Cleaning Products That You Should Never Use on Your Windows

If you’ve arrived here and are shopping around for the best product to clean your windows, take some time to learn what products work best for window cleaning. If you know what you should be using but are staring at an empty bottle or you just don’t have time to pick any up, this article is for you.

If you’re looking in your cleaning closet and wondering which products might be up to the job, let us tell you what to avoid. A homemade solution can be as simple as equal parts vinegar and warm water. Be aware though that some household cleaning products can damage your windows. Read on to see this list of products so that you can avoid a more intensive and expensive cleaning job.

Multi-Purpose Cleaner

Although the name makes it seem like you can use it on anything, it’s best to keep this product away from your glass windows. The product will coat your window with a film that makes it difficult to clean in the future. A lot of multi-purpose cleaners contain oils that will cause streaking when the windows are cleaned in the future.

It’s best to avoid the future hassle and use friendlier products for your sensitive glass surfaces.

Tap Water

This one may come as a bit of surprise but if you want to avoid using any soaps or chemicals to be more environmentally friendly, using just tap water on your windows can leave you with spottier windows than when you started. Just because tap water can be safe to drink, it doesn’t mean that it is clean. There is a lot of sediment in tap water that gets left behind after the water dries and evaporates.

This article goes more in depth with the matter, but if you have access to pure water, it is a better option to achieve that streak-free finish. If you must use tap water, try to add an ammonia-based cleaner to your water so that it lifts away any unwanted sediment that may stick behind.

Dishwashing Liquid

You could say there’s a reason why they named it as such. Dishwashing liquid is designed for just that – washing dishes. It works great on your dishes, but you aren’t trying to look through your plates and cutlery to see the world outside.

The dishwashing liquid creates a mountain of bubbles that are welcome in the sink, but not so much on your windows. It can be a hassle to clear from your glass and can leave an oily surface if not completely removed.

Final Words

If you’re unsure about what product to use to clean your windows, it’s best to avoid the guesswork and use a product that is specifically designed to clean windows. If you have the time, go get yourself a proper glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth. If you need a deeper clean, take look at this article, or look into hiring a professional. Whichever route you go, make sure to avoid using any products that will make cleaning your windows more difficult in the future.