As a homeowner, there’s no doubt that you’ve spent countless hours trying to get every window in your home crystal clear. However, the store-bought products that you’re using might be the reason for your window cleaning troubles. You might be surprised to learn that you can make some pretty awesome window cleaners right in your own home!

While we always recommend first trying the recommended cleaner from the manufacturer there are some other options that may help. DIY window cleaners work just as good if not better than those expensive store-bought products. So, open your cabinets and begin pulling out all of the necessities. The best DIY window cleaners only require a few household items.

Are you ready to get those fingerprints off your windows with ease? Continue reading below for our list of the best cleaners that you can make yourself at home!

1. Streak-Free Window Cleaner

Store-bought window products not only invade your home with harsh chemicals, but they tend to leave more streaks than clearness on your windows. Nothing is more frustrating than cleaning your windows only to be left with a bunch of streaks afterward. Is there really any point in cleaning them in the first place?

Luckily, our homemade DIY window cleaner is here to take all those streak troubles away. Here’s what you’ll need.

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/4 a cup of rubbing alcohol
• 1/4 a cup of distilled white vinegar
• 10 drops essential oil (lemon, lavender, orange)
• 2 cups of water

Most of these items you most likely already have in your pantry. If you have apple cider vinegar, you can use this in place of the white vinegar. Here’s how you’ll use it.

1. In a glass spray bottle, combine all ingredients. Shake the bottle until all of the ingredients are well combined. You want to ensure the cornstarch is dissolved, otherwise, it might clog the spray nozzle.
2. Spray your windows with the mixture and wipe clean!

You can also use this solution on other home surfaces such as the glass on your oven.

2. Cornstarch and Ammonia Window Cleaner

Ammonia is inexpensive and works great on ridding windows of dirt, hard water spots, and fingerprints. With this solution, however, you will want to wipe your windows with something a bit tougher such as a newspaper. Doing so will prevent streaks from appearing.

Here’s what you’ll need.

• 2 quarts of warm water
• 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
• 1/2 a cup of ammonia

Take all of the ingredients and mix them together in a glass spray bottle. Once they’re all well combined, you can begin using the solution. Here’s how you’ll use it.

1. Spray your windows with a light mist of the solution.
2. Use a newspaper to wipe the windows clean.

Be sure to wipe the windows clean in one direction only. This will also help prevent streaks.

3. Vinegar Window Cleaner

Almost every home has vinegar in its kitchen or bathroom cabinets. Vinegar is a popular household item due to its many cleaning purposes. Your home’s windows are no exception.

To clean your windows with vinegar, you’ll only need a few ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need.

• 1 cup of warm water
• 1 cup of white distilled vinegar

The vinegar works to break down any film that’s formed on your windows. It’ll also clear all smudges and fingerprints without leaving any streaks. Here’s how you’ll use it.

1. Fill a glass spray bottle with all the ingredients and mix well.
2. Spray your windows with the solution and wipe clean with a lint-free cloth.

If your windows are really dirty, you might want to consider washing your windows off with soap and water before using this solution to clean them.

4. Vinegar and Dish Detergent Window Cleaner

Another DIY window cleaner solution using vinegar is our vinegar and dish detergent cleaner. If you’re working on cleaning multiple windows, you might want to use a scrub brush and bucket rather than a spray bottle. Here’s what you’ll need.

• 1/2 a teaspoon of dish detergent
• 2 cups of water
• 1/4 cup of white vinegar

Grab your bucket and scrub brush or your glass spray bottle and combine all of the ingredients. Once you combine them, here’s how you’ll use it.

1. Use a soft bristle scrub brush to scrub your windows with the solution.
2. Before the solution has a chance to dry, spray it off with clean water.

This will prevent water spots from forming on the windows.

5. Lemon Juice Window Cleaner

Lemon juice works similar to that of the white vinegar when it comes to cleaning purposes. Lemon juice is full of acid and will cut through grease and grime with ease. It’ll also work wonderfully at polishing the glass surface.

Here’s what you’ll need.

• 1 quart of warm water
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice

Mix the lemon juice with the warm water and combine the two inside a glass spray bottle. Here’s how you’ll use it.

1. Spray your windows with the solution.
2. Wipe the windows clean with a dry and soft cloth.

Don’t forget that this cleaning solution works great for cleaning grout as well!

What Are the Best DIY Window Cleaners?

So, what are the best DIY window cleaners? After reading this guide, we hope you now have a few DIY window cleaners to make at home and try out yourself! Everyone has different needs when it comes to cleaning their windows.

Because of this, you might need to take the time to try out a few solutions until you find the one that works best for you.

And when you’re ready to replace your old and worn down windows with brand new ones, be sure to check out our Milgard windows!