How to Clean Windows With Vinegar for a Sparkling Finish

Nothing says clean home more than clear, streak-free windows. It’s easy to purchase one of the many commercial products to clean your windows, but one of the best cleaners is actually a simple homemade solution of distilled white vinegar and water. 

Save yourself some money and learn how to clean your windows with vinegar in the guide below.

What You’ll Need

Before you start cleaning your windows, you’ll want to stock up on these items first:

• Distilled white vinegar
• Water
• Liquid dish soap (optional) 
• Spray bottle
• Microfiber cloths
• Squeegee (optional)
• Bucket (optional)
• Vacuum with the brush attachment 
• Toothbrush

Want more cleaning and organizing tips? Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest hacks, expert advice, and more!

Mix Your Cleaning Solution

Start by mixing one part white distilled vinegar with one part water in a spray bottle. Add 1-2 teaspoons of liquid dish soap for exterior windows that are very dirty to help get off the grime. If you’re cleaning large windows, mix the solution in a bucket. 

Prep Your Windows

Next, remove all the dust and dirt around your windows before cleaning the glass. 

Wipe down any window blinds with a dry microfiber cloth. Clean out the window tracks with a toothbrush (you can also use a vacuum hose) and use a dry microfiber cloth to dust off window frames and ledges. Remove any screens from the windows and vacuum them using the brush attachment. 

Then, wipe down the window frames, ledges, and screens using the vinegar-and-water solution and a cloth. For particularly dirty areas and stains, be sure to add liquid dish soap to the mixture. 

Lastly, dust off the window panes with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. 

Clean the Windows 

Spray the cleaning solution on a clean, lint-free microfiber cloth. Then, use the cloth to wipe down the windows in a zig-zag pattern. Start at the top left corner, move to the top right corner, and then move down diagonally to the left. Continue this pattern down the entire length of the window and spray more cleaning solution on your cloth as needed. 

For larger windows, it may be easier to use a squeegee to cover more surface area faster. Clean the squeegee blade in between uses.  

Repeat the cleaning process as many times as needed until the window is sparkling clean. After the entire window has been wiped down with a cloth or squeegee, buff out any remaining marks or streaks with a dry microfiber cloth.  

Reassemble Windows as Needed

If you removed any screens during the cleaning process, place them back inside the window frames. Restore window blinds or curtains to your desired position. Then, enjoy your crystal-clear windows! 

How Often to Clean Your Windows

This largely depends on your personal preference, but the general rule is to clean exterior windows one to two times a year, usually during the spring and the fall when the weather is milder.

If you live in an area with high levels of pollution or pollen, you may need to clean your exterior windows more frequently. 

Clean your interior windows at least one to two times a month, but you can clean them more often if you prefer. You don’t need to deep clean your window tracks and screens every single time—once a month should be plenty.

Just make sure to dust off the window frame, ledge, track, and glass every time before cleaning the glass with your vinegar-and-water solution.  

Tips to Keep Your Windows Clean Longer

• Use microfiber cloths or a squeegee to clean windows instead of paper towels since paper towels can carry lint and leave streaks on the glass.
• Wipe windows from top to bottom so the cleaning solution doesn’t streak or drip onto clean areas.
• Don’t forget to dust and clean around your windows first, including in the window tracks, so the dirt doesn’t find its way to the window panes. 
• Clean your windows on a cloudy day. Sunlight can dry the cleaning solution before you have a chance to wipe it down, causing streaks. 
• Try a magnetic window cleaner or mop to reach high areas of exterior windows.
• Keep your yard and outdoor space tidy, such as trimming trees and bagging cut grass, to keep debris from accumulating on your exterior windows.