Here is yet one more way to get your glass cleaned without spending your money on commercial cleaners. I’ve talked about glass cleaners before, but I recently discovered a new technique that creates a glass cleaning solution that is as good or better than anything you can find out on the market.
I do clean my windows with a vinegar solution because it works well, as well as some of the other methods that I have mentioned in the past. But for a glass cleaner that is really strong and acts just like Windex but without the blue coloring, I make up a bottle of my own “commercial cleaner.” I can’t promise that it is as natural or healthy as using vinegar, but it certainly does give you professional cleaning power.
First, find a spray bottle and label it clearly. Just like those commercial cleaners, you don’t want kids getting into this one. You can make enough just for that one spray bottle, or make enough to use as “refills.” The formula is this: 45 percent water, 45 percent rubbing alcohol and 10 percent household ammonia. If you are off a little bit with the percentages, it won’t matter too terribly, so feel free to eyeball the amounts when you mix this solution together.
To use this glass cleaner, just spray and wipe as you normally would. A bonus bit of frugality is coming up. Instead of spending money on paper towels that just wind up in the trash, try using newspaper to wipe your glass. believe it or not, the newsprint does not transfer onto the glass at all. don’t ask me how, except that perhaps the cleaner dissolves it along with the dirt or prevents it from adhering.
One word of warning, you never want to mix any products containing ammonia with any products containing bleach. This goes for both those commercial cleaners and this home made glass cleaner.
Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.
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