I’ve tried every glass cleaner under the sun it seems like, just searching for a product that really cleans my windows and mirrors and leaves no streaks or residue behind.
Kate is my new assistant (she is helping me with Domino and book projects mostly) and before this she worked for Anthropologie. She recently taught me this little trick she learned there for cleaning glass, and it’s just too good not to share:
Step 1: Have dirty windows. :)
Step 2: Grab any glass cleaner and a piece of regular old kraft paper (although white works a little better than the brown we’ve learned).
Step 3: Spray your glass and the folded up kraft paper with the cleaner.
Step 4: Wipe away the liquid (and the dirt and grime with it) and be amazed at how unbelievably streak and fuzz-free your windows are now! Replace the kraft paper as needed (though one piece will clean a lot of glass).
Step 5: Enjoy your squeaky clean windows!
I don’t know what it is about the kraft paper that works so, so differently than paper towels or even my favorite microfiber towels, but somehow the kraft paper removes every speck of anything on the glass. It’s magic.
Thanks for the tip, Kate (and Anthro)!
Newspaper works great too! ;)
I second newspaper. I also use vinegar diluted in water. Far cheaper and more eco friendly. My cleaner in Africa wasvery puzzled when I explained to her how I wanted the windows cleaned:-)
Grew up working at my grandfather's hotel and we always used vinegar and old newspaper for cleaning windows. Having been trying for years to convince my cleaners to stop with the windex and paper towels…
The paper and spray solution works okay in between cleanings, but to get windows really sparkling clean you need a window brush, a squeegee, microfiber towels and a good cleanig solution. I wash my windows every 2 months, and use spray way to touch up. Sparkling windows are one of life's luxuries.
I have also used coffee filters in the past! This makes me want to go home right now and clean my windows.
gosh your office is to die for… aren't you so happy with what you are doing to this previously "different" space. Looking back on it the reason to purchase the house is entirely related to the windows! great post.. will try it today.
Newspaper or coffee filters work amazingly!
I so have to try this. I hate using newspaper. I don't think it works well at all and also leaves my hands really dirty with ink if I don't use gloves.
I used to use paper and cleaner but I've since switched to Prell. Yep the cheap shampoo. It's great for glass.
I bought this special mitt years ago for glass and I still use it. Just water and the mitt. Wet one side and wash, use dry side to buff. So fast and so clean. I wish I could find another because it is on it's last legs!
Interesting. I use Norwex polishing cloth with water and think it's remarkable. I love not having any cleaner around too.
NORWEX POLISHING CLOTH. YES JANE. I have one and it's miraculous with just water how clean and sparkling they get. Plus I feel like they stay more clean longer because there isn't any cleaner residue for things to stick to.
Window cleaning tips always amaze me – usually too weird and time consuming. Hot water and a proper polishing cloth is all I've ever needed.
By craft paper, do you mean kids construction paper?
Norwex Polishing cloth…YES! No chemicals!
As others have said, you can't beat newspaper/newsprint for cleaning windows. It's probably similar to kraft paper.
What is craft paper? Construction paper?
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Hi!
My name is Michelle and I blog over at http://www.tinytipsbymichelle.com
I am nominating you for a blogging award because I enjoy your blog very much.
If you accept the nomination, then head on over to my blog and there are a few question I have for you to answer :)
Keep up the good work!
I'm laughing because the fingernail polish goes perfectly with the couches you see through the windows!
My step-monster was good for one thing: cleaning tips. She always cleaned the windows with newspaper for these same reasons!
My step-monster was good for one thing: cleaning tips. She always cleaned the windows with newspaper for these same reasons!
My step-monster was good for one thing: cleaning tips. She always cleaned the windows with newspaper for these same reasons!
In high school I worked at a small golf course owned by a 100-year-old woman and her 70-something daughter. The only way to wash windows in their opinion was with newspaper. It made an awful mess of my hands but those windows shined.
As everyone is mentioning – newspaper is fantastic! I use it for mirrors too! I had no idea until my boyfriend and I started living together, but thank goodness for his quick tips!
xo
Christa
I don't see it mentioned here…but NEWSPRINT works much better than newspapers. Newsprint is the paper before it gets ink all over! Most news printing offices have leftover rolls that they will sell for a dollar or two.
Windex actually leaves a pretty nasty residue on your windows that will build up over time (especially visible on mirrors). The best glass cleaner is the DIY kind, usually vinegar based.
Try Norwex rags!! Only water, no chemicals! Best cleaning products out there!
Thanks for the tip! I use a water/white vinegar/essential oil mix and don't have any streaks but I do have lingering fuzz. I am definitely going to start using craft paper now that I learned a trick!
2/3 c glass cleaner, 1/3 c white vinegar, and 2 tbsp lemon juice (the yucky bottled kind) does an amazing job, also. Like crazy good.
Newspaper works equally as good too!
We recently moved and I kept two large bags stuffed with our old packing paper. My husband thinks I'm crazy but it works so well! It's basically newspaper without the print already cut into easy to use sheets. When I run out I'll go back to using my stack of microfiber cloths but until then I'm loving my stash.
I'm a newspaper window cleaner addict, but my fingers are always black when I'm finished! This is a great alternative too.
NORWEX polishing cloth for sure! It is the ONLY norwex product that I would buy again and recommend without a doubt! It is amazing. Water and the cloth- no streaks!
Newspaper is even better!
Thanks for the tip! I use a water/white vinegar/essential oil mix and don't have any streaks but I do have lingering fuzz. I am definitely going to start using craft paper now that I learned a trick!Bong da
Newspaper only for me, for windows and mirrors, even the chrome faucets.
Thanks for the tip. I was using newspaper and window cleaner… but I'll try this too.
Thanks for the tip! I use a water/white vinegar/essential oil mix and don't have any streaks but I do have lingering fuzz. I am definitely going to start using craft paper now that I learned a trick!Bong da anh
Thank you for the tip! I have tried so many things and always have linting windows. I will try this immediately.
Using paper to clean windows is not the best idea ever, I learnd. Because of the consistence of the paper it could cause little micro scratches on the glass.
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Another vote for the Norwex cloths. Even my husband enjoys washing windows (and polishing just about anything he can get his hands on) with the polish cloth. Just an enviro cloth and water followed by the polish cloth and it's like magic!