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Great DIY Window Solution – 4 Window Washing Recipes

Posted by Kelly Natural Cleaning 14 comments
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I’ve tested and put together 4 great window washing recipes for you. Yes, don’t we love window washing?

Actually, I don’t really mind it. I just hate when I think I’ve done a marvelous job and then when the sun shines on them it looks like my kids were licking them or something. Part of this has to do with what liquid you use to wash them, the other has to do with what cloth you use.

4 Great Window Washing Recipes with healthy ingredients like vinegar and essential oils from Simple Life Mom

Lets tackle the cloth first.

Many people will tell you to never use a paper towel, or anything paper because of it’s wood base. They supposedly put microscopic scratches into the glass. That may be true, but what I see when I use other suggested items (like a cotton t-shirt) is the fuzz that is left behind. That drives me crazy.

Coffee filters are very soft and do not leave fuzz. They are a great option if you have some extra lying around. Otherwise, try to find a cotton cloth that does NOT leave the fuzz behind, or some terry cloth.

As for what to wash with…how complicated do you want to get? Here are 4 great window washing recipes to get you started. The vary in complication, so choose the one you like best.

4 Window Washing Recipes

The first one only has water in it. Essential oils for scent are optional.

A lot of times, using water in a spray bottle with the right kind of cloth can be enough. If you want a stronger cleaner that does better with eliminating streaks, check out the other recipes below.

#1 Water and Essential Oils

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups Water
  • 5 drops of your favorite essential oil

Directions:

  1. Combine water and essential oils in a spray bottle. I like a citrus like lemon or orange, but lavender is lovely too.
  2. Shake before each use.

Hey, it works, but just water can be harder to get all the streaks off. So if you’re looking for a stronger help, then try the following recipes.

#2 Vinegar and Water

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup vinegar
  • 2 cups water
  • 5 drops of your favorite essential oil.

Directions:

  1. Combine vinegar, water, and essential oils in a spray bottle.
  2. Shake before each use.

#3 Vinegar, Water and Arrowroot Powder

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)
  • 2 cup warm water
  • 5 drops of your favorite essential oil

Directions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a large spray bottle.
  2. Shake before each use.

The arrowroot in this recipe helps to get any grit off the glass, while helping it to dry nicely. I like this recipe a lot. Just remember to shake the bottle to mix up the arrowroot before using.

#4 Alcohol and Vinegar

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)
  • 2 cups warm water
  • 5-7 drops of your favorite essential oil

Directions:

  1. Combine alcohol, vinegar, arrowroot powder, water, and essential oils.
  2. Shake well before each use.

Adding rubbing alcohol to the mixture will aid it even more. My windows look brand new! And the nice thing is that I didn’t have to search for streaks in the light.

4 Great Window Washing Recipes with healthy ingredients like vinegar and essential oils from Simple Life Mom

Remember that certain essential oils, like grapefruit essential oil, are natural bacteria killers, so this is an extra bonus since the fine particles will be drifting throughout your home. Enjoying the scent as you clean (It’s much better than the vinegar smell) actually makes washing windows enjoyable.

What essential oil do you like to use in your cleaners?

Looking for other cleaning recipes? Check these out:

  • All Purpose Cleaner
  • Toilet Cleaner
  • Oven Cleaner
  • Floor Cleaner
  • Disinfectant Essential Oil Blends for CleaningSave

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14 comments

About Kelly

Kelly is the author of number one best seller The Natural Soap Making Book for Beginners and Easy Soap Making. She's also written multiple ebooks on herbal remedies and natural bath and body DIYs.Her journey toward better health has inspired her to make things in and around the home from scratch, start a homestead, and become more resourceful when it comes to health and home.She shares her recipes and DIYs here on Simple Life Mom and has a shop where she sells products for those who would rather buy than make (SimpleLifeMom.com/shop).

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14 comments

Leave your reply.
  • Rhonda Sittig
    · Reply

    October 21, 2012 at 1:55 AM

    You’re right– I do hate to wash windows– maybe this will get me going!

  • Natasha
    · Reply

    March 23, 2013 at 4:04 AM

    Thank you. I have pets that love licking windows and mirrors. I hate using any type of chemicals because they get sick. I’ve just been using water but it just doesn’t feel clean to me. Thank you so much <3

    • kellycable
      · Reply

      March 25, 2013 at 8:45 PM

      That’s great!

  • Janine
    · Reply

    April 30, 2014 at 8:32 AM

    So many options to the blue toxic windex. I will have to try the cornstarch, but have found that water works just great for us…is you use microfiber. Thanks for linking up to Oil me Up Wednesday. I hope you will be back next week!

    • Simple Life Mom
      · Reply

      Author
      April 30, 2014 at 9:32 AM

      Thanks Janine. I think I just like adding essential oils so my house smells like it, ha ha

  • Marla
    · Reply

    April 30, 2014 at 9:43 AM

    I never use any toxic chemicals cleaners – try to use DIY recipes or simple basic ingredients. I like your DIY window washing recipes. I found a good ingredients also to add is hydrogen peroxide with water – it will clean your windows without any smells. Thanks for sharing. Visiting from OIl Me Up Wednesdays.

    • Simple Life Mom
      · Reply

      Author
      April 30, 2014 at 9:47 AM

      Thanks Marla. I love adding lavender essential oil. Makes washing windows very pleasant 🙂

  • Marjie @ Home Again Jiggety-jig!
    · Reply

    March 12, 2015 at 1:41 PM

    Just saw a “recipe” this morning that included Dawn DW liquid and I wondered if you had ever tried adding it too.

    I’m afraid after reading this that I’m going to have to wash some windows!

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      March 13, 2015 at 10:07 PM

      Ha ha, I know. Mine are needing it. I have added dish soap before. I make my own. You don’t want to add much because it can leave a film on your window.

  • Kris
    · Reply

    March 26, 2015 at 4:17 PM

    I had read about using crumpled up newspaper also when you wash your windows. I kind of wrinkled my nose at this thinking it would leave ink streaks on the windows – but it doesn’t. It really helps take off all the bug and spider residue from last fall on outside windows. If needed, I give it a touch up with a paper towel. I agree with you on the lint from fabrics – this is especially noticeable on mirrors!

  • Katelin
    · Reply

    December 31, 2017 at 10:37 PM

    Most recently, I’ve been using the glass and window cleaner from The Honest Company. Unfortunately, it leaves some streaks on my windows. Arrowroot powder is an interesting ingredient for a non-streaking recipe… I may have to give that one a try!

  • Alicia Alexander
    · Reply

    April 12, 2018 at 12:39 PM

    I appreciate your recipes and your store. I frequent both.
    My spray bottle sprayers get clogged often. Would the arrowroot powder contribute to clogging?

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      April 15, 2018 at 9:04 AM

      Yes, I’m sure it would. You can put them in hot water and try to spray hot water through them to clear them out. That has helped mine in the past.

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