If you’re looking for a natural way to clean your windows, consider making your own solution with natural, easy-to-find ingredients.
Most store-bought window cleaners leave a streak-free shine, but they do it with chemicals that are harmful to both you and the environment. For a safer alternative, try one of these homemade window cleaner recipes.
Lemon and Mint
Lemon and mint offer numerous health benefits, but they also have great sanitizing properties, including antibacterial and antiseptic properties, so they keep germs at bay. Lemon is also an acidic fruit, so it’s useful for washing off grease and removing even the most stubborn stains. And, of course, both ingredients smell great.
To make your own batch of lemon-mint window cleaner, mix 2 cups club soda, ½ teaspoon peppermint essential oil, the juice from one lemon, and a teaspoon of corn starch. Put the mix in a spray bottle, and shake the bottle before each use.
Vinegar and Cornstarch
If you prefer something less tempting, go with a vinegar-based solution. Vinegar doesn’t leave streaks on your windows, and because it’s all-natural it’s safe on clothing and hands and isn’t toxic to your kids.
To make your own vinegar window cleaner, mix 2 cups of water with 3 tablespoons of vinegar and half a teaspoon of liquid dish detergent. For an extra kick, use a chemical-free dish detergent, particularly one that smells like lemon, citrus, or some other pleasant fragrance.
If you want to add germ-killing power to your solution, blend in rubbing alcohol. The best mix includes one cup of water, 2 tablespoons each of vinegar and alcohol, and 1 ½ teaspoons of cornstarch. Add a refreshing scent with a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
When it’s time to wash the windows, leave the store-bought stuff aside and create your own safe, effective, all-natural product.