There are a variety of methods for cleaning a mirror that do not require the use of store-bought glass cleaner. Glass cleaner isn’t inexpensive, and it stinks and contains a lot of chemicals. I’ll never go back to the store-bought item now that I know how to clean glass without using glass cleaner. Making your own cleaning solution for windows and mirrors is, in fact, really simple. Glass surfaces are notoriously difficult to clean, and we’ve been led to believe that without an expensive industrial cleaner, we won’t be able to achieve streak-free mirrors.
Any of these other glass cleaning methods will work on both windows and mirrors, which is fantastic. The cleanliness of your home’s glass surfaces, such as windows and mirrors, has a significant impact on how clean it seems. When we clean our bathroom mirrors or the slider to our back porch, it always amazes me how much difference it makes. The goal of glass cleaner is to remove any lint or residue from the surface. If you don’t have any, you might be able to make do with something else. Give one of the ways below a try the next time you need to clean glass without using Windex.
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1 – Water
Water is the cheapest alternative to Windex for cleaning a mirror or window. While glass cleaner will remove built-up filth better than water, if you clean on a regular basis, you’ll probably be able to get by with only water and elbow grease most of the time. This is the least expensive and least hazardous alternative but it won’t disinfect your glass as well.
2 – Wipes to Disinfect
A disinfecting wipe is another simple way to clean glass that does not require the use of glass cleaner. On their website, Clorox even suggests using them for this. We’ve tried it at home for very awful surfaces (like our back slider, which our dogs often rub their noses on) and it works well.
3 – Baby Wipes
Baby wipes (we’ve recently converted to these ones) are an easy substitution for glass cleaner that we’re all too acquainted with in my house. We always seem to come up with new ways to use them.
We use them if we need to clean a small spot on a window fast and we already have one handy. They seem to perform a pretty excellent job of cleaning glass and are obviously less harmful to use than a disinfectant wipe, so we use them.
4 – Dishwasher Liquid
Mixing a few drops of liquid dish soap with water is a wonderful DIY alternative for glass cleaner. This is a low-cost, but efficient, method of cleaning your windows or mirrors. Just make sure you’re using a lint-free microfiber cloth or something similar. Instead of using a microfiber cloth or paper towel, use a coffee filter if you want to go all out. Coffee filters are strong, don’t rip easily, don’t leave lint, and can withstand being wet. Most importantly, they’re inexpensive and likely to be found in your home.
5 – Dryer Sheets
While we’re on the subject of thinking outside the box, a dryer sheet can be used to clean glass surfaces without using glass cleaner. Many people use dryer sheets to clean their shower glass doors, and they are known to perform effectively. Even a used dryer sheet will suffice, so keep them after they’ve been through the dryer. If you decide you no longer want to use your dryer sheets, this could be a wonderful alternative.
6 – Vinegar
Finally, vinegar is a good glass cleaning replacement. Simply combine vinegar and water in a 50/50 or less (less vinegar) ratio, then clean as you would with any of the other alternatives mentioned. For many individuals, this is the go-to option and a great Windex substitute.
7–Use rubbing alcohol
Another option for cleaning mirrors without using Windex is to use rubbing alcohol. It can be sprayed directly on the mirror or diluted, similar to vinegar. To make sure my mirrors are really clean, I’ll keep the rubbing alcohol to water mixture at 50/50 once more.
While glass cleaner does its job well, there are occasions when you don’t have any on hand or simply don’t want to use it. Whatever the case may be, remember that there are many fair alternatives to pick from when you need a good substitute that will give similar outcomes.
Cornstarch causes water to act differently on a window. Even though they seem to be, windows aren’t completely flat and smooth. When you spray any kind of cleaner on a window, minute droplets collect in the microscopic holes that run the length of the glass.
Is Windex bad for mirrors?
Clean, warm water used with a delicate cloth is the safest cleaning for a mirror. It’s okay to use a glass cleaner like Windex or anything similar. These, too, can harm the edges and backing of the mirror, resulting in a ruined mirror. Never use a cleaner to clean a mirror directly. Because the ammonia in Windex causes streaks on auto glass, it is not suggested for use on the interior of your windshields. This causes glare when driving, making it more difficult to drive comfortably. Tinted windows are damaged by ammonia.
Vinegar and Water
A suitable ratio is one cup of vinegar to one cup of water. Directly into your spray bottle with a funnel, measure water and vinegar. Gently swish to combine, and your vinegar solution is ready to use.
Is Windex free from ammonia?
Ammonia-based cleaners are just as effective. Glass cleaning products that don’t contain ammonia work just as well as those that does.
Windex’s negative effects
Solvents, surfactants, and ammonia are used to clean glass surfaces in cleaning products like Windex. There are scents and dyes in some items. Minor tongue and throat discomfort, stomach distress, and vomiting are all possible side effects of small ingestible. Minor redness and irritation may result from brief contact with the skin.
