Keeping our car windows clean and clear is paramount, as it significantly affects visibility and, ultimately, driving safety. Dirty windows can reduce visibility, leading to accidents or unintentional curb damage. Even smudges and streaks on auto glass can be distracting while driving.
Another undeniable fact is that nothing beats homemade car window cleaners regarding cost-effectiveness and eco-friendliness. This post will go over some of the best homemade car window cleaner recipes and processes that you can use to keep your car windows spotless. Just be careful about getting any type of glass cleaner on your car’s paint.
But let’s start by discussing the benefits of homemade car window cleaners in general.
The Benefits of Homemade Car Window Cleaners
1. Cost-Effectiveness
With time, you’ll spend a fortune to clean your car windows and windshield regularly, as commercial auto glass cleaners come with a hefty price tag. Indeed, commercial car window cleaners come with many indirect costs, from manufacturing, storage, and logistics to retailers’ rent and profit margins.
DIY car window cleaners eliminate all these additional costs, making them a much cheaper alternative. You just need to mix a few readily available ingredients, which brings us to our next point.
2. Customization Options
Different car owners have varying cleaning needs based on the climate they live in or their driving habits. Not all commercial cleaners cater to these unique requirements, but with homemade auto glass cleaners, you can spice up the recipe to accommodate your user needs.
For example, drivers who get their cars into lots of mud and dirt may prefer extra soap in their cleaner, while those living in dry areas may add an ingredient to reduce static electricity.
If you live somewhere with hard water, you can adjust your recipe to account for the mineral deposits that could damage your windows. Additionally, some folks prefer working with environmentally friendly alternatives, which brings us to our next point.
3. Eco-Friendly Alternatives
Incrementally, the chemicals we use to clean our cars end up in rivers, lakes, and oceans, harming aquatic life. While this may seem insignificant on an individual level, consider the collective impact of millions of drivers disposing of harmful cleaners daily.
The global society is gradually becoming more aware of the need to protect our environment, and making your car window cleaner is an excellent way to contribute.
The ingredients for homemade cleaners are often natural and safe for the environment. You can even reuse old spray bottles from other cleaners to reduce waste. By choosing eco-friendly options, you save money and also do your part in preserving the planet.
The Essential Ingredients for Homemade Car Window Cleaners
Before getting into the recipes, let’s go over the essential ingredients for homemade car window cleaners. These are common household items readily available and have excellent cleaning properties. Let’s take a closer look at each one.
1. Vinegar
This natural ingredient is a staple in most homemade cleaning products. It’s a weak acid with excellent degreasing and disinfecting properties, perfect for cleaning car windows. Vinegar also helps to dissolve water spots, making your windows streak-free.
2. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice contains citric acid, so it has powerful cleaning properties. It can remove stubborn stains and grime from car windows without damaging the glass. Plus, it leaves a refreshing citrus scent behind.
3. Cornstarch
Cornstarch is another common household item that has surprising cleaning abilities. All you have to do is mix it with liquids to leverage its mildly bleaching, absorbent, and abrasive qualities. It sticks to dirt and grime, making it easier to wipe or brush away the mess.
4. Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is a disinfectant and solvent that easily dissolves grease, cutting through all the stubborn grime on car windows. It has a fast evaporation rate and won’t leave any residue behind. However, be cautious when using this ingredient on tinted windows, as it can damage the film.
5. Dish Soap
This kitchen staple is not just for washing dishes! It’s also an excellent ingredient in homemade car window cleaners. Dish soap has powerful surfactants that break down grime.
Safety Considerations and Precautions for DIY Car Window Cleaners
While these ingredients are safe for general use, you still need to take some precautions when making and using homemade car window cleaners.
- Wear protective gloves for your hands when handling acidic ingredients.
- Avoid mixing bleach with any of the above ingredients, as it can create toxic fumes.
- Test a small area of your car windows before applying the cleaner to ensure it doesn’t cause any damage.
DIY Car Window Cleaner Recipes
Now that you know the essential ingredients and their properties, let’s dive into some DIY car window cleaner recipes. These are simple and effective solutions that you can make at home.
Recipe 1: Basic Vinegar and Water Solution
Ingredients
- One cup of white vinegar.
- One cup of water.
Mixing and Application Process
- Using a spray bottle, mix the vinegar and the water.
- Shake well to mix the solution.
- Spray onto your car windows and wipe with a clean cloth or paper towel.
Benefits and Limitations
- It’s mildly acidic and easily dissolves dirt and grime easily.
- It’s an inexpensive option for cleaning car windows.
- However, it may leave a strong odor that some people may not like.
Recipe 2: Lemon Juice and Cornstarch Mix
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup of lemon juice.
- One tablespoon of cornstarch.
- Two cups of water.
Mixing and Application Process
- Mix the lemon juice, cornstarch, and water in a spray bottle.
- Shake well to ensure the cornstarch dissolves completely.
- Spray onto your car windows and wipe with a clean cloth or paper towel.
- Waiting for the cleaner to sit for a few minutes before wiping it off helps take care of stubborn stains.
Effectiveness in Removing Stubborn Stains
The citric acid helps remove tough stains like bird droppings and tree sap. The cornstarch helps give the solution a thicker consistency for absorbing the stains better.
Recipe 3: Rubbing Alcohol and Dish Soap Combo
Ingredients
- One cup of rubbing alcohol.
- One tablespoon of dish soap.
- Two cups of water.
Mixing and Application Process
- Mix the rubbing alcohol, dish soap, and water in a spray bottle.
- Shake well to mix the solution.
- Spray onto your car windows and wipe with a clean cloth or paper towel.
- The isopropyl alcohol helps remove grease and grime, while the dish soap helps cut through dirt and oil effectively.
Safety Considerations and Precautions
- Wear gloves when handling rubbing alcohol because you don’t want skin irritation.
- Don’t touch your eyes or mouth when handling this cleaner. In case you do, quickly rinse with lots of water.
- Keep these cleaners out of reach of children and pets.
- It’s always a good idea to test the solution on a small, inconspicuous area first to see if it causes damage or discoloration.
Final Thoughts on Homemade Car Window Cleaners
Overall, making your own car window cleaner presents a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option. It also allows you to control the ingredients used, ensuring safer and more effective cleaning.
Experiment with different recipes and find the one that best suits your needs. Remember, safety is always the top priority, and don’t forget to test your DIY car window cleaner on a small area first.
Also, learn how to get water spots off car windows and how to remove stickers from car windows. It will also save you money in the long run.
