Non-Toxic Homemade Glass and Mirror Cleaners
Mix Pantry Items for Cheaper, Safer and Effective Household Products
Dec 14, 2008
The toxins contained in store-bought cleaning products are bad for the environment and can cause cancer. According to Dr. George Grant, toxicologist and founder of the International Academy of Wellness, an “EPA study stated that the toxic chemicals in household cleaners are 3 times more likely to cause cancer than outdoor air.” Fortunately, it is easy to reduce these pollutants by making cleaners from items commonly found in the home.
Some recipe ingredients are safer, but not non-toxic. They have been identified with an asterisk(*). Never mix home chemicals together without a recipe. Combining bleach and ammonia for example, can produce dangerous fumes. These recipes come from Michigan State University Extension, Readers Digest Practical Problem Solver (1991), and grandmothers everywhere.
Tips on Window Washing
- Never wash windows when they are warm or the sun is shining on them because they dry too quickly and leave streaks.
- When polishing windows use up and down strokes on one side of the window and side to side strokes on the other to see which side needs extra polishing.
- For a sparkling shine, use a natural linen towel or soft cloth, a damp chamois cloth, a squeegee, or crumpled newspaper.
Homemade Glass Cleaner Recipes
- Mix in a sprayer bottle equal amounts of white vinegar and warm water. Dry with a soft cloth for a streak-free shine.
- For dirty windows, mix 1 cup rubbing (Isopropyl*) alcohol, 1 cup water, and 1 tablespoon white vinegar.
- For really tough windows, mix two tablespoons of Borax* or washing soda* for a strong window cleaner. Apply to surface and wipe dry.
- For cut glass, sprinkle baking soda on a damp rag and clean glass. Rinse with clean water and polish with a soft cloth.
Scratches, Stains, And Discoloration
- Rub a little toothpaste into the scratch. Polish with a soft cloth.
- Mix 1 part dry mustard and 1 part white vinegar into a paste. Apply paste to the scratch. Polish with a soft cloth. Avoid eye contact; Dry mustard can be damaging to the cornea.
Windshield Wiper Fluid
- When you have to leave your car outside overnight in the winter, mix 3 parts vinegar to 1 part water and coat the windows with this solution. This vinegar and water combination will keep windshields ice and frost-free. Makes a great wiper fluid also.
Using these formulas and substitutions help minimize the use of toxic substances in the home, and reduce the environmental harm caused by the manufacture, use and disposal of toxics. Results may vary and cannot be guaranteed to be 100% safe and effective. Before applying any of these recipes, test in small hidden areas. Make sure to keep all homemade formulas well-labeled and out of the reach of children.
For more non-toxic solutions for the home, please go to Bathroom Cleaners, Kitchen Cleaners, and Metal Cleaners.
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