Get a streak free clean with this DIY window and mirror cleaner recipe. It has arrowroot powder as a secret ingredient.
I've been using natural cleaners for over 15 years now. When my oldest was a baby, I was concerned about using chemicals around him. My husband has asthma, so making the switch to natural cleaners helped him, too.
For several years, I just used vinegar water to clean my windows. It worked in that it got them clean, but it also left them streaked.
I don't like seeing the sun shine in through streaks, so I set out to come up with another recipe that would clean naturally without leaving any streaks.
Through trial and error, I found the secret. Arrowroot powder.
I know it sounds crazy, but it really does help!
DIY HOMEMADE WINDOW AND MIRROR CLEANER WITH ARROWROOT POWDER
DISTILLED WATER
I use distilled water for my DIY cleaning products (like my all purpose cleaner and dusting spray) because I have well water. Even with a filter and water softener, I'm worried about minerals.
There's no sense in cleaning if I'm just leaving behind hard water deposits that will make my windows and mirrors look dirty, right?
RUBBING ALCOHOL
Rubbing alcohol
The rubbing alcohol is what makes this a streak free cleaner, even though you add more ingredients.
WHITE VINEGAR
White vinegar is a versatile cleaner. I use it for everything from my floors to my counters. It cuts through grease and fingerprints, which are oils from our skin and some dirt, but it doesn't cut through sticky stuff.
If you use just vinegar to clean your windows, you'll have streaks. By mixing the quick drying alcohol with the vinegar, you get the best of both worlds for a streak free clean.
You can also make a homemade pine needle vinegar to use instead.
ARROWROOT POWDER
Most DIY homemade window and mirror cleaner recipes have cornstarch in them. I don't use cornstarch in my cooking or DIY beauty recipes because most cornstarch is made with GMO ingredients.
I use arrowroot powder
I'm not really sure why anyone uses cornstarch or arrowroot powder in their homemade glass cleaner. I think it's a mild abrasive that doesn't leave a film behind like baking soda does.
I've made this recipe with and without arrowroot powder, and it really does make a difference.
If you have cornstarch, you can certainly use that instead of the arrowroot powder.
One thing to note is that this glass cleaner recipe is made to really wipe the windows. If you do a quick once over with a rag, there might be arrowroot powder residue. It will wipe off after it dries.
For best results, you'll want to wash your windows in a circular motion when you clean. Keep cleaning each area until the arrowroot powder has time to dissolve.
LEMON ESSENTIAL OIL
I used lemon essential oil
Lemon essential oil is also a natural degreaser. I think it helps cut fingerprints from the kids and nose prints from the critters.
You can also use peppermint essential oil. It's said to repel spiders and bugs. It has an invigorating scent, which you may need as you're cleaning.
READ Best Essential Oils for Cleaning
SPRAY BOTTLE
I was using plastic bottles for my DIY cleaning recipes, but I bought some glass bottles a few months ago. Essential oils can break down plastic, so I sprung for the glass ones.
I found a three pack of glass bottles on Amazon. I chose this set because there is a blue bottle, an amber bottle, and a clear bottle.
One side of the bottle has measurement lines in ounces and mL for easy mixing in the bottle. Each bottle has a screw top lid, a spray nozzle, and a pump. So I can use these to store things, for cleaners, and for hand soap.
They are 16 ounces. This glass cleaner recipe only fills it a little over half way, but I do make 16 ounces of my all purpose cleaner at a time.
LABELS
My bottles came with labels, but I made my own. I bought a set of Kraft paper looking files from Etsy. Then I resized a few designs and arranged them and printed on sticker paper. (I buy the half sheets of sticker paper because I use them for shipping labels.)
My labels aren't waterproof though because I have an inkjet printer. You can cover them with clear packing tape if you want them to be waterproof.
You can also use chalk labels. These kraft labels are really cute, too.
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup distilled water
- 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder
- 20 drops lemon essential oil
DIRECTIONS
STEP #1
Combine the distilled water, rubbing alcohol, white vinegar, and arrowroot powder in a glass spray bottle. I used a funnel.
I added the water first and then the arrowroot powder. I used the rubbing alcohol and vinegar to get the rest of the arrowroot powder out of my funnel.
STEP #2
Add the lemon essential oil. Put the cap on and shake well.
See how easy it is to make your own DIY homemade window and glass cleaner with arrowroot powder? This recipe will save you money and help you live without using chemicals.
WINDOW CLEANING TIPS AND NOTES
The best thing I've found to clean windows is black and white newspaper. I grew up using newspapers, so I was so surprised when I found out that not everyone knew about this.
It's free, it's reusing something, and there's no lint left behind. And, no, it doesn't leave newsprint behind.
If you don't use newspapers, use a lint free microfiber cloth
Don't use this diy homemade window cleaner on stone or other surfaces that can't be cleaned with vinegar. Vinegar is an acid, so it can scratch some surfaces.
I don't use this on my TV. It could work okay, but I use electronic wipes
You want to clean your windows on a cloudy day or in the morning or evening on a sunny day. The sun can dry the window cleaner too quickly, and your windows won't be clean.
MORE DIY NATURAL CLEANING RECIPES:
Window and Mirror Cleaner With Arrowroot Powder
materials:
- 1/2 cup distilled vinegar
- 1/2 cuprubbing alcohol
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder
- 20 drops lemon essential oil
tools:
- Funnel
- Spray bottle
steps:
- Combine the distilled water, rubbing alcohol, white vinegar, and arrowroot powder in a glass spray bottle.
- Add the lemon essential oil. Put the cap on and shake well.
NOTES:
Don't use this diy homemade window cleaner on stone or other surfaces that can't be cleaned with vinegar. Vinegar is an acid, so it can scratch some surfaces. The arrowroot powder can leave streaks if you don't scrub well. Use a microfiber cloth to move in circles to really get the glass cleaned and prevent streaks.
Did you make this project?
