Save money with this easy homemade window cleaner recipe that is rated by consumer reports to work much better (and cheaper) than most commercial window sprays.
Homemade Window Cleaner Recipe
1/2 cup ammonia
2 cups rubbing alcohol
water
1 tsp. dishwashing liquid
In a one-gallon container*, mix ammonia and rubbing alcohol. Fill almost to the top with water. Add dishwashing liquid and mix. Top off with water. Rated by Consumer Reports Magazine to work much better (and much cheaper) than most commercial window and kitchen sprays. Alcohol is the secret ingredient – it’s what commercial window washers use.
*Safe on most, but not all, household surfaces.
*You can use a washed out gallon milk carton and fill with a funnel or just half or quarter the recipe to fit in your spray bottle.
Leah Thomsen says
June 1, 2006 at 8:28 pmThe window cleaning recipe is tried and true for me as well.
As for the general cleaning solution, vinegar is acidic and ammonia is alkali. Adding the vinegar will neutralize the ammonia.
I believe a better recipe for a strong all-purpose cleaner comes from “Home Comforts” by Mendelson:
1 Tbsp ammonia
1 Tbsp liquid laundry detergent
1 pint water
OR
1/2 cup washing soda added to 1 gallon water
Gore Vidal says
February 9, 2017 at 8:57 pmI tried this recipe. It’s effective at cleaning, but left really noticeable streaks.
Jill says
February 10, 2017 at 10:16 amIf you used it outside on grimy windows you may need to rinse them first then rub them dry. Also you need to check what kind of rag or cloth you are using because often the cloths will smudge no matter one even microfiber cloths.
Anonymous says
June 2, 2006 at 7:33 pmIn the daycare area (diaper changing area and food prep area) I put plain alcohol into a spray bottle. I spray the area after a diaper change. It dries quickly. It is cheaper than Lysol spray. I have done this for years and I have not had any problems with the alcohol doing damage to the surface of my diaper changing area.
I also spray the food pre/serve area on my daycare. I let it dry. I believe this kills lots of germs that might be on the surface. The alcohol does a great job of keeping my stainless steel sink nice.
Roxie from Texas
Dawn says
March 6, 2012 at 10:40 amThanks for the “recipe”. I can’t wait to try this!
Linda says
September 5, 2012 at 5:05 pmI too make my own window cleaner. here is my sure fire recipe. Works great.
1/2 bottle hydrogen peroxide
1/2 bottle rubbing alcohol
1 teaspoon dawn for dishes
Put this in a gallon jug and fill it the rest of the way up with water to make 1 gal.
Alcohol makes it dry quickly and the peroxide cleans it really well. No streaks.
Jill says
September 5, 2012 at 7:48 pmThis is the same recipe as in Dining on a Dime for those of you who have it to save you coping it. Thanks Linda
Shambala says
October 10, 2013 at 9:11 amJet dry, rubbing alcohol and dish soap make the best window cleaner, especially if you are doing the outside of your windows.Make a big batch, spray it on with a garden hose attachment and rinse.Put some in a spray bottle for mirrors and indoors.
heidi says
February 20, 2014 at 1:41 pmI use just vinegar and water.
Daniela Wimbledon says
January 28, 2015 at 10:23 amThis is just the recipe I use and recommend to clients if they ask. It combines the 3 main features a window cleaning agent must have. But I don’t restrict the use of this homemade cleaner to the windows and mirrors only. I use it as an universal sanitiser, adding just a little vinegar (little, to avoid the scent). Works like a charm.
Jill says
January 28, 2015 at 10:49 amJust a heads up.You really don’t need to add the extra vinegar for sanitizing. First because the rubbing alcohol is a sanitizer and often use it alone in the bathroom instead of going through the trouble of making up any cleaner I use it by itself and does a great job. Second vinegar doesn’t sanitize 100% so just be aware of that when you are using it to clean a bathroom or a kitchen where you have had something like raw chicken. But with this recipe you don’t have to worry about that because the alcohol does kill 100% of the stuff.
Lisa @ Fun Money Mom says
April 4, 2016 at 2:16 pmGreat tip…will definitely have to try this out!
Pam says
March 15, 2017 at 2:50 pmI have used the first recipe above for nearly 40 years. I got it out of Consumer Reports. But now they no longer use the recipe b/c it is not GREEN. But My housekeeper got my recipe 20 years ago and used it and shared it. Then she lost the recipe and tried all kinds of others but they did not work as well. She just got my recipe again. But I could not find it in Consumer Reports
How to Clean Anything book. But I found it again here.
Jill says
March 16, 2017 at 1:53 pmI hate that when I loss a recipe especially an older one that really works so I am so glad we had this for you.
Sammy Dolan says
July 7, 2017 at 3:30 amThanks for this, I just tried it and it works great!
Jan watters says
June 4, 2018 at 8:32 amWhat is the receipe from Consumer Reports to wash Windows?
Jill says
June 5, 2018 at 1:53 pmThe recipe from consumer reports is this one post here on this post
Melissa says
February 25, 2019 at 10:54 amThis is fantastic info. Have you ever heard of using cornstarch or arrowroot powder in your window cleaning solution?? I don’t know about using it in this particular recipe, but I’ve heard it works a treat in some homemade window cleaners. Really appreciate the time you put into providing us all with great, easy solutions and am happy to have found your site. Thanks again for the great information!