixture and wring it out so it’s damp but not soaking wet. Then, rub it over those stubborn spots. The vinegar will help break down the mineral deposits and make them easier to remove.
How Often Should You Clean Your Windows?
Washing your windows at least twice a year is a good start. But if you want to stay on top of things, you could bump that up to once every season. This is especially important if you live somewhere with many trees or moisture in the air.
Pollen, dust, and grime can build up over time, making your windows look dull and dingy.
We know it’s not the most exciting task, but dirty windows are a magnet for allergens and toxic pollutants.
The more often you can clean your windows, the better it is for your health and views!
When Is the Best Time to Clean Windows?
Ideally, you want to wait for an overcast day. The diffused sunlight will give you a nice, even light to work with, and the cooler temperature will keep your cleaning solution from drying out too fast.
Avoid scrubbing in direct sunlight. The intense heat will make your vinegar mixture evaporate too quickly, leaving behind streaks and smudges. There is nothing more frustrating than putting in all that work only to end up with less-than-stellar results!
Clean your windows early morning or late afternoon if you can’t wait for a cloudy day.
Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Windows
Don’t make these mistakes if you want your windows to be the clearest and cleanest on the block:
- Using Too Much Vinegar Solution: All that extra liquid will collect at the bottom and drip, which will only mean more work for you. Start with a few spritzes of the solution, wipe it well, and add more as needed.
- Using Non-Microfibre Cloths: Avoid cotton or linen cloths, which leave lint trails behind. Paper towels are no different; they deposit fuzzy bits all over your glass.
Wrapping Up
That’s how to clean windows with vinegar in a few simple steps!
You’ll be amazed how easily this household product can create glass windows with 4K views. You may never go back to store-bought cleaners again!
