Credit:
Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser
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Credit:
Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser
Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.
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This eco-friendly glass cleaner leaves windows crystal clear, and it has an even spray, no smell, and it is safe for homes with kids and pets. Read More
The cleaner’s droplets don’t run down the surface too quickly, and it barely makes wet streaks when cleaning. Great for car windows. Read More
This ammonia-free glass cleaner really tackles stuck on grime. Read More
This all-around cleaner is great for indoor and outdoor use, but it has a strong ammonia scent. Read More
We all aspire to have clean windows and clean mirrors. Nothing can be more pesky than toothpaste spots above the sink or dirt in your line of sight while driving. It goes without saying, but having a good glass cleaner is the key to a good view.
There is more than one way to clean mirrors and windows, but regardless of your method, you’ll want a reliable glass cleaner that does the work so you don’t have to use as much elbow grease to leave a streak-free shine. Like other cleaning products, there are several factors that separate the good glass cleaning agents from the great: efficacy, smell, ingredients, toxicity, and price.
These are the best cleaners for glass you can get online right now.
Eco-friendly, ammonia-free Biokleen glass cleaner leaves windows crystal clear, has an even spray, and no smell.
Invisible Glass can be used widely, including on car windows, and the spray nozzle has several settings for different spray sizes.
This tough Chemical Guys glass cleaner is a better-than-most challenger for gross gunk like bird poo and bug bodies on car windows.
Minimal streaking
Even spray
Contains ammonia
Strong smell
Kills germs, including COVID
Safe for humans
Part of a system
Expires quickly
Chlorine smell
Child safe
Natural ingredients
Vinegar smell
Some streaking
Even spray
Various spray options
Contains ammonia
Drips quickly
Leaves some streaking
Cleaner windows help you see better, which can improve your living room view or your vision while driving.
Windows also tend to gather dust inside and dirt and pollen outside, so cleaning windows inside and out regularly can help improve the amount of light filtering into your home, as well as reduce allergens.
Natural light helps our plants grow and our moods stay lifted, so we recommend cleaning your windows weekly to brighten your space and clear off any buildup.
One of our data points was how well the glass cleaner sprayed onto the glass.
Before you buy a glass cleaner, you’ll want to think through how you’ll use it. Most glass cleaners are made for windows and mirrors, but some can be used on car windows, TV screens, and even stovetops. However, each glass cleaner comes with its own formula and instructions. Make sure to do your research before spraying throughout your home.
Most glass cleaners have ammonia, which has a strong scent but leaves windows clear with a streak-free finish, most of the time. If you have pets or children, you may opt for a more natural cleaner without ammonia, many of which use white vinegar instead.
When it comes to television screens—or most tech screens for that matter—you absolutely want to avoid cleaners with alcohol or ammonia. This can rule out many glass cleaners, but a soft cloth with warm water can do the trick.
While glass is used in many products, not all glass should be cleaned with glass cleaner. Your glass stovetop is one of those items; read directions and care manuals before cleaning your glass stovetop, and never, ever use an ammonia-based glass cleaner on a hot stovetop. Opt for a stovetop cleaner made specifically for glass-top stoves.
You’ll also want to avoid spraying glass cleaner on tech screens like your TV, desktop monitor, and laptop. Some screens need gentler cleaners, and you don’t want to damage the screen’s surface or color. If your screen can be cleaned with glass cleaner always spray directly onto a cloth and then wipe the screen.
Generally, glass cleaners don’t kill germs. Some may have strong chemicals, like ammonia, but that doesn’t mean the surfaces are disinfected after use.
Of the cleaners we tested, only one—Force of Nature—actually kills germs, and it is because it is part of a cleaning system and offers multiple uses in one spray. If you want to disinfect windows, we recommend creating your own vinegar mixture or using an all-purpose spray before cleaning with glass cleaner.
Liv Birdsall is a Freelance Contributor at Reviewed. She is most passionate about eco-friendly initiatives and alternatives and writes about sustainability across subject areas, including beauty, style, home and garden, and lifestyle. Her writing can be found on USA Today, Reviewed.com, Yoga Journal, and her blog muchmess.com. She works as a yoga teacher, QA Analyst, Copyeditor, and Blog Coordinator, all from her plant-filled home in Columbus, Ohio.
Lily Hartman
Staff Writer, Search
Lily Hartman is a staff writer who also enjoys writing magazine articles about health and outdoor recreation. In her free time, she likes to hike, camp, run, and lift weights.
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