Windows tend to become especially dirty in summer especially if you are constantly opening and closing them, which causes dust to settle on the inside of the glass. It can often be frustrating trying to keep windows clean as the glass tends to smudge, but TJ, a mum and founder of Measuring Flower says there is a simple way to prevent streaks.
TJ said: “I mixed alcohol, water, and cornstarch. Voila! I think I have found my perfect window cleaner. The alcohol disinfects, the cornstarch does something magical to make it streak-free and clear, and the water simply dilutes it.”
Cornstarch is able to break the surface tension of water, which means it helps a window cleaning solution spread onto the glass so it will evaporate more evenly.
It is also a highly absorbent so will absorb any residue leftover from a cleaning solution so there is no chance of any steaks being left behind.
Some people swear that white vinegar to clean windows, but it tends to evaporate very quickly which means it tends to leave lots of visible streaks.
White vinegar can be used if you mix it with cornstarch, but rubbing alcohol tends to work better as it is a strong disinfectant and does not leave any residue.
TJ said: “Some say to just use plain white vinegar. But, when I tried just plain white vinegar (diluted with water, of course), it left streaks on my glass.”
How to make an effective homemade window cleaner
You will need:
- 650ml of cold water
- Two tablespoons of cornstarch
- 300ml of rubbing alcohol (ethyl is best but you can also use isopropyl)
Instructions
Pour all the ingredients into an empty spray bottle. You can buy spray bottles in the gardening section of most supermarkets but they are also be bought in pound shops.
It is also important that the water you use is cold as cornstarch starts to thicken when heated up, which will turn the cleaning solution into a goopy mess that will clog the spray bottle.
Place the cap on the spray bottle and give it a good shake to mix all the ingredients together. Then, all you have to do is spray it onto a window and clean it with a dry cloth.
Your windows will be gleaming and sparkling clean in just 10 minutes. This simple solution can also help clean any other glass surfaces like mirror or shower doors.