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This article was co-authored by Melissa Maker. Melissa Maker is a Cleaning Expert based in Toronto, Canada. She has over 18 years of professional experience in the cleaning industry, and has created multiple businesses to educate others about cleaning and provide high-quality cleaning products. She is the founder of CleanMySpace, a YouTube channel and blog with over 2 million subscribers that has been creating cleaning content since 2010. She is also the owner of Maker’s Clean, a product line of premium, professional grade cleaning products that has been in business since 2016. Maker’s Clean sells a signature cleaning cloth design, mops, bath and beauty products, and cleaning guides and tutorials.
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Banish toxic chemicals from your life and make your own window cleaner that will make glass and windows sparkle without those harmful fumes. This recipe calls for ingredients most likely found at home so locate an empty spray bottle and get started.
Steps
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Grab your trusty bottle of white vinegar. If you have been cleaning the “green way” you most likely use white vinegar to clean a variety of items in your home. -
Locate a few fresh lemons or a bottle of lemon juice. Either works just as well but if you use the juice from fresh lemons you can throw the peel into the garbage disposal to clean and freshen the drain--cleaning using the two-for-one method!Advertisement -
Purchase or repurpose an empty spray bottle. If you are repurposing a spray bottle, especially if it contained cleaning chemicals, you will want to wash and rinse it extremely well.- Consider repurposing a spray bottle that contained window cleaner previously. For example, if the bottle used to house furniture polish there is still a chance some of the oil may be left over in the bottle and can diminish the power of your natural window cleaner.
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Find a container to mix your window cleaner. A drinking glass will most likely do the trick or you can try to mix it directly inside the spray bottle.
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Measure 1 tbsp. of white vinegar and 2 tbsp. lemon juice in either the drinking glass or empty (and clean) spray bottle.- Stir or shake the bottle well to fully integrate.
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Pour one cup of hot water into the mixture. The water needs to be hot, but not boiling. -
Stir or mix ingredients again and either pour into a spray bottle or add cap and nozzle.- Be sure you shake or mix well (even shaking the bottle vigorously) to ensure ingredients are well blended.
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Finished.
Expert Q&A
Tips
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Use dry pieces of newspaper instead of paper towels to make windows/glass shine.Thanks
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Add 1 tsp. of fabric softener to your mixture if you are trying to clean hard water or soap stains in the bathroom. For extra stubborn stains, apply the fabric softener directly to the area, allow to set, and then wipe with your solution.Thanks
About This Article
Reader Success Stories
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"The vinegar/lemon juice and hot water really has made light work for me when cleaning my windows. I've always been a great believer in Windolene; in fact, I've used it for about 40 years. But not anymore. Wonderful to make my own cleaner."..." more
