If you spend a lot of time at home, chances are, you spend a lot of time focused on your windows — whether it’s to admire the view or because you just really like the light they let through. But how often do you stop to think about how clean they actually are? Warm summer months can lead to a buildup of grime and dirt on the windows and glass surfaces that can have detrimental effects on both your comfort and health. And the longer it all sits on the glass surface, the more difficult it is to scrub. To make sure that the view is as straightforward as possible, here are five natural solutions to help you keep them clean.
Recipe for very neglected windows
Your windows can gather all kinds of dirt depending on where you live. On the inside surface, the most common pollutants are dust and grease. On the exterior windows, it’s basically everything you can find in nature. The wind and rain ensure all kinds of nasties stick to the window glass.
This natural yet powerful window cleaning solution will eradicate even the most stubborn stains from the glass. To create it, you’ll need to mix 2 cups of rubbing alcohol with around ¾ gallon of water, stir them together, and then add half a cup of ammonia, 1 tablespoon of liquid dish detergent, and fill the rest of the bucket with water. Once all the ingredients are mixed together, you can apply it on the window, wait for a minute, and wipe off all the more extensive stains or greasy spots. Once you make sure, the nasty residue is off the window, repeat the process with a squeegee.
A simple version of a green window cleaner
This nifty cleaning solution is perfect for slightly dusty windows, which require s mild wipe to get their shine back, according to expert window cleaners. The vinegar will gently remove any dust, disinfect the surface and prevent static electricity, which usually attracts more dust. All you need is a clean spray bottle and fill it with 2 cups of warm water, 3 tablespoons of white vinegar, and half a tablespoon of liquid dish detergent. Close the bottle and shake it well until all the ingredients are mixed together. Spray the window and wipe it with a clean, lint-free cloth or a squeegee. If you use a squeegee, make sure to wipe the blade after each wipe. Otherwise, you’ll risk leaving streaks that will make the window look worse once it dries.
Use lemon for a fresh finish
The above-mentioned natural window cleaning solutions are simple but still effective. But they can also smell funny and not so appealing. If you want something fresh and pleasant, you can try this – get a gallon of water, pour ¼ cup of white vinegar into it, and add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and some liquid dish detergent to it. Jiggle the bottle to ensure all the ingredients are mixed together. Pour some of it into a spray bottle and clean your windows as usual. The lemon juice will not only bring a fragrant and fresh smell to the mix, but it will also thoroughly disinfect the entire area you use it on. A general rule is to clean your windows early in the morning or later in the afternoon. Avoid direct sunlight, as it makes the solution dry too quickly, leaving you no time to wipe it.
For heavy stains and scratches
Suppose you have scratches on your window glass on top of the heavy stains. Get 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, half a cup of household ammonia, half a cup of white vinegar and 1 gallon of warm water. Mix all those in a bucket, and stir them well until they mix together and the cornstarch is completely dissolved. After that, the cleaning should happen according to the standard procedure. The cornstarch should fill the scratch and make it less visible to the superficial eye.
Another option is to buff the window using metal polish. A simple metal polish can get rid of those unsightly scratches on glass. Clean the window with water and a microfiber cloth, then apply a small amount of metal polish to the crisscrosses of the scratch using a Q-tip or soft cloth. Polish directly onto the scratch and rinse it off with a clean cloth, making sure to remove all excess product.
The power of essential oils for window cleaning
Essential oils are in the middle of many healing and wellness processes we use in our everyday life. Essential oils are also often used as ingredients for creating homemade natural cleaning solutions. So, it’s evident that there will also be a natural window cleaning solution containing essential oils.
Don’t worry. This one is easy too. All you need is 2 cups of distilled water, 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and around 10 drops of essential oil of your choice. You can go with the classical lemon one or use some other scent that makes you feel at home. Besides lemon, the most popular essential oils for cleaning are tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint and cinnamon. Mix all the ingredients in a spray bottle, shake it well, and spray and wipe the window surface using a newspaper or squeegee and a t-bar. It can’t get any simpler than that!
Conclusion
Finding the perfect window cleaning solution for your windows is a challenging task. Your choice depends on the level of dirt your windows have gathered and your personal preferences – do you prefer natural cleaning solutions that you can make yourself, or do you just go to the store and buy the first one you see? We like the natural ones, because they are very easy to prepare, clean pretty well and don’t leave toxins behind them, which could harm your health and the one of your family. However, you don’t have to risk losing your grip while cleaning windows or spending hours trying to get them spotless. With these natural solutions, you can quickly clean your windows with ease!
