Part of proper car care and maintenance is cleaning car windows. They are one of the more immediately visible parts of a vehicle, so it goes without saying that we want them to be flawlessly spotless.
To do that, it is important to know how to clean car windows without streaks.
Cleaning car windows is not only vital for the aesthetics, but also for the service life of your vehicle as a whole.
In short, these are the steps that you need to take:
- Find a good place to work
- Brush off any loose dust, dirt, and sand
- Spray the solution and wipe with a microfiber cloth or towel
- Spare more time and an effort for stubborn stains
- Use a fresh cloth to buff the finish
- Move onto cleaning the interior windows.
Aside from the details of each step, we will unveil information about what to use to clean car windows. So, do not miss this chance to learn about the best way to clean car windows without streaks.
6 Steps To Clean Car Windows and Not Leave Any Streaks.
Getting streak-free car windows does not have to be rocket science. Read carefully and follow the steps below!
What You Will Need to Have.
Gather the following materials:
- An auto glass cleaner,
It is extremely critical to invest in a quality auto glass cleaner. It can “make” or “break” your cleaning experience. A good cleaner should be equipped with an effective but simultaneously safe formula. It can be fragranced, but it does not have to be. Typically, fragranced solutions contain harsh chemicals that you do not want on your windows.
Avoid ammonia-based cleaners. Even though there are plenty of them in the market, they do more harm than good because they can damage other car parts, including leather, rubber, or vinyl. Ammonia is a chemical that also releases pungent and toxic fumes. Needless to say, it is dangerous.
Cleaners with ammonia tend to leave more streaks on car windows. On top of that, if not addressed properly, they will deteriorate the glass over time.
There are cleaners of all prices. You can find products for as little as $10 and as much as $100. Although expensive products tend to go hand-in-hand with better performance, do not splurge! You will surely be able to find one that suits your budget.
A few reliable brands that you can consider when looking for an auto glass cleaner are Sprayway and Invisible Glass.
If you are not a fan of store-bought solutions, you can opt for a homemade car window cleaner. It is substantially cheaper. Plus, the ingredients are not difficult to find.
You may even have them readily available at home. In detail, you will need rubbing alcohol, distilled water, white vinegar, and a spray bottle.
In the bottle, mix rubbing alcohol and distilled water with a 1:1 ratio. Then, add a tablespoon of white vinegar. Cap the bottle and shake it to blend all the ingredients well.
Top Tip: If you can get a funnel, it will be easier to pour the liquids into the bottle.
That’s it! It’s really as easy as it sounds. The entire process from A to Z should be under 10 minutes. It is a good idea to have this spray bottle always handy on your car as you can take it out to wipe down windows anytime.
- Two sets of microfiber cloths or towels
Microfiber cloths or towels are best when it comes to car care and maintenance. Even though you may be tempted to use just any rags that you can grab, having a microfiber product dedicated to car cleaning is rewarding.
These cloths or towels are a lot more absorbent, thus, they make cleaning more effective and easy. They are lint-free, which translates to minimal streaks and debris. What’s more, they are soft and will not cause scratches.
You can easily find microfiber cloths or towels in the market. There are a lot of options. For their value, they are not a lot pricier than typical cotton rags. A few reliable brands that offer these microfiber cloths and towels are Meguiar, Mothers, Chemical Guys, and Gyeon.
When you have everything, you are ready to proceed.
What You Will Need to Do
Step 1: Find a good place to work
Before you delve into action, find a good place to work. It should be away from direct sunlight and strong winds. Also, it should be spacious and uncluttered.
Hold the microfiber cloth or towel that you have prepared in one hand and the auto window cleaner in another. Begin with the exterior windows from one side, then move onto the other side, and finish with the interiors in the same order.
Step 2: Brush off any loose dust, dirt, and sand
Before you use the solution, brush off any dust, dirt, and sand with your cloth. This is a very important step to make sure that you will not cause any abrasion or scratches later.
Step 3: Spray the solution and wipe with a cloth or towel
Then, simply spray the solution onto the windows and wipe with a cloth or towel. Do not spray too much at once because it may drip down quickly and leave streaks if forgotten about. Also, make sure that your applications are even.
Plus, it is best to spray by sections. If you spray all the windows at once and work too slowly, the solution will dry and leave unsightly spots.
Apply just enough force to remove all the stubborn stains but not damage the integrity of your vehicle’s windows. Make sure you use up-and-down or back-and-forth motions rather than circular scrubbing.
Wipe until the surface that you are working on is free of contaminants and grime. It may take a bit of time and effort, but rest assured that it will be worth it.
Step 4: Spare more time and effort for stubborn stains
For more persistent stains, like those from bird droppings and splattered bugs, you will have to apply tighter pressure. You can also spray the solution directly over it and let it sit for two to three minutes. This will give it time to break down the stain and make wiping easier.
While you are at it, clean the head of the car and the windshield as well. You can use the back of your hand for increased leverage. Be mindful of the rubber seals. Here, if possible, get a toothbrush to reach the nooks and crannies. Also, be attentive with the wiper blades.
Step 5: Use a fresh cloth to buff the finish
Now, switch to a new, fresh cloth. Use it to wipe over the solutions, buffing the finish. Remember, your end goal is maximum shine and clarity.
Top Tip: Be sure to keep the two batches of cloth separate to avoid accidentally using the filthy cloth and smearing your just-cleaned windows.
Step 6: Move onto cleaning the interior windows
Once you are done with the exteriors, repeat the steps for the interior. For this, it is feasible to work from the inside of your car. In particular, work from the passenger seat when cleaning the windshield.
Another point to keep in mind when cleaning the interiors is spraying the solution onto the cloth or towel instead of directly onto the windows. This guarantees that no quick dripping residue can make its way to the fabric and cushioned parts of your vehicle. It is the key to clean inside car windows without streaks.
To complete, you just have to let the windows air dry! An additional step that you can take is applying a sealant or water repellant. This will make sure that any water that comes into contact with your windows in the future will roll right off.
By the same token, stains are less likely and you will not have to clean your windows as often and as tediously. For more on the sealant application.
So, you have just gone through all the steps for the best way to clean auto glass. It wasn’t rocket science, right? You just have to be patient and wash diligently. Cleaning car windows is a methodical process, so do not try to rush it!
Conclusion
So, with that, you have reached the end of this article. Hopefully, you have gotten a satisfactory answer to “How to clean car windows without streaks?”
If you have any other follow-up questions or thoughts on this topic, feel free to leave a comment. We are always super delighted to hear from our readers. So, do not hesitate. Also, share this with your friends, family, and anyone you think will appreciate the content.
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