The Best Non Toxic Glass Cleaners + DIY Recipe
Easy non toxic glass cleaner recipe that actually works for dirty windows or glass surfaces. Get rid of harmful toxic chemicals by making your own cleaning products using safe ingredients you already have at home.
It’s spring time! Around this time every year I get the bug to clean and declutter, open up the the curtains and windows and let all that beautiful sunshine and fresh air in.
We have floor to ceiling windows in our living room and no matter how tidy and clean that room is, if those windows are full of grime and smudges (which with an almost two year old in the house, they almost always are…) the room just doesn’t quite look clean.
Clean windows just add an extra layer of freshness and clean feeling!
What is the best natural cleaner for glass?
In my humble opinion the best non toxic glass cleaner will always be a homemade one with everyday natural ingredients.
The good news is that now a days there’s much better options at the store for natural cleaning products, but they usually come at an extra cost.
And you still need to be careful with some of those sneaky ingredients they add in there, like synthetic fragrances for example which is one of the main ingredients in most common cleaning products.
Here’s a list of glass cleaners you can purchase with an A rating from the Environmental Working Group free of harsh chemicals:
- AspenClean glass cleaner, lime.
- Attitude sensitive skin natural window and mirror cleaner.
- Aunt Fannie’s glass and window vinegar wash.
- Citra Solv Citra clear window and glass cleaner.
- Cleaning Studio glass natural cleaner.
- Earthy glass and window cleaner.
- Greenshield organic glass cleaner, fresh.
- KisClean glass cleaner.
- Murchison-Hume premium glass polish, fragrance free.
- Ology glass cleaner.
- PUR Home glass cleaner, rosemary citrus.
- Sensitive Home glass cleaner, free and clear.
- Thrive Market Glass and Mirror cleaner, Unscented.
- Whole Foods Market glass cleaner, unscented.
Other brands that market themselves as “natural” like seventh generation, mrs. meyer, and green works got pretty low ratings by the EWG with letter grades of C, D, and F.
U.S. law allows manufacturers of cleaning products to use almost any ingredient they wish, including known carcinogens and substances that can harm fetal and infant development. And the government doesn’t review the safety of products before they’re sold.
Environmental Working Group
YIKES!!
Is windex toxic?
Windex is the traditional glass cleaner in the U.S. but sadly it’s not the safest for human health. With over 20 ingredients listed on the label-most of which I can’t pronounce and have NO IDEA what they are without looking them up in some crazy science dictionary.
The main ingredient listed is ammonium hydroxide, which is what makes it an effective window cleaner but it’s also a very strong irritant to skin and eyes sometimes even causing burns. People with asthma and allergy problems should not use windex because it causes respiratory issues affecting the lungs and throat.
Another toxic ingredient found in windex and most traditional cleaners is artificial fragrance.
Synthetic fragrance is known to cause headaches, respiratory issues, and hormonal imbalances. It’s also been linked to higher risk of breast and liver cancer.
Windex is toxic if swallowed….or licked by a toddler or pet, so it is best kept out of reach of children.
Non Toxic Homemade Glass Cleaner Recipe
Here’s a simple recipe for an easy DIY glass cleaner you can make with just three simple ingredients. It also makes a great all purpose cleaner.
Supplies you will need:
- 16oz glass spray bottle
- Funnel
Ingredient List:
3 Tbsp white vinegar
10 Drops Lemon or Orange Essential Oils
2 cups of water
Instructions:
Add all ingredients to 16oz glass bottle and shake well. Let sit for 10 minutes before using.
Just a little side note- When you get ready to tackle those dirty windows, try to stay away from using paper towels, I find they don’t leave a streak-free shine. Try instead using a lint-free cloth like a clean microfiber cloth, or I really like using old newspapers if you have any laying around.
As you get comfortable using and making your own natural products you can start experimenting with recipes on your own. For example, if i’m out of white vinegar I will swap it for rubbing alcohol which works awesome for cleaning windows and disinfecting hard surfaces, but it’s not necessarily a safer choice since it can cause skin and eye irritation on some people.
