How to make it
- 1Combine all ingredients in a glass spray bottle
Pour water in first, then alcohol, then vinegar. Adding alcohol first can cause splashing. Add essential oil last if using.
- 2Attach nozzle and shake briefly
Shake for 5 seconds to combine. The mixture is mostly water and alcohol which blend easily — no vigorous shaking needed.
- 3Choose the right cloth — this matters
A microfibre cloth is essential for streak-free results. Paper towels leave lint. Old cotton T-shirts work in a pinch. Avoid anything fluffy or loosely woven.
- 4Spray sparingly and wipe in S-motions
One or two sprays per window pane is enough. Too much liquid causes streaks. Wipe in overlapping S-shaped motions from top to bottom — this moves dirt down rather than spreading it across.
- 5Buff dry immediately
For mirrors: wipe until completely dry and buff in small circles for a final shine. Leaving any moisture on glass — even for 30 seconds — allows water spots to form.
The most common cause of streaky windows is not the cleaner — it is the cloth. A used, fabric-softener-treated cloth deposits a waxy residue on glass that creates streaks no cleaner can fix. Use a freshly washed, fabric-softener-free microfibre cloth, and the streaks disappear almost entirely regardless of what cleaner you use.
Surfaces guide
- Use vodka (at least 60% proof) instead of rubbing alcohol for the same result
- Add 1 tbsp cornstarch dissolved in the water for extra streak resistance on large windows
- Use lavender essential oil instead of peppermint for a calmer scent in bedrooms
- For outdoor windows with heavy grime, increase vinegar to 3 tbsp
- Omit essential oil entirely — the cleaner works identically without it