How to Clean Your Glass and Windows for Less CashUse this search feature to quickly find the information you’re looking for. Clean Your Glass and Windows for Less Cash. Squeaky-clean surfaces: it's an ongoing dilemma for those in search of clear perfection. Store-bought formula or home-mixed variety? 
Much like the paper-or-plastic debate, the best strategy for buffing clean the dozens of windows and glass surfaces in your home isn't crystal clear. Some neatniks prefer the squeegee, wiping clean their usually secret formula with a cotton cloth. Others swear by the big brand-name guns - wiped clean with paper towels. Still others prefer home-mixed brews using combinations of vinegar, lemon, ammonia and dishwashing liquid, polished to perfection with balled-up newspapers. So which is best? The clear winner - if you want clean cheaper, that is - is a creative mix of the above: a homemade cleaner, a squeegee and cloth rag; polished to perfection with a piece of newspaper. It's inexpensive, effective and, best of all, our extra-sparkle recipe takes just moments per surface. Of course, there's the right way to clean this surface (or anything for that matter), and then there's the easy way. After all, who always has time to do the full cleaning routine? Here's a look at each. Deep CleaningTo do this dirty job right, start by vacuuming (with a brush and crevice attachment, please) inside panes and sills. After all, what's the use of making your windows sparkle if they reflect the crud below?Next, pick your potion. If you're devoted labels, it's time to read the writing on the windows: This is one expense you can cut without sacrificing performance. Home-brew recipes often perform as well or better than their brand-name counterparts in major studies. (In fact, even plain tap water equaled or bested many store-bought brands in testing.) For a fraction of the cost. Here's a lemon-cleaner recipe for lightly soiled windows and glass: Mix 4 tablespoons of lemon juice in a gallon of water. This blend works especially well for those greasy kid prints. Or, try the equally effective vinegar variety: 1/4 cup vinegar in 3 cups warm water. It's terrific for quick and thorough cleaning of medium soils. For serious grime, try an extra-strength ammonia formula: 1/2 cup ammonia, 1 pint rubbing alcohol and 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid. Add enough warm water to make a gallon. Whichever recipe you use, the next step is the same. Mix in a generous-size (gallon or larger) spray bottle, then lightly mist a clean, lint-free rag. Don't tackle this chore on a sunny day, please - this will increase your work by increasing the streaks. Rub the solution across the pane, starting at the top and working your way down. The goal is to loosen surface dirt so you can whisk it away. Be sure to wipe the sills of any drips. Starting from the top, pull the squeegee blade down, wiping on a second dry, clean cloth. Work you way across the pane, slightly overlapping each stroke. Finish with a triumphant single stroke across the bottom. For extra sparkle, polish the surface when it's nearly dry with a piece of newspaper. Rush JobNow that you can do it right - here's how to do it fast: Put a capful of ammonia or a quick squirt of hand dishwashing detergent into your spray bottle. Add warm water. Mist surface and buff dry with a balled-up newspaper.To keep your windows sparkling between cleanings, use a cloth or paper towel dampened with your glass cleaner of choice to buff away surface smudges and fingerprints. Restoring the Sparkle to Silver If you find this website useful, please consider helping with its production with a donation of $10. To say 'thank you' for your generosity, we will give you the info packed e-book for parents considering a family pet – and those who already have one – “Taming the Family Zoo”. Your e-book link will be sent to you with your donation receipt.
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