Profile Menu

How to clean glass w/o glass cleaner and get them cleaner

Upgrades & DIY / Other DIY written by @Jasen 06 Sierra 1500 Z71 4x Xcab (GMC Sierra 1500 2006)
06.12.2016

How to actually get your windows clean and without chemicals, and do it quicker, easier, better and cheaper.

Skill lvl: Anyone

Time: 10-15 mins.

Equipment: 2 Microfiber towels

1. Do all your interior/exterior cleaning, dressing, waxing before your glass.

2. Keep one microfiber towel dry and dampen the other one with water, it doesn't need to be fully wet, typically this will do...

(Dedicate 2 microfiber towels for windows only, no dressing or waxing with these towels ever!!!, and no fabric softener on any microfiber towel EVER!!!)
3.
Make sure your glass is cool before cleaning. If outside pull into the shade, turn the truck around if need be and let the glass cool...
4.
Using up and down motion's followed by side to side, clean the glass with the dampened mocrofiber towel paying attention to the edges, not just the field. (Flip/refold your towel to a clean side as it get's solid)
5
.Follow up with the dry microfiber towel with the same up/down, side/side motion, again, paying attention to the edges.
6.
When doing side windows, roll them down a few inches and pop open the rears (double cab) and clean the edge before doing the field. Don't forget the mirrors. (Fully clean one window or 1/2 the windshield at a time)
7.
View the glass from different directions and from inside and out, touch up any spots you missed in any.

Conclusion:
This is the easiest, quickest, most cost effective, surefire way I have found to truly clean the glass in your rigs or the house.
Many household glass cleaners contain ammonia (which is bad on plastic, vinyl, rubber, leather) and will spot your dash and any vinyl/leather conditioners you've applied to the dash, door panels and seats. Although the spots are not necessarily permanent, if your like me, you can't have spots on your dash and streaks on your door panels.

I used to detail cars for a living and window cleaning was pretty easy back then, until the EPA stepped in and took all the good stuff out of glass cleaners because it was bad. I've used some automotive glass cleaners in recent years, they are better then Windex or the like, but still not like Sprayaway was 20 years ago. I've mixed my own vinegar and rubbing alcohol cleaner, used newspaper and I don't think anything has worked as well as the microfiber towel method.

Disclaimer: Extremely dirty windows my take more time and work, especially if dealing with nicotine.

Story’s Author

United States of America United States of America, Washington
487 days on site
Vehicles:
1
Stories:
10