Nothing irritates me more than a hazed, smeared car windshield. When the sun blares through or when the headlights come on in, it is an awful reminder that the windows need cleaned. It is not easy finding cleaners that don’t streak or leave a haze. My personal experience with auto windshields and my OCD had me find the best way to eliminate those streaks, haze and smears.
Since I love a clear, clean windshield, I want to share my tips for streak free windshields and windows. The simple tips I have for streak free windshields and windows are also very budget-friendly and personally used on all my vehicles.
Just be warned that once you start cleaning with my mixtures for clean windshields and car windows, you might start cleaning all the window and mirrors in your home as well. Lavishly live auto car out loud and get those windows and windshields streak free and haze free.
Tips For Streak Free Windshields And Windows
I can pretty much guarantee you that my supply list will not send you running to the store to clean the windshields and windows but instead right to your cleaning cabinets and recycle bin. I love when I use products in my home for multiple uses, other than those they were intended for. The fact that these are practical items also means that they won’t break the bank.
Grab Your Supplies
It’s time to defend your windows against that haze that just appears. I will say that you will have to clean your windows more frequently to keep them clean because riding with windows open just welcomes the collection of haze to the windshield. The best news is that you have a way to defeat all the haze, grime and dirt and it only takes a few minutes of time.
You will need: Newspaper, rubbing alcohol and/or white vinegar (and a spray bottle).
Newspapers
Newspapers with traditional black and white print are soon to be your new best friend. Don’t walk them to the recycle bin, rather keep them handy so you can clean your windows. What you don’t want are the ‘glossy’ ad papers that are found within those black and white press pages, go ahead and toss those back to the recycle bin.
Grab yourself a set of plastic disposable gloves so that the newsprint won’t transfer to your fingers and you can toss them out when you are done. I have found that traditional rubber gloves only make more of a mess as the print transfers from the gloves to other house surfaces that the gloves are used on. The print does not transfer to the windows, just your fingers.
Rubbing Alcohol a.k.a isopropyl alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is a great way to clean the windows, it leaves them glistening clear. The results that you will see when you use the combination that is to be provided is nothing short of crystal clear.
White Vinegar
White vinegar is so easy to clean with and the cost is per gallon is minimal, making it a perfect home cleaning staple. Its ability to create streak-free, haze-free windows also makes it a choice cleaning agent. Windshields and windows are the perfect place to clear off the hazy film.
Method One: Rubbing Alcohol & Newspaper
Simply moisten the newspaper (crumple it first) with rubbing alcohol and then swipe from side to side. You do want to swipe in one direction: either up and down or side to side. Make sure to flip the ball of newspaper, so to always have fresh print for each swipe. The windows will not streak and they will be cleared of the grime and mist of everyday dirt, smoke, etc. The Rubbing alcohol is the solvent and the newspaper provides the streak free clean that will appear.
Method Two: White Vinegar & Newspaper
Mix 50/50, water to vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray onto window, windshield and wipe clear with newspaper in one direction. Remember to consistently reverse the area of the newspaper wad you are using for streak-free results. While I love the results on this method, I feel that sometimes I over-spray, and I also do not like hitting my dashboard with vinegar water. When I use the White Vinegar Method, I also place a towel down on the dash to capture the over-spray.
Easy & Fast
These products make auto windshields sparkle and gleam. My Tips For Streak Free Windshields and Windows are easy to follow and provide fast results. Lavishly live car windshield and window car out loud and suddenly the sun and headlights can shine on through.
Need more car tips and tricks? Check out my other articles
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Tips For Streak Free Windshields and Car Windows
5 Cleaning Products That Can Harm Your Car
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Melissa says
February 26, 2019 at 5:53 pmThis is good info! We use vinegar a whole bunch for cleaning around our home (love using it in our laundry!) Have you ever heard of using cornstarch or arrowroot powder in your homemade window cleaning solution? Not sure about using it on car windows but I’ve heard it works a treat for home windows. Really appreciate the time you put into providing us all with these easy solutions. Thanks again for the great information!
Ken Hwan says
June 26, 2018 at 12:26 pmI really appreciate your advice to use newspapers to clean windows, especially since the print only transfers to your hands and not the windows. My wife and I recently moved into a new house, and we have been trying to find a safe cheap way to clean our windows to avoid any streaks. We will be sure to find some gloves so our hands aren’t covered in ink while we clean!
Dana Vento says
July 1, 2018 at 4:02 pmHa, yes the downfall of newsprint is the color on your fingers yet my windows have NEVER looked better. Thanks for reading!
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Adam says
August 21, 2017 at 10:19 amI use newspapers most of the time but I never thought that alcohol can be a big help!
Drew says
April 19, 2017 at 11:41 amI’ve never thought to use newspapers to clean my windows but I am definitely willing to give it a try if I can get a streak free shine. Thanks for the tips!
Drew recently posted..Welcome To All Valley Auto Glass!
Ryan says
March 13, 2017 at 9:33 amInteresting post! I’ve never heard of using newspaper to clean windows! Might have to try it, thanks for sharing!
McKenzie says
February 6, 2017 at 3:02 pmThank you for sharing this cleaning tip. I am always looking for more and more methods of getting absolutely no streaks!
Drew says
October 11, 2016 at 12:11 pmI wouldn’t normally think to clean my windows with newspaper but I guess I can give it a try next time. Thanks for the tip.
Rosey says
September 22, 2016 at 3:35 pmI have heard newspaper leave a wonderful streak free finish. I am going to try them!
Crystal says
September 22, 2016 at 12:15 amGrowing up my mom used newspapers to clean the windows at our house. I have to admit I’ve never tried it myself.
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Shell says
September 21, 2016 at 9:33 pmI had no idea you could use simple household supplies to clean the windows! Thanks for the tip!
Shell recently posted..The Smart Talk: How to Set Technology Rules for Kids
Nikki Wayne says
September 21, 2016 at 7:39 pmI never thought that white vinegar can be a big help! I will share this with my sister, she owned 2 cars.
Beeb Ashcroft says
September 21, 2016 at 3:26 pmRubbing alcohol has always been my go-to for this! Works like a charm!
Kelly Hutchinson says
September 21, 2016 at 1:20 pmI just remembered my mom used vinegar and newspapers to clean our windows! It worked like a charm!
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Amanda Love says
September 21, 2016 at 5:00 amI love a clear window! This is such an awesome tip and I can definitely use this to make sure that my windows are in top shape all the time!
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Chavonne H says
September 21, 2016 at 2:05 amThanks for the tips, I wouldn’t have thought to use newspaper, rubbing alcohol or white vinegar. Our windows are full of streaks that we just can’t seem to get rid of so hopefully this will take care of that problem.
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Toni | BoulderLocavore.com says
September 21, 2016 at 1:55 amI always use method one for mirrors in my house but never tried it with windshields. Sounds like a great idea! Will try both these methods! 😀
Toni recently posted..Apple Cider Pork Tenderloin with Potatoes and Apples
Theresa says
September 20, 2016 at 11:06 pmThese are great tips for a streak free shine. Newspaper is such a great way to reuse and recycle into a cleaning tool after you are done reading it!
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Liz Mays says
September 20, 2016 at 9:26 pmOh these are pretty clever ways to clean. I may have to test each method on the back windows!
MJ.L says
September 20, 2016 at 9:17 pmThese are great tips! I hate when my windows are streaky.
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Chrystal | Nevermore Lane says
September 20, 2016 at 8:41 pmI’ve never been very good at keeping my car windows clean outside of the car wash. These are great tips.
Rachel Ferrucci says
September 20, 2016 at 8:32 pmAll great tips! We’ve been using newspaper since I was little. I’m happy to say my husband does all the windows lol
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Brandy says
September 20, 2016 at 2:43 pmThese are all really great tips! I never would have thought to use newspaper to clean my windows.
Brandy recently posted..Roto-Rooter Clog 101 – Easily Remove Clogs
Pam Wattenbarger says
September 20, 2016 at 1:58 pmThere is nothing worse than streaks on freshly cleaned windows. These are great tips for keeping windows streak-free.
Colleen Lanin says
September 20, 2016 at 1:57 pmThanks for sharing this methods! I go through hoops to get my windows streak free. HOOPS! These should definitely help me save time.
Colleen Lanin recently posted..12 Essentials for your Dream Wedding Registry
Stacie says
September 20, 2016 at 1:55 pmOh wow! That newspaper thing is so crazy! You would think you’d end up with black smears all over your windows! You learn something new every day!
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