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8 Best Window Cleaners in 2023: Reviews & Top Picks 

Woman cleaning a window

Woman cleaning a window_CDC_Unsplash

Cleaning your windows is one of the easiest ways to give your home a substantial cosmetic boost. One crystal clear window makes the house look more attractive as you walk up to it, and it makes the room warmer and more inviting as you walk into it.

There are plenty of reasons to give your windows some well-deserved TLC. Treat them right with the streak-free, smudge-lifting options featured in our reviews of the eight best window cleaners this year.

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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2023

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Hope’s Perfect Glass Cleaning Spray Hope’s Perfect Glass Cleaning Spray
  • Ammonia-free formula works on tinted glass and a variety of surfaces
  • Dries fast and emits a light, pleasant scent
  • Does not contain harsh chemicals
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Windex Original Windex Original
  • Relatively inexpensive
  • Eco-conscious bottle design uses 100% ocean-bound plastic
  • Refill bottles allow you to reuse spray head
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    BullSnot! VizABull Glass Cleaner BullSnot! VizABull Glass Cleaner
  • Sticks to the window without running for easy cleanup
  • Cuts through stuck-on grime
  • Best Window Cleaning Wipes
    Sprayway Glass Cleaner Wipes Sprayway Glass Cleaner Wipes
  • Ammonia-free formula is safe for numerous materials
  • Convenient to use
  • Small pack makes it easy to keep on hand
  • Best for Car Windows
    Rain-X Glass Cleaner and Rain Repellant Rain-X Glass Cleaner and Rain Repellant
  • Repels rain and sludge for several days after application
  • Easy to spray and wipe off of glass
  • The 8 Best Window Cleaners Are:

    1. Hope’s Perfect Glass Cleaning Spray — Best Overall

    Hope’s Perfect Glass Cleaning Spray

    Type: Spray bottle
    Size: 32 oz.

    Hope’s Perfect Glass cleaning spray is the best overall window cleaner because of its thoughtful blend of versatility, safety, and effectiveness. The formula relies on several solvents and cleaning agents to replace ammonia, making it less irritating but equally effective at drying fast and leaving a streak-free shine.

    With its lack of ammonia, you can take Hope’s spray to various tinted or non-tinted glass surfaces and beyond. It works as well on a mirror or glass cooktop as it does on a countertop or metal fridge door. You can also use it on your smartphone and other powered devices. Hope’s Perfect Glass spray promises its safe application and speedy results, advertising its effectiveness in fewer wipes. If you want convenience, fast action, safety, and gorgeous, haze-free glass, this is the best window cleaning spray you can buy.

    Pros
    • Ammonia-free formula works on tinted glass and a variety of surfaces
    • Dries fast and emits a light, pleasant scent
    • Does not contain harsh chemicals
    • Included microfiber cloth protects surfaces without leaving streaks
    Cons
    • Relatively expensive

    2. Windex Original – Best Value

    Windex Original

    Type: Spray bottle
    Size: 23 oz.

    Windex Original has been one of the most trusted cleaning options for decades, a classic formula that continues to compete with newer, “more advanced” cleaners. It’s a low-cost yet super-effective product that deserves recognition as the best window cleaner for the money. The spray leaves no streaks or smears, dries fast, and wipes down easily. It’s almost everything you want from a quality window cleaner.

    Windex is a powerful product that offers excellent value, but you lose some benefits by buying inexpensive. The product uses ammonia, a standard chemical agent that lifts grease and grime and evaporates fast to leave no trace. It’s what you need for windows, but it’s also a harsh additive that makes it unsuitable for some surfaces, especially tinted glass. Ammonia can be hazardous to your health, but with proper use, you should find the initial smell dissipates quickly.

    Pros
    • Relatively inexpensive
    • Eco-conscious bottle design uses 100% ocean-bound plastic
    • Refill bottles allow you to reuse spray head
    Cons
    • Initial scent can be overpowering
    • Can damage tinted glass
    • Ammonia can be a health hazard

    3. BullSnot! VizABull Glass Cleaner — Premium Choice

    BullSnot! VizABull Glass Cleaner

    Type: Spray can
    Size: 19 oz.

    The creators of BullSnot! VizABull Glass Cleaner were originally out to make a bug-removing solution for trucks when they fell into this premium formula for heavy-duty window cleaning. The fast-acting foam grabs onto surfaces to prevent drips and facilitate easy wipedowns. There’s no streaking, film, or haze, and the product leaves a refreshing scent-free of chemical smells.

    VizABull replaces ammonia with denatured alcohol to create an effective, flexible solution. You can use it on tinted or untinted windows and numerous other hard surfaces like countertops and smartphone screens without fear of degrading the material. While it’s gentle on surfaces, it’s tough on grime. It powers through everyday smudges and streaks with ease but can also take on bug splatter, road sludge, and pine resin, making it the best window cleaner for tough jobs.

    Pros
    • Sticks to the window without running for easy cleanup
    • Cuts through stuck-on grime
    • Ammonia-free formula works on a broad range of surfaces
    • Leaves a clean scent
    Cons
    • Relatively expensive
    • Aerosol can is not as eco-friendly as spray bottles

    4. Sprayway Glass Cleaner Wipes — Best Window Cleaning Wipes

    Sprayway Glass Cleaner Wipes

    Type: Single-use wipe
    Size: 20 wipes

    There are several glass cleaner wipes on the market, and while the Sprayway wipes aren’t miles ahead of the other options in terms of performance, they offer the best quality for the price. Wipes are single-piece options for convenient spot-cleaning. You may not want to tackle a whole window with wipes, but they’re the quickest solution for minor messes.

    Like Sprayway’s conventional canned cleaner, the wipes are ammonia-free, making them ideal for quick work on smartphones, tinted windows, and other sensitive surfaces. Packs carry 20 wipes. Keep them handy in your purse or car console for on-the-go cleanups.

    Pros
    • Ammonia-free formula is safe for numerous materials
    • Convenient to use
    • Small pack makes it easy to keep on hand
    • Gives off a clean scent
    Cons
    • Impractical for cleaning large areas

    5. Rain-X Glass Cleaner and Rain Repellant — Best for Car Windows

    Rain-X Glass Cleaner and Rain Repellant

    Type: Spray
    Size: 23 oz.

    An efficient window cleaner is one thing, but a window cleaner that keeps on protecting after you use it is a massive plus. That’s especially true with car windshields, which constantly face glass-dirtying rain and debris while on the road.

    Rain-X Glass Cleaner and Rain Repellant is the best window cleaner for cars because it continues to keep your windshield clean long after you use it. Spray it on and wipe away smudges, dirt, and grime for a streak-free shine. The product will continue working to make rain roll off and prevent ice, bug splatter, and road spray from sticking. The Rain-X cleaner offers optimal visibility and a safer ride, sometimes lasting weeks after you put it on.

    Pros
    • Repels rain and sludge for several days after application
    • Easy to spray and wipe off of glass
    Cons
    • Gives off odor during application

    6. Sprayway Glass Cleaner

    Sprayway Glass Cleaner

    Type: Aerosol can
    Size: 19 oz.

    Sprayway’s glass cleaner is another aerosol foam cleaner. The ammonia-free formula works on tinted and untinted windows, mirrors, granite, metal, and much more. The drip-free foam sticks on surfaces, making the toughest grime and smudges a cinch to remove. It’s strong, fast-acting, and convenient, making it a favorite for homeowners and professional cleaners.

    Pros
    • Drip-free foam prevents streaks and makes cleaning easier
    • Powerful formula removes stuck-on dirt
    Cons
    • Smell can be off-putting

    7. Stoner Invisible Glass Premium Glass & Window Cleaner

    Stoner Invisible Glass Premium Glass and Window Cleaner

    Type: Aerosol spray
    Size: 19 oz.

    Invisible Glass is an ammonia-free glass cleaner that promises a clear, streak-free shine. The formula dries quickly to prevent any hazing or leftover residue, and there’s no fragrance to irritate the nostrils. It’s a simple solution that works hard, giving you the strength and versatility to clean tons of messes and materials.

    Invisible Glass features a fantastic window cleaning formula, but the package is also worth mentioning. The aerosol can has a leak-proof EZ Grip feature that makes the application easy and worry-free. If it wasn’t one of the more expensive options on the list, it would easily contend for the top spot.

    Pros
    • EZ Grip handle prevents leaks and eases the application
    • Ammonia-free spray works on several surfaces
    • Residue-free formula dries quickly and doesn’t streak
    Cons
    • Relatively expensive

    8. Seventh Generation Glass Cleaner

    Seventh Generation Glass Cleaner

    Type: Spray bottle
    Size: 23 oz.

    Eco-conscious consumers can feel good about using Seventh Generation’s glass cleaning solution. Its primary ingredients are essential oils and other plant-derived ingredients, a biodegradable solution that can cut through grease, smudges, and dirt on windows without leaving a streaky mess. Free of harsh chemicals, dyes, and fragrances, the Seventh Generation Glass Cleaners is a safe all-around solution for glass, tile, metal, and even some wood surfaces.

    Pros
    • Biodegradable formula contains no harsh chemicals
    • Gives off a delicate seaside scent from essential oils
    Cons
    • Spray bottle nozzle breaks easily

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    Buy’s Guide: Selecting The Best Window Cleaner

    Window Cleaner Factors to Consider

    While most glass cleaners will work on typical household windows, your product choice can affect the effort and money you put into cleaning them. Along with the cost of the window cleaner, the following are some crucial aspects to consider to make the best purchase.

    Type

    Window cleaning liquids typically come in three forms: sprays, foams, and wipes. Foams are easy to target and generally stick to vertical surfaces better than sprays. They’re great for hard-to-remove grease, grime, and water spots. Wipes are a handy convenience for on-the-fly glass cleaning, whether you need to remove a bug off your car window or refresh your smartphone screen.

    Ingredients and Uses

    Ammonia is a traditional active ingredient in window cleaners because it lifts dirt and evaporates quickly, but it’s also a harsh chemical. It isn’t healthy to breathe in and can harm certain surfaces, notably tinted glass. Many people opt for ammonia-free options that use alcohol or other solvents instead. They’re generally safer, better-smelling, and usable in more places without risking damage.

    It’s crucial to read labels and usage instructions to ensure the product is safe to use on the surface you wish to clean. Look at ingredients and safety information if you use the product around other people or pets.

    What Should I Use To Wipe Down Windows?

    Most window cleaning products recommend paper towels or microfiber cloths to wipe down windows. A microfiber cloth is the best solution because it rarely leaves lint behind and is reusable. Chamois cloths also work well as an alternative.

    If you do not have any reusable microfiber cloths, you still have a few more options to consider before you reach for the paper towels. Newspaper and coffee filters are two excellent materials for wiping down glass surfaces. They don’t leave lint and streaks behind and are soft enough to prevent any marring on the surface.

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    Conclusion

    Clean windows offer a world of benefits. They can instantly improve the mood of a room and enhance the looks of a home. In the car, they make everyday driving a much safer and less frustrating ordeal. It may not seem like the most critical decision you can make, but a quality window cleaner can have resounding effects on your comfort and satisfaction. We chose Hope’s Perfect Glass Cleaning Spray as our top pick because of its ammonia-free formula that dries fast. Our best value selection was Windex Original for its affordable price and reusable bottle. With these reviews of the best window cleaners available, you’ll find an excellent solution for any window-cleaning task.


    Featured Image Credit: CDC, Unsplash

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