I wanted to find an easy, non-toxic homemade glass cleaner that would work just as well as the commercial version. And, be so inexpensive that you’d be crazy to go pay $5.50 for it (that’s what a bottle of Windex® was going for at the store).
What’s In Easy, Homemade Glass Cleaner?
Homemade glass cleaner recipes generally start with vinegar and water, and then add alcohol and/or cornstarch. I know, cornstarch? But, having tried recipes of vinegar/water, vinegar/water/alcohol, and vinegar/water/alcohol/cornstarch, the last concoction is the clear winner – and it really works – you won’t miss the commercial glass cleaner.
So, how does it stack up on cost? Well, I figure about $0.20 for the vinegar, $0.25 for the rubbing alcohol, $0.05 for the cornstarch, and our water is from a well (essentially free) – so a grand total of $0.045 for a bottle of glass cleaner – versus $5.50. Now I’m wondering what on earth they’re putting in the commercial stuff to make it cost so much?
Well, the bottle doesn’t identify what’s in it, but the Windex® website says it’s made of water, carriers (isopropyl alcohol, ethylene glycol), cleaning agents (2-Hexoxyethanol, ammonium hydroxide, Mirapol Surf S-210, Videt EGM), wetting agent (sodium C14-17 Sec-Alkyl Sulfonate), and dye (Liquitint® Sky Blue Dye). It also says to keep out of reach of children and pets. You can find out more information on it here.
Probably a lot of the costs are packaging and transportation, but at a savings of $5.00 for the non-toxic home version, we’re going to try the easy homemade glass cleaner! When using it, I do find that you need to shake the spray bottle occasionally to keep the corn starch mixed into the solution.
For another easy, homemade (vinegar-based) solution to a common problem – weeds, try Weed-Be-Gone – A Safe & Easy Homemade Weed Killer.
Best Homemade Glass Cleaner
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 cups warm water
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well.
- Also shake well before using to keep cornstarch mixed and prevent it from clogging the spray mechanism.
Mary G says
What are the proportions of the ingredients? Why not give the recipe?
Lesa says
Hi Mary,
I do give the recipe at the bottom of the post. Are you not able to see it?
jan harrison says
Why the cornstarch in the window cleaning solution?
Lesa says
Hi Jan, I have no idea why the cornstarch makes it work better, but I tried all the different variations and the cornstarch clearly made it work better.
Carol says
don’t you mean CLEARLY made it work better?
Lesa says
🙂
Mary Beth Young says
Life is good!!! After 50+ years of washing windows and ALWAYS having them end up with streaks, this homemade recipe for window washing solution has done the trick. It is so simple, so inexpensive, so perfect and effective on windows. I am doing a happy dance right now!