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. Print 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.
Patti
I just mixed the vodka and water and it worked perfectly got. Thank you.
MIke Green
Vinegar and Ethanol will when mixed gradual mix to form acetate at worst this can leave sticky plastic like “smudges” over things. However if you want to get CSI fingerprints increase the balance and away you go!
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.
Sky
I know, this is an old post/question, but I figured it’s still relevant. I add a few drops of Sal’s suds and 15 drops essential oils to my 16 oz mixture. It emulsifies perfectly. The fragrance is very light and pleasant. And I have no residue.
Bren
Thanks, Sky!
Country Jersey Girl
Can you use the flavored vodka like Green Apple Vodka to make it?
Bren
I’ve never tried using flavored vodka, it might work or it might leave a residue. Let me know if you try!
Alli
THIS WORKS SO WELL!!! I have used Method for a while after reluctantly giving up Windex (after seeing my toddler lick the windows…). Method never really worked as well as Windex. But this stuff… WOW. My windows and mirrors look amazing and being able to add my own choice of EO for a light scent is even better. My kids are old enough now that they don’t lick windows anymore, but I still love how harmless the ingredients are. Not too mention how much less packaging is involved! Yay for less plastic AND streak- free windows!
Bren
Woo hoo! I’m so glad it works well for you, Alli! Also BTW… I love the mental image of your toddler licking the window, something mine would have done too! 🙂
Archana Sharma
Now i can drink vodka and clean the windows at same
I love this article
Bren
Hee, hee! Thanks, Archana!
Melissa Dean
I’m so glad I found your site because I was so tired of finding people posting recipes with vinegar and baking soda in everything ….. but I’m just curious….why cornstarch? I’ve never seen it in a DIY cleaning recipe before and i’m wondering what purpose it serves?!?
Bren
Melissa, I’m so glad you found my site! Yes, the vinegar/baking soda combo is one of my pet peeves. I got the cornstarch idea from this battle of the glass cleaners post from Crunchy Betty (love her!). I have no scientific proof as to why it works so well but I think the corn starch gives the glass cleaner a little extra umph or grit for tough residue such as hair spray or sticky finger prints. Hope this helps!
Saysouda Phrachak
Wow, I just found your website through Pinterest. I love all your homemade cleaner recipes and the room refreshner.
Bren
Thank you!
Sheila
Hi Bren,
Does the corn starch clog up the spray nozzle. I am about to try the window cleaner. I’ve just started using your Cleaners, & I’m really liking your combinations.
Thanks so much.
Sheila
Bren
I’m glad you’re enjoying the cleaners, Sheila. I’ve never had a problem with it clogging the nozzle. Good luck!
numnee
What proof vodka do you recommend?
Bren
I use 80-100 proof, whatever is cheap!
Kristen
Your posts have been a great resource as I prep to teach a non-toxic cleaning class! Have you tested the pros & cons of witch hazel vs. vinegar vs. vodka in the glass & surface cleaner recipes? I’d like to offer options, but would like to do so with a “why” for each one. Thanks again!
Kristen
And – like you – I had that same convo with the liquor store guy. “Hi, I need the biggest bottle of cheap vodka you have.” He goes “ah, you’re one of those {making quotes with this fingers} DIY’ers, huh. Yeahhhh…..mmmmmm hmmmmm….” 🙂
Bren
Hee hee! Too funny!
Bren
Thanks Kristen. I stick to vodka or vinegar for green cleaning. Rubbing alcohol has additives that make rate worse than vodka. Witch hazel is a natural hydrosol made from the witch hazel plant, water and alcohol. It has anti-inflammatory properties that make it great for use on skin, however I am not convinced that it is any better than just alcohol (vodka) and water when cleaning. When using vodka vs vinegar as a surface cleaner you need to be aware of the surface. Vinegar can damage some natural/stone surfaces. Vodka tends to be more gentle on granite, etc. Hope this helps!
Hope this helps!
jamie
Hi Bren,
I noticed you have used vodka as your antiseptic. I have used witch hazel in my all purpose cleaner for some time now and it does an amazing job on my windows as well. It also cuts some of the vinegar smell. ( super cheap) Also, I just love all your products! My friends and I are thinking about having a spring clean party and make lots of your products!! Thanks again, great blog! Jamie
Bren
Thanks for the tip, Jamie! I will have to give it a try. Your spring cleaning party sounds like a great idea. Let me know how it goes!
Michelle Bisbee
I love this! I started using Vodka years ago to disinfect my kitchen counters, clean glass and many more things! It does a wonderful job and is non toxic!
Bren
Great tips. Michelle. I have been meaning to try vodka as a counter cleaner since it is a disinfectant. What types of counters have you used it on?
Michelle Bisbee
I have granite countertops and it does a great job leaving no streaks at all. I know that any germs are safely removed so my family stays safe from any bacteria from raw meat etc.
Susan
Thanks for the Greatest Tip That I would have Never believed if I didn’t hear about this on this website. I Have Been Through So many different cleaner products for my granite counter tops. Thanks for the tip.
Bren
Glad you found the tip useful, Susan!