This all natural, non-toxic homemade glass cleaner contains two unexpected ingredients that clean amazingly well. The surprising ingredients: vodka and cornstarch!
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Plain white vinegar is my go-to cleaner for windows, mirrors and other household glass surfaces . However vinegar was no match for sticky-fingered kids and a German Shepherd who loves to slobber on glass doors.
I decided to try making my own non-toxic homemade glass cleaner and stumbled on this glass cleaner experiment by Crunchy Betty that looked promising.
Strange Ingredients = Great Homemade Glass Cleaner
Corn starch in glass cleaner… sounds strange, doesn’t it? I decided to give the recipe a try, but to make the cleaner even more natural by substituting vodka for rubbing alcohol.
- Vodka can be used as a substitute for rubbing alcohol because it contains ethanol and water
- Rubbing alcohol is mostly isopropyl alcohol with water and additives (aka unknown chemicals). I prefer using vodka due to concerns about using unknown chemicals in my home.
Vodka vs. Rubbing Alcohol
I made two batches of window cleaner, one using rubbing alcohol and one using vodka. Both cleaned glass well; however the rubbing alcohol mix left the smell of yucky rubbing alcohol in the house. The vodka cleaner was virtually odorless.
The verdict: vodka is my new favorite glass and window cleaning ingredient! I have spotless windows and mirrors with no funky odors floating about the house.
I dubbed the cleaner “It’s 5 O’clock Somewhere Homemade Glass Cleaner” because of the vodka in the recipe.
Homemade Glass Cleaner Directions
Combine in a spray bottle:
- ¼ c. vodka (use a cheap, bottom shelf brand)
- ¼ c. white vinegar
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
- 2 c. of hot water
Shake well.
*Learn to make my upcycled glass spray bottle for cleaning here.
Glass Cleaning Tips
Spray windows generously and wipe clean with a cotton rag or paper towel.
For lint free windows finish with one last wipe using a paper coffee filter or sheet of newspaper (sounds odd, but it works).
Store leftover cleaner in a cool dark place (like under the sink), shake to combine before each use.
Cost Comparison
It’s cheap!
- $0.26 an ounce for the vodka (buy cheap vodka, about $9 a liter )
- $0.18 an ounce for the vinegar
- $0.05 for the cornstarch.
Total cost = $0.93 for 21 ounces or $0.04 an ounce.
The cheapest commercial natural glass cleaner available is $4.00 for 32 ounces or $0.12 an ounce.
Free Label
Download a free label for your glass cleaner in the free printable library. Printed on full sheet label paper then peel and stick.
More Vodka Cleaners
I love using vodka to naturally clean and deodorize my home. It also a great natural disinfectant. These easy all-natural DIYs all use vodka to clean your home without dangerous chemicals!
- Non-Toxic Spray Starch (3 easy recipes)
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Katherine
Unfortunately, this recipe did not work at all for me.
I made exactly as written and could not get any of my glass table tops or mirrors clean. 3 tries later, I gave up. It left smudges on everything!
Any ideas how to improve this formula?
Bren
Try leaving out the cornstarch and see how you like the formula.
kn
Do you find that the cornstarch clogs your sprayer nozzle?
Bren
I have not had that problem unless the mixture sits around for months and months! If it does clog it can be rinsed out with cold water.
Dorothy Ross
The cornstarch prevents the glass cleaner from leaving streaks. However, I found that using a whole tablespoon of cornstarch also leaves a streaky residue. A pinch of cornstarch in a bottle of glass cleaner worked perfectly!
Jackie
I am definitely going to try this window cleaner.
Have you ever tried using milk to glue your labels on your glass bottles? It is really simple, just brush a light coating of milk on the back side of a paper label & stick it on your bottle or jar. That is it. The labels come off cleanly when you wash the bottle/jar in hot soapy water.
My pet peeve with printed labels is the ink does tend to run with an ink jet printer if the label gets wet, but an alternative would just be to use a permanent marker.
Sethu
2 questions:
01. What is the purpose of corn starch in this?
02. Would this remove mineral or soap deposits on the mirror/glass?
Bren
Sethu, the cornstarch gives the mixture some grit. I think it helps get the glass/mirror extra clean. Yes, since it contains vinegar it will help with hard water deposits. If you have lots or hard water marks I would clean with pure vinegar first. It is the ingredient that breaks down the hard water stains.
Cason Rogers
Your math is not right for the cost of the home made version: $0.93 for 21oz is less than $0.05 (0.044) per oz. So it’s an even better deal!
Bren
Cason, thanks for the heads up, my math skills were obviously off by the end of the post! 🙂 I made the correction!
Yvonne Adams
I was wondering if you could add essential oils to your mixtures? I would like to go all natural on a number of products. Thank you.
Bren
Yes, you can add EO to the mixtures. I would not recommend it in the glass cleaner as it may leave streaks.