How to Use Vinegar to Clean Glass

Housecleaning is difficult enough, but when you add the often joyless chore of washing glass, particularly windows, to the normal routine, it's enough to awaken the procrastinator in most of us. There are numerous commercial products available for cleaning glass items around the house, both large and small, but some can be harmful to you and your family. You can use vinegar as an inexpensive glass cleaner alternative. Vinegar is an effective glass cleaner because it breaks down hard water deposits. Read on to learn how to clean glass around your home using vinegar.

Things You'll Need

• Warm water Spray bottle White vinegar, undiluted Newspaper (black and white) or soft, lint-free cloth

Instructions

Clean Windows With Vinegar

1. Pour 2 quarts of warm water into a spray bottle. Add 1/4 cup of vinegar and shake gently to mix the two liquids. Using warm water helps better soften and loosen the dirt for cleaning.

2. Crumple up a sheet of newspaper, getting it as soft as possible without ripping it too much. This will make it easier to use to clean the glass.

3. Wash the window crosspieces and windowsills before you clean the glass panes. Wipe away the excess water.

4. Spray the diluted vinegar onto the windowpanes. Use the crumpled-up newspaper to clean the glass.

5. Use up and down strokes on one side of the window, and use side to side strokes on the other side of the window. This enables you to see which side needs to be touched up or polished slightly more.

Clean Other Glass Items in Your Home With Vinegar

1. Add vinegar to your dishwasher to rinse your glassware. This is an inexpensive way to help your glassware sparkle. You may substitute lemon juice for the same purpose.

2. Pour undiluted white vinegar into a spray bottle. Spray this onto your shower doors and let it sit for about ten minutes. Rinse it off with warm water. For a stronger formulation, mix equal amounts of vinegar and methylated spirits. This is a great tile cleaner, too.

3. Spray undiluted vinegar on glass that has spots, streaks or stubborn hard water marks.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash the windows out of direct sunlight to minimize streaking and spots.

• Do not spray outside when the wind is blowing toward you. If the vinegar gets into your eyes, it can be very uncomfortable until you are able to fully wash it out.