How To Make the Best Window Cleaner // the Non-Toxic Way

window cleaner

This DIY window cleaner is the best window cleaner recipe I’ve found. It’s inexpensive, gives streak-free results, and is super fast to make.

If you’ve been following me long enough, I’m sure you know I’m all about using non-toxic cleaners and that I love DO-IT-YOURSELF products that work and save money! I’ve tried several other recipes, but this one seems to work the best and is the easiest to make.

Why in the world would you want to make your own window cleaner?

When using most store-bought brands, you almost get asphyxiated while cleaning. The fumes can be really strong and you gotta know there are some serious chemicals in there. Well, according to EWG’s guide, Windex gets a score of “D”. The number one ingredient is AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE which has some major concerns. That one ingredient alone is enough for me to use something else.

If you don’t want to make your own, you can find some brands that are non-toxic and that work. This particular window cleaner has good reviews and it gets a score of “A” on EWG.

I like to save money and get good results, so this window cleaner recipe is a win, win!

Window Cleaner Ingredients

  • 3 TB rubbing alcohol
  • ¼ cup white vinegar
  • 1 tsp cornstarch or arrowroot powder
  • ¾ cup distilled water
WINDOW CLEANER BOTTLES

I really like these glass spray bottles and use them for my other DIY cleaners. 

window cleaner bottle

Window Cleaner Instructions

1- Simply pour all the ingredients into a glass spray bottle

2- Shake well to mix.

WINDOW CLEANER TAPE LABELMake sure to label your bottle! There have been so many times that I mix up some brew and forget what is in the bottle. 

You can use something as simple as masking or painter’s tape, or you can create your own labels. 

WINDOW CLEANER LABELSI have these labels available in my shop if you want to buy them already made and printed on weatherproof paper.

GET THE FREE WINDOW CLEANER PDF LABEL HERE 

Tips for Using DIY Window Cleaner

1- Use a lint-free cloth. Some folks think that microfiber cloths work best, but I don’t really notice a big difference and feel I get just as good results with a good old cotton cloth.

window cleaner cloths2- When my washcloths and hand towels get old and ratty, I repurpose them as cleaning cloths. If you want to get really organized, you can buy a set of inexpensive washcloths at Walmart that are all the same color. That way you know what are cleaning clothes and which ones you’ll be using on your face.

3- When cleaning windows, shower doors, mirrors, and other glass surfaces work from top to bottom.

4- If you have severe hard water stains on your shower doors, try spraying a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water on the area and let it soak for a good 15 minutes before wiping. You can also use the ingredients in the cleaning solution I use on my shower tile. You can get all the information and watch the video here.

I hope you enjoy this window-cleaner recipe as much as I do.

You may find this CLEANING SYSTEM helpful if you are overwhelmed with everything it takes to keep your house clean.  This is a fun way to spread out all the tasks so they are doable.

How To Make the Best Window Cleaner // the Non-Toxic Way

window cleaner

This DIY window cleaner is the best window cleaner recipe I’ve found. It’s inexpensive, gives streak-free results, and is super fast to make.

  • Prep Time5 min
  • Total Time5 min

    Ingredients

    Cake

      • 3 TB rubbing alcohol
      • ¼ cup white vinegar
      • 1 tsp cornstarch or arrowroot powder
      • ¾ cup distilled water

    Instructions

    1

    1- Simply pour all the ingredients into a glass spray bottle

    2- Shake well to mix.

     

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    Jan Howell

    Jan Howell

    Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

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    DIY: Non-Toxic Foaming Hand Wash

    Have you ever stopped to think what is in hand soap? Most hand soaps and lotions are full of toxic chemicals, especially antibacterial soaps. What you put on your skin is readily absorbed into the bloodstream and may be effecting your health. Here is a little information about why we should avoid anti-bacterial soaps, and consider making your own non-toxic foaming hand wash.

    I’m trying not to put a lot of focus on the cold & flu, however, you’ve got to admit, these viruses are out there and there is something you can do to help prevent it. WASH YOUR HANDS! 

    Makes sense, of course, since hand washing is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. The Environmental Working Group (EWC)

    What’s so bad about antibacterial soaps?

    The main reason to avoid anti-bacterial soaps is its active ingredient: triclosan (and the related triclocarbon). Triclosan is an anti-bacterial chemical found in many consumer products, and it’s nearly ubiquitous in liquid hand soap. It is linked to liver and inhalation toxicity, and even low levels of triclosan may disrupt thyroid function. Further, the American Medical Association recommends that triclosan not be used in the home, as it may encourage bacterial resistance to antibiotics.

    Just think of all the times you wash your hands everyday, or should be washing your hands (about 7-10 times a day) and what is going into your bloodstream via hand soap alone.

    You and your children can avoid a lot of chemicals going into your system by simply choosing a non-toxic soap to wash your hands with.

    I like to make my own foaming hand wash. use a blend of essential oils that Wild Orange, Clove, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary which offer a natural and effective way to clean your hands. This combination of essential oil is protects against environmental threats and it smells yummy!

    It is super easy and takes only a few minutes to make.

    Here is what you need:

    how to make your own non-toxic foaming hand wash

    Pour the liquid soap into the jar.

    Add 10- 15 drops of essential oils.

    There are a lot of great essential oil combinations to use. I like

    • 5 drops of Peppermint Oil and five drops of Melaleuca oil
    • 10-15 drops Lemon Oil
    • Use your creativity and your nose to create some other yummy blends.

    Slowly add water. Shake gently.

    If you see the soap and water separate, you may need to give it a little shake once in a while.

    Simple, Safe, and Inexpensive! Keep a jar by every sink!

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    Jan Howell

    Jan Howell

    Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

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    Natural Bathroom Cleaner That Works – How to Make Your Own

    natural bathroom cleaner
    natural bathroom cleaner

    Are you looking for a natural bathroom cleaner that really works? Are you tired of wasting your money on products that just don’t cut it when it comes to cleaning naturally? I used to until I started making my own non-toxic bathroom cleaners. It took me a while to try out and tweak many recipes, but I found a keeper and that is what I have used for the past 15 years or so.

    natural bathroom cleaner
    This recipe is for a creamy tub & toilet scrub that is easy to make and chemical-free. I make a big batch of this up to save time. It makes approximately 12 cups of scrub. (about 6 – 16 oz jars).
     
    This cleaner is great to clean your shower tile, toilets, sinks, and faucets. You are going to love it!
     
    Are you ready to make up a batch?
    natural bathroom cleaner

    Items needed to make natural bathroom cleaner

    • Large inexpensive mixing bowl (the baking soda can etch plastic bowls, so I buy a big plastic bowl at the dollar store that I use just for this).
    • whisk
    • funnel
    • storage jars with squirt lid ( You can also use empty dish soap jars).
    • large measuring bowl or pitcher
    • teaspoon
    • measuring cup
    natural bathroom cleaner

    Ingredients Needed

    •  8 cups baking soda or 4 – 16 oz. Boxes
    •  8 TB/ 1/2 cup concentrated dish soap or 1/2 cup regular
      dish soap (half that amount if you have soft water)
    •  8 TB Vinegar diluted in 7-8 cups distilled water
    •  2 teaspoons Tea Tree Oil  (Other essential oils to use: Clove, Lemon, Geranium,
      Rosemary, Wild Orange)

    Let’s talk dishwashing soap for a minute. You are going to find a big spectrum of what is “natural” and “non-toxic”. If you are questioning what kind of soap to use in your cleaners, you can go to the EWG’s website and see their ratings. The kind of soap you choose is all about how clean you want to go. I personally find Mrs. Meyers’s soap ok for my needs, I don’t use it all the time. It does a great job and smells yummy. It rates a “c” for mostly environmental threats. Now on the other end of the spectrum is pure Castile soup that rates an “a”.

    How to make the Natural Bathroom Cleaner

    In a large mixing bowl, add the baking soda, dish soap, and essential oils

    Using a whisk, mix well to get all the lumps out

    Using another bowl or picture, add vinegar and 7-8 cups of distilled water to dilute

    (If you pour the vinegar directly into the baking soda without diluting, you will have a big bubbly mess).

    natural bathroom cleaner

    Slowly pour the liquid into the baking soda.

    Mix well, working out the lumps.

    natural bathroom cleaner

    Using a funnel, pour the mixture into squirt bottles, mixing frequently between pourings.

    This will be a little messy.  No worries. Make sure to mix between bottles, as it settles quickly.

    natural bathroom cleaner

    Take to the sink to rinse and then dry the bottles.

    natural bathroom cleaner filled bottles

    BAM, there you have it.

    You’re set for several months*

    natural bathroom cleaner squirt bottles

    How to store your Natural bathroom cleaner

    Once you make up a batch of cleaner, you need to put it in something. It makes up about 12 cups. I like to use these plastic cylinder jars with a squirt lid. You can buy them here at a very reasonable price. You can also use empty dishwashing soap jars.
    natural bathroom cleaner

    Label Jars

    I recommend labeling the jars. You may think you will remember what is in the bottle, but if you are like me, you will forget. You can simply use masking tape and a marker, design and print your own labels, or buy them already designed.
     
    I have designed a set of labels for all of my natural cleaning labels that you may be interested in.
    What I love about these things is that the recipes for these cleaners are printed right on the labels. No more searching for the instructions when it comes time to whip up another batch.
     
    You can buy the PDF and print out your own.
    OR
    Buy the labels already printed on quality vinyl weatherproof stickers
    natural bathroom cleaner

    If you store the jar on its side, it will make the shaking process much easier.

    ***** Make sure the lids are on tight! If they are not, the liquid will leak out.  Add a little water when the bottle empties, to use up the sediment on the bottom of the jar.

    natural bathroom cleaner shake

    You will need to shake the bottle vigorously before each use, as it will settle.

    (There are no emulsifying agents added). I turn it upside down and pound the bottom of the jar.

    I have been using CLOVE essential oil along with the Melaleuca (Tea Tree) oil in my cleaning products lately and love it!
    I just made a batch of Tub Scrub up today and used Mrs. Myers new scent Bluebell, 1/2 tea tree oil, and 1/2 clove oil.  It smells fantastic! I am not a big fan of the smell of vinegar, and you can’t even smell the vinegar.
     
    The dish soaps that I prefer to use are Mrs. Myers. Why not have your cleaning products smell nice.
    natural bathroom cleaner set

    Natural Bathroom Cleaner That Works – How to Make Your Own

    natural bathroom cleaner

    A great non-toxic bathroom cleaner. Does a great job and easy to make.

    • Prep Time15 min
    • Total Time15 min

      Ingredients

        •  8 cups baking soda or 4 – 16 oz. Boxes
        •  8 TB/ 1/2 cup concentrated dish soap or 1/2 cup regular
        • dish soap (half that amount if you have soft water)
        •  8 TB Vinegar diluted in 7-8 cups distilled water
        •  2 teaspoons Tea Tree Oil  (Other essential oils to use: Clove, Lemon, Geranium,
        • Rosemary, Wild Orange)

      INSTUCTIONS

      1

      In a large mixing bowl, add the baking soda, dish soap and essential oils.

      2

      Using another bowl or picture, add vinegar and 7-8 cups of distilled water to dilute (If you pour the vinegar directly into the baking soda without diluting, you will have a big bubbly mess).

      3

      Slowly pour the liquid into the baking soda.

      4

      Mix well, working out the lumps.

      5

      Using a funnel, pour the mixture into squirt bottles, mixing frequently between pouring.

      6

      Wash off bottles and store laying on their sides. 

      7

      Shake vigorously before each use.

      Other cleaning posts you may be interested in

      DIY Yoga Mat Spray

      Non-Toxic All Purpose Cleaner Recipe

      Spring Cleaning in Style

      How to Maintain a Clean Orderly Home without Going Insane

      *If you sign up for my email list, you get the PDF with 13 tried and tested Non-Toxic cleaning recipes and tips.

       
      Have fun mixing up your own cleaners, and remember Cleaning Is A Joy!
       

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      Jan Howell

      Jan Howell

      Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

      Read More

      Creating an Efficient, Non-Toxic Laundry Room – Healthy Home Tour

      Doing the laundry is inevitable, and something you get to do several times a week or even daily if you are lucky. Why not make the laundry room a space that is non-toxic and enjoyable to be in. Your non-toxic laundry room does not have to be a dungeon!

      A few years ago, we added onto the back of our house. My husband and I did everything ourselves except the foundation, framing and sheet rock. It took us A LONG TIME! There are still a few things to do in Phase One, but needless to say, I am so excited to have a new laundry room!

      One of the biggest reasons we added onto our home, was to bring the laundry room upstairs. Although it was great exercise going up and down the stairs, it became less efficient and time consuming, and a downright bother.  When I was designing the laundry room, I took some serious thought into what I wanted.

      As you can see, I had all the details drawn out. I spent hours on Pinterest, going through my magazine clippings and researching to find out the most efficient way to use the small space that we had to work with.

      I love home tours. Not only do I enjoy seeing the structural details, I like seeing how the people LIVE in the space. So I thought it would be fun to bring you into my home, room by room and let you see how we live, what products we use, and perhaps share a few helpful tips.

      Let the non- toxic LAUNDRY ROOM tour begin

      Raised washer & dryer stand

      I am going to start with one of my favorite features in my laundry room. I love having the washer and dryer up high enough that it doesn’t’ break my back pulling the laundry in and out of the dryer. We looked at all the options for washer and dryer stands and they just didn’t appeal to me, and were a lot of money. My husband and I did a lot of sketching and designing and this is what we came up with. This stand is really sturdy and gives me room to store two laundry baskets underneath.

      Laundry basket sorting

      I recommend having a laundry basket for each category of laundry: WHITES, COLORS, TOWELS & SHEETS, and JEANS. This helps to keep thing organized. It is a good way to stay caught up with your laundry. If the basket gets full, it’s time to do a load of laundry.

      One thing that has helped me stay on top of my laundry, is to do a little bit everyday (or almost every day). This way I it doesn’t pile up and get overwhelming. I know this may not work for everyone. Some like to just take a day and do it all. Whatever works for you.

      Non-toxic laundry soap

      I like to keep the laundry soap accessible and close to the washing machine. I found this unique glass container at a thrift store years ago. It is perfect for holding my non-toxic powdered detergent.

      Have you ever checked into what is in your laundry soap? Your laundry soap may smell yummy and fresh and it may be getting your clothes clean, but it may be VERY TOXIC. Most commercial laundry detergents have ingredients in them that are very harmful to your health.

      Because of “trade secrets,” manufacturers are not required to disclose what’s in their detergent, so the ingredient list is usually vague and not very helpful. Conventional laundry soap generally contains the following:

      • synthetic detergents, which are often made of petrochemicals
      • phenols (established endocrine disruptors, of which BPA is the most notorious)
      • fragrance (which usually contains phthalates)
      • optical brighteners, which are often made from benzene, a definite carcinogen
      • bleach, which contains chlorine (an environmental toxin–and possibly a carcinogen and endocrine disruptor)
      • phosphates, which break down minerals and render detergent more effective, but with harmful environmental ramifications

      You can read more about these ingredients here.

      I hope this was enough information for you to ponder, and hopefully nudge you to find a more safe way to clean your clothes. There are a lot of options out there that do a great job. I have been using non-toxic laundry soap for many years and have tried several brands. I wasn’t real impressed with any of them until I came across County Save. This is good stuff.

      I recently tried a few other things that I have been really pleased with. Have you ever heard of SOAP NUTS? I hadn’t until a little while ago. I will post more details about these little gems soon, but I really like them!

      Back to the tour

      I also keep a container close by with baking soda in it. This and white vinegar are great to put in with a load of towels. It keeps them fresh and clean.

      I also keep a few essential oils on hand as well. If you put a few drops of oil on a washcloth and then place it in with your clothes your laundry will come out smelling fabulous!

      If you have room for a sink, do it.

      Having a sink in your non-toxic laundry room does come in handy.  Those times when you need to soak something, or wash something really dirty, it’s nice to have it out of the way and not have to use your kitchen sink.

      You can see the soap nuts in the cute little glass container on my dryer. (Can’t wait to post about them).

      The container to the right of my sink, is homemade non-toxic foaming hand soap. It is VERY simple to make using castile soap and essential oils. I show you how to make it here.

      Clothes Racks

      Putting your clothes on hangers as soon as they come out of the dryer will save you a lot of time and grief. Having a place to hang the clothes once they are on hangers is really convenient.

      My husband made and installed a handy clothes rack that attaches to the ceiling right by the dryer. This way I can take the shirts out of the dryer, put them on hangers and hang them up until I finish that load. The ceiling rack is made of galvanized steel. It is nice and sturdy and modern looking.

      I recommend putting the hung up clothes away in your closets right after you have hung them up. Don’t let them accumulate until you have a huge load of clothes to put away. This will only cause overwhelm, and add clutter to the room.

      Dryer Balls

      Dryer balls made from wool yarn or felted wool sweaters work really well to save on drying time. They do help reduce static cling somewhat. I show how to make them here.

      Basket for mismatched socks and delicate clothes

      The basket on top of the washer is for socks without a match and for delicate clothing. When the “other” sock makes its way through the laundry, I know exactly where its match is. When there are enough clothes accumulated for the delicate cycle, I do a batch.

      Window Treatments

      If you have windows in your laundry room, freshen things up with a cheery window treatment. The fabric window valance I have shown in the picture was really easy to make and it didn’t take a lot of fabric or time. I show how to make it here.

      Ironing Board and folding table

      Long before we finished the laundry room I found a used ironing board cabinet for sale. I bought it and it sat in the garage for about a year before we were ready to install it. I love it. The ironing board is hidden, it’s easy to pull out and put away. It doesn’t take up a lot of room because if fits right between the studs in the wall.

      Who doesn’t love IKEA? I could spend hours in there, well, I do actually. On one of my visits I was browsing and came across this awesome fold down table. I think it is made to use in small kitchens where you don’t have a lot of room.

      When I saw this, a light came on in my head. I knew what I needed it for, my laundry room. I wanted to be able to fold the laundry in the same room, but there is no room for a table. This was the perfect solution. It works like a charm. When it’s not in use, I simply fold it down.

      While we are talking laundry, here are a few other posts you may be interested in.

      There you have it. I hope you enjoyed the little tour of my laundry room.

      Even if your washer and dryer is tucked in a closest, or it is in the basement; there are simple, inexpensive things you can do to optimize the space and improve the aesthetics.  It really does make a big difference in your desire to do laundry. I can honestly say that I don’t mind doing laundry and actually find it quite therapeutic.

      Transform your laundry room into a place where you like to be. Doing laundry can be enjoyable, if you choose.

      Start with little things and do things that are doable. (Remember, my laundry room took 2 years to complete). Make it a journey and do it with a smile!

      jan3

      Jan Howell

      Jan Howell

      Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

      Read More

      Non Toxic All-Purpose Cleaner- How to Easily Make Your Own

      non toxic all-purpose cleaner

      If you are interested in cleaning your house without toxic chemicals, this is an awesome recipe for a non toxic all-purpose cleaner that really works.  I have been making and using this cleaner for years, with great results.  The essential oils used in this blend are great germ and bacteria busters!

      This cleaner is very quick to make up and cost effective!

      all-purpose cleaner uses:

      • Toilet seat, bowl and handle
      • microwave, fridge and cabinet handles
      • faucets
      • counter tops and sinks
      • lights witches
      • and for any general cleaning purposes

      What you will need:

      • 16 oz. Spray Bottle
      • 2 teaspoons concentrated dish soap or 1 TB regular dish soap (use half that if you have soft water)
      • 30-40 drops Tea Tree, (Melaleuca) essential oil
      • Distilled or filtered water

      Other essential oils that work great are: Clove, Lemon, Geranium, Rosemary and Wild Orange. (I like to add 30 drops of Melaleuca and 10 drops of another oil).

      Mrs. Myers dish soaps are really nice to use in this cleaner because they smell so yummy! Experiment and find what smells you like. Definitely makes cleaning the bathroom a lot more enjoyable!!!

      How to make the non toxic all-purpose cleaner

      • Fill the bottle 3/4 full of water
      • Add the soap and essential oils. (Adding the soap last will keep it from foaming up and spilling all the precious essential oils out of the bottle).
      • Carefully fill the rest of the bottle up with water and shake well.
      • Shake before use.
      non toxic all-purpose cleaner

      I love these labeled bottles. The recipes for the cleaners is printed on the label that goes on the back side of the bottle. No more searching for the recipe when it comes time to make up another batch.

      non toxic all-purpose cleaner

      You can get the downloadable, printable PDF file and make your own labels.  We keep a set upstairs and one downstairs. These make great wedding shower gifts too!

      I use this waterproof sticker paper that works like a charm.

      non toxic all-purpose cleaner

      I recommend getting some cheap cotton washcloths all the same color and use them only for cleaning. That way you will know what are cleaning cloths and what are washcloths. 

      Walmart sells a set of wash cloths called Mainstays and they are only like $4.00 for 18.

      Whenever I am somewhere else cleaning, and I am using chemical cleaners, I can sure tell the difference. I get a headache and feel so yucky afterwards. You may want to think about what you are using to clean with and if you want those chemicals in your home. I have found that there ARE great alternatives out there without giving up any cleaning power.

      The best thing is, that you can make them yourselves and save a lot of money!

      Why don’t you give it a whirl!

      You may also be interested in these posts

      How to clean your grout & tile

      DIY Bathroom Cleaner 

      Non Toxic All-Purpose Cleaner- How to Easily Make Your Own

      non toxic all-purpose cleaner

      Very effective all purpose cleaner without all the chemicals. 

      • Prep Time10 min
      • Total Time10 min
      • Yield16 oz

        Ingredients

          • 16 oz. Spray Bottle
          • 2 teaspoons concentrated dish soap or 1 TB regular dish soap (use half that if you have soft water)
          • 30-40 drops Tea Tree, (Melaleuca) essential oil
          • Distilled or filtered water

        INSTUCTIONS

        1

        Fill the bottle 3/4 full of water

        2

        Add the soap and essential oils. (Adding the soap last will keep it from foaming up and spilling all the precious essential oils out of the bottle).

        3

        Carefully fill the rest of the bottle up with water and shake well.

        4

        Shake before use.

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        Jan Howell

        Jan Howell

        Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

        Read More