How to Clean Glass Without Streaks

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Smudges, grime, or even streaks on glass are often a pain to remove. Streaks on glasses are inevitable if you use the wrong cleaning solution or even fail to clean regularly. And while there’s not much to do to make the process easier, you can always prevent streaks from appearing in the first place.

Although they’re the most common choice for cleaning glass, most multi-purpose cleaners use harsh, toxic chemicals that leave streaks behind.

So, below I’ll list a few easy, non-toxic ingredients in your kitchen pantry that you can use to clean any glass surface. I’ll also give tips for getting a shiny, spotless finish.

How to Clean Glass Without Streaks Using Homemade Cleaners

These homemade glass cleaners below are no competition to your average commercial glass cleaners. They’re inexpensive, they don’t have harsh chemicals, and you can quickly whip up any of these blends without heading out to the store.

Water

You can clean your glass with plain water and a soft sponge or squeeze in a few drops of dishwashing soap to make sure you leave it squeaky clean. You don’t need to bust out your cleaning solution if you don’t have to scrub off tough smudges and grime. Cleaning the glass with water and a washcloth will suffice.

Of course, water alone will only clean the glass if you regularly clean it and there are no stubborn stains on it. If it’s a bit dirty, move on to the following options.

Lemon

Mixing lemon juice in your glass cleanser recipe isn’t entirely new. This power food has been known as an effective ingredient for detoxifying your liver, kidneys, and even intestines. Most housewives use it because it’s inexpensive and readily available. Surprisingly, it has some similar benefits for cleaning surfaces.

Lemon juice has antibacterial and antiseptic properties, which makes it perfect as a household cleaner. All you have to do is dilute the juice of one lemon with some water, and you can use it to clean glass and wooden surfaces or even remove tough stains on fabrics. Not only that but using lemon as a cleaning detergent leaves your home smelling good, too!

Vinegar

Like lemon, vinegar is an effective glass cleaner. It has natural antibacterial properties, which is why it has been dubbed a miraculous cleaning agent. It’s one of the most powerful cleaning solutions to remove streaks on windows or mirrors due to its acidic composition. Its formula can easily break down that thin layer of dirt that accumulates on any glass surface.

You can either mix white vinegar and water in a spray bottle or mix half a cup of white vinegar with four tablespoons of lemon juice and a teaspoon of dish soap in a bottle. Both solutions are equally effective and affordable.

Salt

I know what you’re thinking, salt is too coarse to clean glass. But in fact, salt is one of the best cleaners when it’s dissolved in water. Its highly soluble form in water is what makes it an effective cleaner. Using salt in your cleaning solution makes it easy to clean any grime, stains, or rust off any glass surface.

Salt’s soft, exfoliant quality makes it the perfect cleaning agent to remove stains on ceramics, stained glasses, or even pots.

Essential Oils

Essential oils won’t only clean your glass until it’s spotless but also leave your home smelling divine! Breathing in the natural scents could serve as aromatherapy for the entire family.

Essential oils are famous for cleaning because of their non-toxic, disinfectant properties. Only a few drops of them are enough to give you a shiny, spotless glass surface. Mix half a cup of liquid castile soap, ¼ cup of white vinegar, 25 drops of citrus essential oil, and distilled water in a spray bottle and spritz away.

After cleaning, you can use lavender oil for deodorizing. You can also use plenty of other essential oils too. The ones popular for their cleaning abilities are tea tree oil, lemon oil, eucalyptus oil, and wild orange oil.

Cornstarch

If your glass looks shiny and smooth, it can be tricky to find that it’s full of tiny bits of trapped water and other cleaners. Try running your fingers down that smooth surface, and you’ll discover that your perfect glass isn’t perfect.

Glass surfaces are often peppered with tiny pits where water gets trapped after cleaning. These substances usually cause spots and streaks to form on the surface. Using cornstarch will remove these bits and give your glass a shiny look. However, it’s nothing you can’t fix.

You will need about two cups of water, one tablespoon of cornstarch, ¼ cup of white vinegar, and ¼ cup of rubbing alcohol. Use this mix to wipe the glass, and preferably use a microfiber cloth to ensure no bits stay behind. You’ll regain that shiny look in no time.

What Tools to Use to Clean Glass Without Streaks

While having the optimal cleaning solution is essential, using the wrong washcloth to wipe the glass will waste your time and leave you with plenty of streaks. Below is a list of the best tools to use for glass cleaning:

• Soft cloth, lint-free cloth, or microfiber towel
• Soft sponge
• Squeegee
• Coffee filters or newspapers

How to Wipe Glass to Prevent Streaks

A wiping technique is just as crucial as a bottle of the perfect cleaning solution. You can make a side-to-side motion, a zigzag pattern, a circular cleaning style, or even an s-shape wiping tactic. It’s all up to you.

Apply the cleaning solution to your cloth instead of spraying it directly on the glass.

Last Step: Buff Your Glass

An important final step to have your glass sparkling is to buff it. Simply take a clean, dry cloth (microfiber towel, soft washcloth, or lint-free cloth) and wipe the surface thoroughly.