How to Clean Glass Without Streaks

No matter how much time you spend spraying and scrubbing your windows, you may end up with streaks ruining their appearance. Streaks happen for several reasons, but are mainly due to soapy cleaners that don’t evaporate at a consistent rate. Mirrors and windows are treatable with a decent glass cleaner. Use a specialty cleaner instead for your car’s windows and windshield. Your scrubbing technique also matters, so take time to wipe the glass in a zigzag pattern from top to bottom. When done correctly, you end up with a clear view instead of a bunch of ugly streaks on the glass.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Treating Household Glass

1
Select a quality indoor cleaner with ammonia for the glass. There are plenty of glass cleaners available, but some of them are better at preventing streaks than others. If you’re planning on using a commercial product, try an ammonia-based cleaner. Ammonia evaporates quickly, so it doesn’t leave streaks. Many inexpensive cleaners have tons of soap and should be avoided.^{[1]XResearch source}
- If you are unable to find ammonia-based glass cleaners, look for ones with isopropyl alcohol instead. Isopropyl alcohol doesn’t have a harsh smell like ammonia does.
- Both ammonia and isopropyl alcohol are considered environmentally-friendly when they have been diluted in water, like with glass cleaners.
2
Mix together equal parts water and vinegar for an all-natural alternative. You can easily make an effective, environmentally-friendly cleaner from a few household ingredients.^{[2]XExpert SourceBen Barlow
Window Cleaning SpecialistExpert Interview. 23 July 2021.} One example is to mix equal amounts of water and white vinegar. You could also replace some or all of the vinegar with other ingredients, like isopropyl alcohol or lemon juice.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Vinegar actually helps break down hard water stains on your glass.^{[4]XExpert SourceBen Barlow
  Window Cleaning SpecialistExpert Interview. 23 July 2021.}
- If you don’t have vinegar, substitute in an equal amount of isopropyl alcohol or lemon juice instead. If you choose to mix them with vinegar, try combining them in equal amounts.^{[5]XResearch source}
- For instance, combine about 1 cup (240 mL) of water with 1 cup (240 mL) of isopropyl alcohol and 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of white vinegar. This will make a quick-drying cleaner that doesn’t leave streaks.
- Plain water isn’t enough to clean glass without leaving streaks. Mixing in soap doesn’t solve the problem, either.
- Try using toilet bowl cleaner to treat calcium stains.^{[6]XExpert SourceBen Barlow
  Window Cleaning SpecialistExpert Interview. 23 July 2021.}
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3
Spray the glass very lightly with a cleaning solution. Most commercial glass cleaners come in spray bottles, so, if you made your own cleaner, load it into a spray bottle. Mist the surface of the glass in a consistent coating of the cleaner. Start at the top and move across the glass in a zigzag pattern until you reach the bottom.^{[7]XResearch source}
- If you use too much of the cleaner, you will notice it dripping. To avoid streaks, apply cleaning products sparingly. You can always use more later if it is necessary.
4
Scrub the glass from side to side using a microfiber cloth. Start in one corner and work toward the opposite one. When you reach the edge of the glass, move the cloth down a little bit and work back the other way. Continue doing this until you reach the bottom to leave the glass clean and streak-free.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Paper towels are one of the biggest culprits of streaks. They also tend to leave lint behind, making them inefficient for glass cleaning.
- If you’re looking for an alternative to a cloth, try using a squeegee. It is a handheld rubber blade made for directing liquid in a way that prevents it from streaking.
5
Buff any remaining stains with a dry microfiber cloth. Step back to take a look at the glass. You may notice a few spots that don’t look clean. Get a clean cloth and scrub in a circle. Treat each spot one at a time to remove then. Then, take a step back again to admire the clean, streak-free glass.^{[9]XResearch source}
- The remaining glass cleaner used will dry on its own. If you wish to, you can wipe it off with a microfiber cloth, but it isn’t necessary.
- If the glass still looks dirty, spray it with more of the cleaning solution and wipe it down again. You may notice improvements after doing this a couple of times.
6
Eliminate small stains by treating them individually with isopropyl alcohol. Dampen a cotton ball in a little bit of the isopropyl alcohol, then use it to scrub the stains. It’s good for treating problems like toothpaste, hair gel, and sticky residue. However, isopropyl dries quickly, so make sure you add enough to the cotton ball. Continue dampening it and scrubbing the stain until you are able to lift it from the glass.^{[10]XResearch source}
- For ease of use, get a cotton pad. Cotton pads are often used in skincare, so most retailers with a personal care section stock them. They are a little easier to use for scrubbing than cotton balls.
- You may need to wash the entire glass with a commercial or homemade glass cleaner afterward to make it look consistent.
- Alcohol also helps keep your glass streak-free.^{[11]XExpert SourceBen Barlow
  Window Cleaning SpecialistExpert Interview. 23 July 2021.}
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Clearing Glass in Your Car

1
Select a car glass cleaning product that doesn’t contain ammonia. Car glass is different from the glass in your home. Ammonia-based cleaners will leave streaks and may even stain your vehicle. For this reason, use glass cleaners specifically meant for cars. Read the instructions on the bottle to decide if the cleaner is safe for your vehicle.^{[12]XResearch source}
- Shop for cleaners in the car care aisle at your local general store. Another option is to visit an auto parts store or purchase products online.
2
Combine water, isopropyl alcohol, and vinegar to make your own cleaner. Car glass products can be expensive, so save some money by mixing a couple of environmentally-friendly household ingredients together. For a basic cleaner, mix equal amounts of water and isopropyl alcohol. Add some white vinegar for a little extra power. You can change the ingredients or mix them in different amounts if you wish.^{[13]XResearch source}
- For example, try mixing about 1 cup (240 mL) of water, 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of white vinegar, and 1 cup (240 mL) of isopropyl alcohol for a cleaner that is effective on all sorts of debris.
- Another option is to make a cleaner consisting of 70% water, 15% isopropyl alcohol, and 15% of a glass window cleaner. The window cleaner doesn’t have to be specifically for cars since diluting it makes it safer.
3
Spray the cleaner onto exterior glass with a misting bottle. Pour the custom mixture, if you made one, into the bottle. If you’re using a store-bought product, it most likely will come in a spray bottle. Starting at the top, cover the glass in a light coating of the cleaner. Work from side to side and top to bottom to avoid streaks.^{[14]XResearch source}
- Don’t use too much of the cleaning solution or else you will likely end up with streaks. Spray a gentle amount so it doesn’t drip down the glass.
4
Wipe the glass clean with a microfiber cloth. Work from top to bottom first. After clearing the entire glass this way, go over it a second time, this time moving from side to side. When you come across dirt or stubborn debris, apply a little pressure while scrubbing it. The glass should look clean and streak-free when you’re done.^{[15]XResearch source}
- You may need to clean the glass a couple of times to clear it. Switch the cloth out for a clean one as it dirties and apply more of the cleaner as needed.
- Another option is to use a squeegee. Squeegees are great for reaching across windshields and often have sponges to absorb excess moisture.
Make sure you’re using a clean, dry microfiber cloth. Wipe each window dry, switching to a new cloth as the old one becomes saturated. Go from top to bottom first, then pass over a second time from side to side. When you’re done, you won’t have any trouble looking through the glass while you’re behind the wheel.
6
Wipe the interior glass with a dry cloth and no cleaner. Remove as much debris as possible from the glass before attempting to clean it. The glass has a thin, protective film that could be damaged if you aren’t cautious with it. Scrub it clean from top to bottom to eliminate visible dirt and dust.^{[16]XResearch source}
- Make sure you’re using a clean cloth, not one you used on the exterior glass. Keep a couple of extra towels handy in order to tackle the rest of your vehicle efficiently.
7
Degrease the glass with a cloth dampened in isopropyl alcohol. Apply the isopropyl alcohol to a clean microfiber cloth instead of the glass. Make sure the rag isn’t dripping at all before using it. Then, go back over the entire glass, wiping it from top to bottom. This will remove any tough debris, including issues like oil from fingerprints.^{[17]XResearch source}
- Isopropyl alcohol can also be used on exterior windows and windshields for spot treatment. Since it dries so quickly, it isn’t likely to leave streaks behind.
8
Spray cleaner onto a cloth if you’re cleaning interior glass surfaces. The interior side of the glass is a little tricky because of the corners. If you apply too much moisture, it could pool in the window corners and become difficult to remove. Avoid this by dampening a clean cloth and making sure it isn’t dripping. Then, wipe the glass top to bottom and side to side. Dry it off the same way when you’re done.^{[18]XResearch source}
- After cleaning and drying door windows, lower them by about 1 in (2.5 cm) to finish cleaning off the top section. This part isn’t visible unless you lower the windows, so it’s easy to miss.
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Tips

Newspapers are great for absorbing water off of glass if you don’t have clean towels. Most newspapers use a water-safe ink that doesn’t run, but you can test this by getting newspaper wet and rubbing it on a test surface like scrap paper.
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For the best result, clean glass when the sun isn’t shining directly on it. Sunshine can cause the cleaner to evaporate before you have finished wiping down the glass.
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Be aware of your surroundings when cleaning. Windows, for example, may have wood trim that could be damaged by the cleaner you use, so don’t let the cleaner drip onto it.
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