How To Make Your Own Window Cleaner
By villageanne
@villageanne (8553)
United States
February 8, 2007 2:04pm CST
I have always made my own window claaner. I just cannot see purchasing it when it is so cheap to make. I feel good making my own frugal cleaners. I feel like I am doing something for the enviroment and saving money.
I always clean my windows and mirrors with newspapers. There is something about the print mixing with the cleaner that keeps it from streking and is so clean.
In summmer, fall and Spring, I use vinegar in a spray bottle to clean my windows and mirrors but in winter the window freeze if I use this so I make a different recipe in winter.
Homemade Window Cleaner
1/2 cup ammonia
2 cups rubbing alcohol
water
1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid (any kind) I have also used shower gel in place of the dishwashing liquid. It adds a scent that just makes them smell nice and makes the room smell nice.
In a one gallon container, mix ammonia and rubbing alcohol. Then finish Filling the container almost up to the top with water. Add dishwashing liquid and mix well. Fishish filling up with water. Alcohol is the secret ingredient ingredient. It is what the commercial window washers use all the time.
Always remember to label your container with the ingredients and name of product.
4 people like this
18 responses
@shywolf (4514)
• United States
8 Feb 07
Wow, I really should be saving these ideas! I have problems with chemically enhanced cleaning products, anyway. They tend to make me feel ill, if I am around them. So not only would this type of an idea be frugal for me, (and boy, do I ever love being frugal, lol!) but it would also ensure that I am not around those commerical brands of cleaners, even the smell of which tends to make my throat feel icky if I am around them for long. Thanks!! ^_^
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
8 Feb 07
I don't care for the commercial cleansers either. My sinuses go bonkers.
@venicebloom (24)
• United States
9 Feb 07
I use some natural cleaners, that I buy online. They are really safe, no bad chemicals. The All Purpose Cleaner is great as it is very highly concentrated. It looks expensive until you figure out that you mix 1 - 2 tablespoons into a quart spray bottle. The bottle I bought has lasted over a year, and I use it for just about everything! You can order it here. They have lots of cleaners and other natural products too. www.moreinfo247.com/9419300/VCL
1 person likes this
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
22 Feb 07
I am just a county girl that has hadt to learn these homemade methods to survive. Thanks for the compliment though
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
8 Feb 07
I usually use vinegar all year round. It's really warm in my apartment, and so it doesn't freeze. In fact, I never realized it might.
I use ammonia for a lot of other cleaning, though. I will try your mixture out.
1 person likes this
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
9 Feb 07
Thanks so much, I do so prefer to make my own cleaners and this will be added to my arsenal. Labeling indeed is important. This will save us money over buying the commerical product. Feel better for knowing exactly what I am using too. Thanks again for sharing this recipe.
1 person likes this
@babystar1 (4233)
• United States
9 Feb 07
Thank you for the home made window cleaner,I'am going to go and mix up a bottle right now.I will do my inside windows only,its to cold out to do the outside ones.But as soon as it gets warmer out I will get busy with the outside ones. Thanks again.
1 person likes this
@colacadstink (15)
• United States
9 Feb 07
Wow that really works! Thanks! I was finally able to get my window back to the way it was when I bought it!
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
22 Feb 07
I am glad you were able to get your windown back to looking great again.
@kgwat70 (13387)
• United States
8 Feb 07
That is great that you make your own window cleaner as well as all other helpful and useful tips you have given me and everyone on here. I am definitely taking a note of this by printing the steps involved so I can have my own window cleaner and save money. Thank you so much again for more great creations. :-)
1 person likes this
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
22 Feb 07
That's great, and I appreciate you posting this.
Can I just use vinegar only?
@loujac3 (1188)
• United States
9 Feb 07
I used to use just vinegar and I still use it along with baking soda to clean my drains every month. I am going to use your recipe and start saving more money since I am working toward being debt free. I like anything that saves money. I will pass this one on to my daughters who are eco minded. Thank you!
1 person likes this
@rahuldmhatre (736)
• India
9 Feb 07
thats a good way to make a window cleaner, you can save money and the environment....but is it effective as the ones available in the market?...u havent mentioned that......
@samtaylorskykierajen (7977)
• Canada
9 Feb 07
I always just use vinegar to clean my windows with , like you I try to use a newspaper but I don't always have one around the house , but the newspaper helps it from streaking as much . A friend of mine told me about just plain vineagar and I was stunned at the good job it did on my windows and have never got anything else for them since .
@ThunderCrash (334)
• Germany
9 Feb 07
If I'll ever clean my windows I'll maybe try your trick XD thanks for sharing it with us.
1 person likes this
@nancygibson (3736)
• France
9 Feb 07
I do almost all my cleaning with vinegar, home made castile soap, baking powder and hot water. Sometimes I add lemon juice or some orange oil, but these basics do just about everything I could possibly want and they clean really well into the bargain.
@Lynn6789 (32)
• Canada
9 Feb 07
Hi Villageanne.... I used to clean my windows that way for years and till I discovered that using a single sided razor blade and plain old sunlight dish soap and a squggie does even a better job it that is even possiable!!! All you need to do is have a bucket of warm sunligh soapy water and a rag.... throughly wet the window..... using the sharp side of the razor blade scrape every square inch of the window and you will hear all of the dirt comming off.... then use the squggie and your windows sparkle!!!
