I may be the last thrifty homemaker to try making glass cleaner and this is probably not news to many of you but I finally tried making some spray cleaner. 2 bottles of Windex type cleaner both ran out about the same time as I had just done some shopping. I did not want to go shopping just to buy cleaner so I looked online to see what recipes had good reviews and used ingredients I had.
I tried this one and am really happy with it.
Homemade Glass Cleaner
- 1/4 c. rubbing alcohol
- 1/4 c. white vinegar
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
- 2 c. warm water- I heated mine in the microwave not till boiling but really hot
- and a drop of blue food coloring to make it look like Windex- optional!
Shake well before every use. The cornstarch could settle in the bottom of the bottle and the bottle might not spray right if the cornstarch clogs it.
I wrote SHAKE on the bottle just to remind the user to do that.
I also reused some empty Windex bottles but I know purist natural people would never do that.
This cleans just as well as Windex with no streaks.
The only draw back is the scent of vinegar and alcohol does smell as fresh as real Windex.
The homemade costs just pennies and Windex is at least $2 so I think I will stay with the homemade.
I am still using homemade spray starch too and very happy with it too
Several years ago I started using my own made up mix for cleaning glass. I just use 1/2 rubbing alcohol and 1/2 water in a spray bottle and does a fine job with no streaks! I spray it on countertops and sinks to disinfect too. :)
ReplyDeletep.s. don't let the mixture get on painted surfaces as it will peel the paint.
ReplyDeleteVery Cool! I have not tried this yet. I just bought a brand new bottle of Great Value Windex for $1, so I will have to keep this in mind next time I run out =)
ReplyDeleteSeveral of my family members just use alcohol and water, too.
ReplyDeleteYou can make the vinegar mixture smell better by cutting up citrus peels in it and allow it to sit for a while. The initial smell is still vinegary, but the vinegar smell goes away fast and you're left with the smell of whatever citrus you used.
I have not tried it...and my windex streaks! haha. I have nothing to loose! Thanks for the recipe...I have everything I need..that's easy!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!! Gonna have to give this a try
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried homemade yet--we are still using the giant Windex we bought at Sam's 8 years ago as newlyweds! It's almost gone though! I have a 7th Gen. window cleaner that I won a couple years ago that I'll try next and after that, I'll give homemade a try. It may be a while... LOL!!!
ReplyDeleteI would so reuse the Windex bottle!:-)
My father used to use vinegar and water with newspaper to clean windows. It worked really well. And I used to watch a show with Scottish ladies who would tell you tips to clean with homemade solutions. They need to bring that back again.
ReplyDeleteI love the header photo of Elizabeth surfing. Too cute!
Hugs from Holland ~
Heidi
I usually use alcohol. I'll have to try your version. I bet it works great!
ReplyDelete