From the beginning of my low-waste, green cleaning journey, I have been interested in replacing my products with simple, homemade alternatives. This recipe is by far the easiest one I have made, and easily competes with Windex and other glass-shining formulations! It’s extremely simple to create. You can also customize its scent using a simple acetum (vinegar infusion). While white vinegar tends to have a strong scent, infusing it helps cut down on its potency, and it generally fades quickly after spraying anyway! Use sparingly on surfaces prone to degradation when in contact with any of these ingredients (read more about surface safety and eco friendly cleaning here)! Let me know how you like this blend, and if you have any other favourite DIYs for cleaning your home!
What you’ll need:
- Glass spray bottles. I originally purchased a few packs of glass spray bottles from Amazon, but they leaked for me! After reading the reviews on this listing for amber spray bottles, I think I’ll switch to these once mine officially die. Another option that comes in both amber glass and clear glass can be found here, and they also have great reviews! Both of those options consist of two 16 oz. bottles, which last quite a while even with frequent use.
- 1 part white vinegar. You can infuse your vinegar with orange, lemon, or lime rinds for a boost of citrusy freshness, or try out some pine needles, eucalyptus, or other fragrant herbs. You can even make a few test batches to see which ones come out the best after a month of infusing, and mix a few to get a blend! Make sure to remove all fruit from the rinds, or use dry ingredients. Strain well before combining with the other ingredients!
- 1 part distilled water
- 2 parts isopropyl alcohol. I used 99.9% alcohol from Belle Chemical on Amazon! This percentage isn’t necessary for cleaning your windows, this is just what I had on hand for using in other cleaning products I make! I’d aim for at least 70% to keep the spray fresh and pathogen-free, but a higher percentage isn’t going to mess up anything!
All you need to do to make the best window and mirror spray is mix these ingredients together, spray, and wipe! I love this mix of ingredients and how easy it is to create! I tested a few variations of this recipe from the first time I made it, and this is my favourite ratio. I hope it helps you keep your mirrors and windows gleaming!
I will note that a lot of people use microfiber cloths to wipe mirrors and windows, but if you’re trying to limit your impact on the environment, I’d opt for something like flannel or terry cloth instead. Microfiber cloths release microplastics into the sewer system when washed, unfortunately leading to further plastic pollution. You can use old towels cut into strips to wipe down mirrors and windows quite effectively, or buy a set like this to use!
