The Best Glass Cleaner

Buying Guide

You can do a lot with decor, but it’s really the windows that make a house feel like home. There’s nothing like looking out to see the sunrise from a nice, big picture window, but there is a downside to all that glass. Stains show up more prominently on larger windows, and when they do you need a good glass cleaner to take care of them.

Glass cleaners most often come in a spray bottle and can go on as a liquid or a foaming solution. Either way, you’re going to have to contribute a little elbow grease and wipe it off with a cloth or paper towel. The best glass cleaner, of course, is the one that takes the most dirt along with it — and leaves behind the least streaks.

When it comes to the choice between liquid or aerosol foam, there’s not really a clear winner. Foam tends to be more popular for washing car windows and outdoor glass because it can be more effective at removing thick, caked on dirt. It is generally more expensive though, and cheaper foam can leave behind stubborn streaks if not applied correctly. It’s also harder to make the most of each bottle since you can’t remove the top and get those last few drops.

Liquid is the go-to choice for home cleaners, since it’s more affordable and easier to use. Most liquid cleaners are a pre-mixed solution, but if you want to stretch your dollar you can find concentrated cleaners. With this type of cleaner, you simply add water until you’ve got a mix that works for you.

Whatever type you choose, check the ingredients. It can be tough to know what to look for unless you’re a chemist, but the chemicals glass cleaners use break down into two categories: Surfactants and solvents. Surfactants form a bond with dust particles or other stains and pull them away from the glass. The job of the solvents is to break down those particles and make them easy to wipe away.

Isopropanol and dimethyl carbinol are common ingredients on most household cleaners, along with plain old rubbing alcohol. You can also find ammonia on the ingredient list of old-school cleaners, though it’s less common now for many reasons. Ammonia is a very effective solvent and it also dries quickly, properties that make it perfect for a glass cleaner. On the other hand, you don’t want to use it on any other surface but glass. It absolutely shouldn’t be used as a car window cleaner since it can break down the structure of rubber seals and vinyl and do much worse harm to window tint. It can even break down granite over time, so it’s not a good fit for kitchen countertops.

Luckily, there are plenty of eco-friendly materials that can do the job just as well or better. Ethanol and acetone are fairly safe solvents that you can look for, along with vinegar. And there are a ton of plant-based surfactants that can wipe away the grime for your mirrors and glass without leaving behind a chemical smell.

Even the best glass cleaner can’t do all the work. You’ll need to do the wiping, and proper technique can go a long way. Avoid the temptation to focus on tiny spots and use wide, sweeping strokes. That will give the solution more chance to dry without leaving behind streaks.

Paper towels are always a good bet for glass cleaning, but if you want to conserve the roll you can go with a cloth. Microfiber is best, but standard dish towels will do the job. And believe it or not, old newspapers are also surprisingly good at wiping up glass cleaner. If you’re cleaning off car windows, a good squeegee will clear away the streaks and save you a lot of time.