Does anyone have a more environmentally friendly way

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

for cleaning windows?

I have to clean all my windows & I have a lot. I've already put it off too long.

I think Windex & a million paper towels does a pretty crappy job, plus it's such a waste. I was wondering if anyone had a better way. I've googled, but I was looking to see if anyone had something tried & true.


TIA!

[The empressof all]

1. Old Newspapers

I use a vinegar/water solution in a spray bottle and go at it with newspaper. Works great! You can even put a drop of blue food coloring in the spray (If you're using a clear bottle). Works just as well if not better than Windex.

[semillama]

2. What about this?

Do you think that using a squeegee like the ones at gas stations with the vinegar/water solution would work? then you could cut down on how many newspapers you use, too.

[Warpy]

3. I'm a squeegee person, myself

I generally go through one washable towel during the process, just to wipe the crud off the edge of the squeegee (WHERE does that stuff come from?).

[DrDan]

8. I use a squeegee also

live on the beach . . . and that sea air cakes on the windows so that they need to be cleaned weekly.

I use hot water, a bit of dish soap, and a squeegee. I use a clean rag so as to clean the squeegee after each pass.

Seems to work great. Using the rag after each pass prevents any remnants.

Also, replacing the squeegee helps - good, soft rubber works better than aged, cracked, and hardened rubber.

[here_is_to_hope]

13. Ditto here, we get that "salt crust" after

a hard rain and wind.

[libnnc]

4. squeegees rock

Nothing else works for me. And the vinegar and water works wonders too.

I also use vinegar with some lemon juice for other house cleaning chores.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

5. Thanks all! One last question: What proportion of vinegar to

water? Half & half? I've got a squeegee, probably several, so I'll definitely give that a go.

[NMDemDist2]

6. half and half is good, here's a link with recipes

http://www.versatilevinegar.org/usesandtips.html#1b

[youthere]

7. 2 T household ammonia (non sudsing) , 1 cup rubbing alcohol, 2 drops dishwashing liquid...

and 2 cups of warm water. Spray on windows, wipe with a cloth (or use a squeegee) and polish with crumpled newspaper (non shiny newspaper). Beautiful streak free clean. Never fails.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

9. *********** Update ******************

I'm halfway done. Did I mention that I have a lot of windows? And that I'm lazy as hell? And that I suck at housekeeping?

Anyhoo, the vinegar is working very well. The squeezee not so much, but I'm making it work by also using a painter's rag (my son told me that tip).

Even if the windows aren't perfect I feel much better than using windex & a million paper towels.

Thanks all!

[TygrBright]

10. White vinegar, water, spongy squeegee, old newspapers, nylon net...

About a cup of vinegar to a half-gallon of lukewarm water in a bucket.

Dip spongy side of squeegee in and draw against bucket side to remove excess as you take it out.

Apply to window in 2-3 (depending on squeegee width) smooth downward strokes.

Flip squeegee and, with a wad of crumply newspaper in your other hand, draw the squeegee smoothly over the wet surface, blotting at the bottom with your newspapers.

Use wad of newspapers to polish dry any remaining bits of moisture on the window. Discard newspapers as they get too damp and replace with new wad of dry ones.

Use nylon net for the occasional bit of crud that doesn't squeegee/newspaper scrub off.

Put used newspapers in compost (assuming they are soy-ink, which most are nowadays.)

Fill bucket all the way up and pour out, gently, around the roots of acid-loving plants like azaleas, etc., just before you water them.

Rinse squeegee and nylon net and put away with bucket for next time.

helpfully,
Bright

[kittykitty]

11. Dirtex! A spray cleaner that does an excellent job. Use a squeegee and a few paper towels. But

Dirtex is made by Red Devil, I believe. It comes in an aerosol can. At Lowe's I found it in the paint aisle. I have a lot of windows with small panes. I squirt about 4 at a time, and rub the Dirtex around with a paper towel. My squeegee fits exactly in the pane. One swipe with the squeegee and a wipe around the edges, and the window is perfect. It's great for mirrors, too.

Also, when washing outside windows, squirt them with the hose first. This removes the dust. You don't want the dust to be added to the window washing liquid on the window as it just creates "mud".

[MADem]

12. Is it environmentallly friendly though, this Dirtex? In an aerosol can? nt