How to Clean Car Windows Without Streaks
June 17th, 2020 by Fix Auto USA
Cleaning your car windows without streaks may seem difficult, but there are many things you can do to keep your windows streak-free.
How to Clean Windows Without Streaks: What You Need to Know
Some of the best things you can do to clean your car windows without streaks include:
1. Keep Your Car Out of Direct Sunlight
White streaks sometimes form on your car windows if you leave your vehicle in direct sunlight after cleaning. To avoid this problem, clean your windows in the shade. You should also thoroughly wipe away any cleaning agents you use on your windows before they dry.
2. Take Advantage of a Low-Pile Microfiber Towel
A low-pile microfiber towel is more absorbent than a traditional cleaning cloth, which makes it a great option for streak-free car window cleaning. Therefore, you should pick up a low-pile microfiber towel and use it to scrub your car windows clean. This helps you thoroughly clean your car windows without the risk of streaks.
3. Work from the Passenger Seat to Clean Your Windshield’s Interior
Cleaning your car’s windshield requires you to work on the inside and outside of your vehicle. When you clean the inside of your windshield, work from the passenger seat. That way, you won’t have to worry about moving your body around your steering wheel to clean your windshield.
4. Roll Down the Windows
In addition to cleaning the surface of your car windows, you’ll want to clean the top of your driver and passenger-side windows. To do so, roll down the windows about halfway. Then, you’ll have easy access to the top of the windows and can clean them accordingly.
5. Take Your Time
You may be tempted to try to clean your car windows as quickly as possible, but the best way to clean car windows involves a slow, steady process. Take the time necessary to clean your car windows properly, and you can enjoy streak-free windows that look great and won’t hamper your visibility when driving.
Is Cleaning Windows with Vinegar Safe and Effective?
Cleaning a windshield with vinegar is safe and effective, as it allows you to use a non-toxic, anti-bacterial substance that may be more economical than many chemical cleaning solutions. Plus, vinegar is not harmful if it is accidentally ingested or inhaled, and it works quickly to break down film that can accumulate on the surface of car windows.
There are several ways to use vinegar to clean car windows, including:
1. Apply a Combination of Hot Water and Distilled Vinegar
Together, a 50/50 mix of hot water and distilled vinegar provides a powerful car window cleaning solution. Apply this mixture generously across your windows.
2. Clean Car Windows with Vinegar and a Sponge
Sponge cleaning is a viable option for cleaning car windows with vinegar. First, moisten the car window you want to clean. You can then apply vinegar to the window with a sponge.
3. Clean Car Windows with Vinegar and a Squeegee
A squeegee is a terrific option for cleaning a car with vinegar, because it enables you to clean each window from the top down. Apply vinegar to a car window, then use a squeegee to clean the window. Also, wipe down the edge of the squeegee after each stroke.
4. Apply White Vinegar
White vinegar is one of the strongest solutions to clean car windows. Therefore, if you’re dealing with significant window grime, you can apply white vinegar directly to your car windows for fast, efficient cleaning.
Is Cleaning Windows with Ammonia Safe and Effective?
Many glass cleaning products contain ammonia, a chemical compound that emits a pungent smell. Ammonia-based products can help you clean your car windows, but they pose risks.
Ammonia-based cleaners may damage car surfaces that consist of rubber, leather, or vinyl. They also emit fumes that can be dangerous, so if you use an ammonia-based cleaner, you should always do so outdoors.
Let’s not forget about the streaks that ammonia-based cleaners may leave behind on your car windows, either. If ammonia-based cleaners are not properly removed from car windows after cleaning, they may damage the glass over time, too.
What Should You Do If You Damage Your Windows When You Clean Them?
If you notice window damage as you clean your car windows, don’t wait to get help. A window crack or any other damage can lead to serious problems if it goes unaddressed. Thankfully, an expert auto body repair shop can help you correct window issues right away.
An auto body repair shop can evaluate any window damage and immediately perform a window repair or replacement. The shop employs auto professionals who can assess any window damage and determine the best way to address this problem. They can also provide additional car window cleaning tips and recommendations, so you can keep your windows streak- and damage-free going forward.
You may have the best intentions when you clean your car windows, but window damage can sometimes occur. In these instances, don’t stress. Instead, reach out to an auto body repair shop, and you can get the assistance you need to quickly repair or replace a defective car window.
This blog post was contributed by Fix Auto Watsonville a leading industry expert and collision repair shop servicing the greater Silicon Valley, San Jose, and San Francisco area.
Welcome to
Fix Auto USA
We are the premier independent body shop network delivering world-class customer service and high-quality collision repairs across the U.S.