Windows become particularly grimy as the weather warms up. Regularly opening and closing them allows dust to gather on the panes inside. Maintaining spotless windows can be frustrating as the glass frequently smudges, however TJ, a mother and creator of Measuring Flower, reveals a straightforward method to avoid streaking.
TJ said: "I mixed alcohol, water, and cornstarch. Voila! I think I have found my perfect window cleaner. The alcohol disinfects, the cornstarch does something magical to make it streak-free and clear, and the water simply dilutes it."
Cornstarch can disrupt water's surface tension, meaning it enables a window cleaning mixture to distribute across the glass more effectively, allowing for more uniform evaporation. It's also remarkably absorbent, soaking up any remaining residue from a cleaning mixture, ensuring absolutely no possibility of streaks being left behind.
While some people advocate using white vinegar for window cleaning, it evaporates quickly, which typically results in very streaky results.
White vinegar remains usable when combined with cornstarch, though rubbing alcohol proves superior as it functions as a powerful disinfectant without leaving any residue whatsoever.
TJ said: "Some say to just use plain white vinegar. But, when I tried just plain white vinegar (diluted with water, of course), it left streaks on my glass."
How to make an effective homemade window cleaner
Pour all the ingredients into an empty spray bottle. You can purchase spray bottles in the gardening section of most supermarkets but they can also be bought in pound shops.
It is also crucial that the water you use is cold. Cornstarch starts to thicken when heated up, which will turn the cleaning solution into a goopy mess that will clog the spray bottle.
Place the cap on the spray bottle and give it a good shake to mix all the ingredients together. Then, all you have to do is spray it onto a window and clean it with a dry cloth.
Your windows will be gleaming and sparkling clean in just 10 minutes. This simple solution can also help clean any other glass surfaces like mirror or shower doors.
