No Streak Homemade Glass Cleaner without Vinegar
What’s the first thing I do when Spring cleaning? Clean the windows! Usually cleaning mirrors and windows is such a chore because of the annoying streaks left behind from glass cleaner. That’s why I have to share with you this Windex substitute I made! It’s an amazing no streak homemade glass cleaner without vinegar.
How to Clean Glass Without Windex
That’s right. I said it. A DIY glass cleaner that doesn’t use vinegar – so no vinegar smell. It’s a miracle!
I haven’t used traditional glass cleaners in what feels like forever. First of all, I think the shocking colors of some glass cleaners are reason enough to worry about the chemicals in them.
Second, the smell of normal glass cleaners tends to make me sick and feel bad, anyway, because of a chemical sensitivity to the artificial fragrances.
So I had been trying to clean windows without Windex for years. Without good results.
Which meant that I just avoided cleaning windows. Pretty easy answer, huh?
Except when you actually DO need to clean windows because of all of the dirt and grime that build up with normal life.
I’ve used spray bottles of vinegar on windows as my primary method of cleaning windows. And I’ve never been very happy with the result. Even when I use newspaper to wipe the windows.
I have been VERY happy with the E-Cloth Glass and Polishing Cloth (I first found out how well it worked on my car windows) but I know that many of you would rather DIY a glass cleaner for a few cents rather than buy a new cleaning tool.
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So that’s why I’m happy to share this no streak window cleaner without ammonia.
Plus, it’s totally customizable with your selection of essential oils.
Essential oils not only help to create natural aromatherapy in your home while cleaning, but they can boost cleaning power, too.
This DIY homemade glass cleaner uses orange essential oil since it is highly effective at cutting through grease. Lemon essential oil is believed to be great at killing germs and bacteria. Feel free to use whatever fragrances you enjoy to make your chores more enjoyable for you!
No Streak Homemade Glass Cleaner without Vinegar
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Hot water
- 1 cup Rubbing alcohol
- 4 tbsp. Cornstarch
- 40 drops Lemon essential oil
- 20 drops Orange essential oil
Supplies:
- 17 oz. Spray bottle
- Measuring cup with a spout for pouring
- Whisk
Instructions:
1. Pour water into measuring cup.
2. Add rubbing alcohol to the measuring cup.
3. Add cornstarch to the water and rubbing alcohol in the measuring cup. Using a whisk, mix the ingredients until they are combined well.
4. Add lemon essential oil and orange essential oil.
5. Stir the mixture again with a whisk.
6. Pour into a spray bottle.
NOTE: Always be sure to shake the bottle well before each use. Otherwise, the cornstarch can start thickening up and will clog your spray bottle nozzle. Shaking the window cleaner solution will distribute the cornstarch through the liquid and make for easier no streak cleaning.
ALSO NOTE: You must rub the glass cleaner spray until the liquid is completely gone. Leaving the liquid residue behind will allow a cornstarch film to remain on your windows.
The Secret to No Streak Windows
We have all heard about how vinegar won’t cause streaks when cleaning your windows.
I can tell you from personal experience that is a lie.
We have heard that newspaper will prevent streaking on your windows, too.
Again, I have found that is not true, either. (At least not today’s modern newspapers.)
The weird answer to cleaning glass without streaks is to use cornstarch.
Yep, the same ingredient that you use in cooking. And costs just pennies per use.
Why?
Cornstarch disrupts the way that water behaves on a window. Windows aren’t entirely flat and smooth, even though they appear that way. When you spray any cleaner on a window, small droplets will accumulate in those tiny pits all throughout the glass.
When you spray cleaner on the window and then try to wipe away, the water in the glass cleaner bonds with the water hiding in the pits of the glass (it’s actually a hydrogen-bonding issue, to get all scientific and technical). And that causes streaking.
Cornstarch stops that bonding. Which means that the water won’t stick to the other water droplets hidden in the glass.
And you get streak-free windows.
Just a note do not be using this on a wooden cabinet with glass , the alcohol will ruin the wood finish .
Thank you for the tip!
While I love finding new recipes for cleaning, I do use vinegar mixed with water and essential oils. I have never had streaks on mirrors or windows.
We live in the mountains and our window exteriors are 30 feet or more above the ground.
we paid $300 last year to have our windows done inside and out! I asked the man what his secret ingredient was in his cleaner…. He told me he uses water, few drops Dawn and a good splash of RAIN-X. – for car windshields. but that JET DRY for dishwashers should work as well
I wonder how many people who use vinegar to clean their glass and get streaks are using apple cider vinegar, smoke in their home, or have lots of candles/air fresheners in use. I have none of those and use straight up distilled vinegar on all my windows & mirrors with a cheap & simple microfiber towel. No streaks. Ever.
1- apple cider vinegar leaves streaks, especially the unfiltered kind
2- any time you’ve got lots of smoke or other particles in the air, they get on glass surfaces and then usually pushed around when cleaning is attempted. Unless you have something that will cut it.
3- do NOT use fabric softener on your cleaning towels … it coats them with stuff that gets smeared around on your glass when you attempt to clean with it.
This is really great info. I started using arrowroot powder in my homemade window cleaning solution and it works a treat. I love the suggestion of using the essential oils in the mixture, I bet it gives the cleaner a nice lift. Really appreciate the time you put into providing us all with this easy solution, thanks again for the great information!
Thanks so much, Melissa!
The spray bottle worked at first and then clogged. Also when staying left white drops every where. I ended pourin in pan and sponging on and then wiped off. Sometimes I had to do a second coat with windex
Hi Ann, Did you shake the bottle well before using? Spray bottles with small nozzles might clog up if the baking soda is not completely dissolved in the solution.
Have you used this recipe on mirrors or do you have a suggestion for tweaking it to clean mirrors without streaks? I just can’t handle the lingering vinegar smell anymore so this is great! Thx 🙂
Hi Heather! This is a great spray, but I still use an E-Cloth Window Cleaning Cloth on my windows all the time. I got one of these years ago, and still think it’s the absolute best way to clean windows and mirrors! And it only takes water! This is the link (an affiliate link, so I might make commission) https://amzn.to/2NmJ9om but honestly we’ve bought so many of these for our own house because they’re so easy to use and work so great!
I use hot water and dish soap with a squeegee on my windows and vinager on my dhower doors with a mr clean white eraser and squeegee. The key to using vinegar is it has to be rinsed to be streak free. I love this cleaner because it sounds like it’s going to smell heavenly BUT essential oils are expensive, I’m wondering if I make a smaller batch and use fewer drops if it might be more cost effective- I just don’t think I can justify the cost if I put in 40 drops. I’m going to give it a go. Fingers crossed!
BrandiLynn, your cleaning regimen sounds great already! Yes, essential oils can be expensive. But they also last a long time. I’d suggest mixing everything together but the essential oils. Then add just a few drops if you’d like. If you don’t like the results, add more essential oils. But at least you’ll know if you like the results without spending the money on the oils first. Good luck!
Oh I’m going to have to try this. I’ve always gone the vinegar route, so this would be fun to try.
I’ve used vinegar for years and never was happy with the results. Always had to wash the windows twice. Who knew that I was doing it wrong with just straight vinegar?!?
Would this work well without the essential oils? My wife is also chemically sensitive, but many essential oils bother her as well.
Ron, I totally understand. I can’t stand some natural smells, either, and still get sick. Yes, this would work without essential oils. The orange oil gives a little extra oomph for cutting through grease, but if you’re doing daily cleaning and nothing too crazy, you might not even miss it. The lemon essential oil has some potential anti-germ effects, but honestly the alcohol will take care of those nasty germs, too. So, yes, I totally understand.