How to Clean Windows Without Chemicals

Co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH and Sophia Latorre

Last Updated: May 6, 2021

Commercial window sprays can be expensive and may be harmful to children, pets, and the environment. However, you can make the windows in your home crystal clear without toxic chemicals, unsightly streaks, or paper towel waste. Cleaning with steel wool (for very dirty windows) followed by white vinegar will allow you to have sparkling windows without harming yourself or the environment.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:
Getting the Grime Off with Steel Wool

1
Gather your materials. You will need fine steel wool (#0000), a soft-bristled brush (such as a paintbrush), a vacuum with a soft brush head, rubber gloves (optional), safety glasses (optional), and a fan (optional).
- You may wish to remove your contacts before getting started (or wear safety glasses), because all the steel dust may irritate or injure your eyes.
- You may wish to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands when using the steel wool. If not, be sure to wash your hands often as the grime will transfer to your hands and cause unsightly fingerprints on your clean windows.
2
Remove any decorations or stickers from your window. You want to begin with a clear, empty window. Don’t worry too much about getting off the adhesive residue from the stickers.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Do a pre-wash with soapy water on very grimy windows to try and clean it slightly before moving on.
Advertisement
3
Open the window and rub the bristle brush over the entire screen. This will knock the dust loose from the screen. You may want to position a fan so that it blows out of the window, otherwise the breeze from outside may blow all that dust and pollen back into your home.
4
Rub a piece of steel wool over the glass. Do this systematically: start with the outside of the top pane, then the inside of the top pane, then the outside of the bottom pane, and so on. Continue until the entire window is clean. Steel wool removes the grime without scratching the glass. It will take a bit of elbow grease to remove the grime, particularly on the outside of the window.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Have plenty of steel wool on hand, and take new pieces often. The steel wool tends to fall apart after a while, creating more dust while cleaning less effectively.
5
Vacuum each section. The steel wool will flake and cause a lot of dust. Keep a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush-head handy and vacuum each section, including the windowsills, right after you finish.

Advertisement

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:
Removing Grease and Oil with White Vinegar

1
Gather your materials. You will need white vinegar, water, an empty spray bottle, and newspaper. It’s also a good idea to ventilate the area so the smell of vinegar does not become overwhelming.
- Distilled water works best, as it contains the lowest amounts of contaminants and minerals.^{[3]
  X
  Research source}
- While steel wool removes dirt and grime from your windows, the vinegar removes grease and oils. Using both will leave you with sparkling, streak-free windows.
2
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water. Fill a spray bottle with this solution. Make sure the solution is mixed thoroughly.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- If you don’t like the smell of vinegar, you could add a few drops of essential oil to your solution to mask the smell.
- If you don’t have vinegar on hand, you can use lemon juice in its place. Don’t dilute it, just use straight lemon juice in place of the vinegar and follow the same steps.^{[5]
  X
  Research source}
3
Spray the solution onto your window. Evenly coat the window, but don’t use too much. You don’t want a dripping, sloppy mess.
4
Scrub your window with newspaper. Do this systematically: start at the top left corner and work your way to the right, then move down and work from the left to right again.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Newspaper cleans glass better than paper towels, which leave streaky marks.
- You may want to wear gloves, as the newsprint could stain your hands.
5
Check for streaks or marks. If you missed any areas, scrub them with a bit of the damp newspaper. Don’t spray the solution directly onto the window, as you would likely have to clean the entire window again.
- If you still have streaks on your windows, mix 2 cups (470 mL) of water, ¹⁄₄ cup (59 mL) of vinegar and ¹⁄₂ teaspoon (2.5 mL) of dish soap in a spray bottle. Spray the window and wipe it clean.
6
Wipe down the window frame and sills. This will help you catch any bits of dust or dirt left behind, and ensure your entire window area is clean. Enjoy your sparkling, streak-free windows!

Advertisement

Community Q&A

Question

How do I get the cleanest windows?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids based in northern Colorado. Driscoll received her Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health in 2016.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

Cleaning windows on a regular basis will help reduce excess build up and grime and will be much easier to keep clean. Be sure to scrub the grime off and dry them first before your final wipe down with a microfiber cloth or newspaper. Also be sure to use a clean cloth on every window. Once any dust gets into your cloth, it can spread to another window and leave streaks. You want to avoid wiping the window frame and the window glass at the same time, as that can also transfer the debris and dust onto your window.
Question

How do you make homemade glass cleaner?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids based in northern Colorado. Driscoll received her Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health in 2016.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

A simple recipe for homemade glass cleaner is 1 part vinegar to 1 part water. Some brands of store purchased glass cleaner are too strong and will leave streaks, so vinegar and water is oftentimes the best choice. Alternatively, you can use 2 cups of water, 1/4 cup of vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon of dish soap.
Question

What is the best way to clean exterior windows?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids based in northern Colorado. Driscoll received her Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health in 2016.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

Oftentimes you can effectively clean your windows from the inside. You can purchase an extendable squeegee that will allow you to reach window panes after removing the screen. Alternatively, many windows are made to pop out, so you can remove them from inside and hand clean them. If neither of these options is practical for your particular window, you will most likely need to wash them from the outside using a ladder. If you are uncomfortable or have any safety concerns, it is recommended to call a professional window washer.
Question

What is the best way to clean windows without streaking?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids based in northern Colorado. Driscoll received her Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health in 2016.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

Depending on how dirty your window is, you may have to do a couple cleaning rounds. First, start by cleaning off any dirt, grime, or dust that may be on your window using soapy water and a cloth or steel wool. If you do not fully remove any built-up grime in the first round of cleaning, you may end up with streaky windows. Once all the dirt is removed from the window, you can do a final run through over the window with a solution made of half vinegar and half water. Be sure to use a clean microfiber cloth or even newspaper to finish off the windows.

Warnings

Use fine steel wool only! A very fine grade of steel wool will not scratch your windows and will clean them effectively. DO NOT use pre-soaped steel wool such as is sold for cleaning pots and pans. That is usually much too coarse for windows, and it is often made with soap, which will cause streaks. If you do not know what type of steel wool to buy, go to the hardware store and ask for #0000 (4 zeros) steel wool.

Thanks!
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0