If you are a long-time reader of my blog, you have probably heard about my love for natural, homemade cleaners. In 2015, I shared my homemade all-purpose cleaner recipe, and earlier this year, I posted my recipe for homemade toilet bowl cleaner. I still use both of those to this day, and they continue to work wonderfully.
As a Christmas gift, my youngest sister-in-law, Lena, gave me a set of natural cleaning solutions and bath products. My favorite item was the homemade glass cleaner. Until then, I had been using store-bought window cleaners (like Windex or a comparable generic brand), and although they worked decently well, I wasn’t thrilled about the toxic smell they left behind.
This all-natural glass cleaner recipe is tried and true, and it’s so easy to make. I just have to share it with you!
Why the warm water? Do you rewarm the solution each time you use it, or make it fresh each time?
The warm water helps the ingredients dissolve better initially, but the solution does not need to be warmed before each use. This glass cleaner stores well, so feel free to make an entire bottle.
Ellie
I do something easier Ellie! I have the Norwex cloth and shiner cloth. All you do is wet it under hot water, ring it out, and wash your window, then dry it with the shiner cloth. Totally streak-free every time! I haven't used a cleaner in years…but if you need to use a cleaner I'm proud of you Ellie for looking for natural solutions!! Look up norwex sometime…I janitor a church and this cloth works 100 percent all the time on big church windows with no cleaner.
Thanks for mentioning that! I have a couple Norwex cloths, and I love them. For grimy sinks and counters, I prefer to use a cleaning product, but to each their own. š
Ellie
I have been using water and vinegar, maybe I should add your other ingredients. Eileen
Ellie, would you comment a bit about the rubbing alcohol and corn starch and benefits? Would it be better than just vinegar and water? Thank you. This was a timely post as fall cleaning is just here! Eileen
Hi Eileen,
Good question. When I run out of this, I often use plain water and vinegar once or twice until I am able to make more. It does an okay job, but the vinegar and water plus cornstarch and rubbing alcohol solution does a better job at eliminating streaks. Hope this helps! š
Ellie
Thanks for taking the time to give more details. I am not sure if I can find rubbing alcohol but will look for it. Eileen
Rubbing alcohol is the kind you find in the drug store or in the heath & beauty section of a grocery store or discount store. It may say isopropyl alcohol on it. The term "rubbing" is sometimes used to distinguish this alcohol from the kind you can drink.
O sweet Ellie you are just like me with cleaners! I love it. Thank you for your tips.
I don't know if this has happened to you but people will ask me where a cleaner is sometimes in my house and I say on the low shelf etc… They go looking for something like windex and I hear a I can't find it. That is because I make most of my own like you seem to. When I show them the bottle, which has a smaller homemade lable on it they look at me and ask about it. My reasons are because I like to try and keep surfaces safe so i don't have to worry about toxins for kids, cat, and adults. I also like how it is much more green.
People have suggested green cleaners but I have had a few people say they prefer the homemade ones. I like knowing what is going into things. I have a general rule about meat. I like to see it at first looking like the part of the animal it came from.
There is a time in my opinion for something harsh but not on a daily basis. Do you have a suggestion for a home made cleaner for when you really want to sanitise. I use bleach and rubbing alcohol but I like how the Scrubbing Bubble really takes on the grime. It is one of the cleaners I do buy. It takes a lot of the hard scrubbing work away and at times it is nice to have things a little easier. Vinegar and baking soda can be helpful but when it comes to the bath room or a real scrub down does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks!
Hi Laura,
You sound just like me. Scrubbing Bubbles is actually one of the only store-bought cleaners that I buy! Vinegar and baking soda plus a scrub brush cuts down on grime for bathtubs, but I find myself using Scrubbing bubbles every couple weeks (and even Comet bleach powder from time to time) because our bathtubs are pure white and they stain terribly.
Feel free to share more about your favorite natural cleaners. š
Ellie
I like baking soda & vinegar, too, maybe with a touch of Dawn added for a really soap-scummy shower stall. But when those aren't cutting it, I switch to Bon Ami. I also use Mr. Clean Magic Erasers and water, but you have to watch them on fiberglass. My friend, a real scrubaholic, messed up her shower stall finish by using the heavy duty erasers too much. I told her she should have left that protective layer of scum there, LOL!
Thanks for sharing this recipe. I had just been thinking about looking one up.
Thanks again!!
Hi Ellie: I just wanted to ask what things do you usually buy during Black Friday/ Cyber Monday, and from what stores? Thanks.
M
I, too, have gone "green", using natural products for all my cleaning tasks. I find they clean as well as other cleaners with less expense.
You guys, just get yourself those hand – held window cleaning supplies…look them up….they last forever! Other than those, a dry rag, warm water, a dot of natural dish soap, and a pail, you'll never need anything else!!