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Martha Stewart’s DIY window cleaner is a simple mix of equal parts white vinegar and water. Put it in a spray bottle, apply a small amount to the glass when it is out of direct sun, then dry and buff the panes to help prevent streaks.
What you need
- White vinegar
- Water
- A spray bottle
- A washcloth and microfiber cloths
Martha Stewart’s April 11, 2026 recipe uses equal parts white vinegar and water. For example, combine 1 cup of each for a small batch. The article says you can adjust the ratio for a stronger solution, but does not give a specific stronger proportion.
How to make and use the cleaner
- Wait until the sun is not shining directly on the windows. Heat can make the solution dry too quickly and leave streaks or water spots.
- Combine equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
- Spray a small amount on each pane. Avoid spraying directly onto the frames.
- Wipe the glass with a washcloth slightly dampened with the vinegar-water solution.
- Dry the pane thoroughly, then buff it with a microfiber cloth.
Stewart’s March 23, 2017 window-cleaning guidance also recommends the equal-parts mixture, avoiding direct sun and frames, and finishing with a dry cloth followed by microfiber or a lint-free cloth.
What the recipe does—and does not—establish
The 2026 article attributes this statement to Stewart: “Vinegar safely kills germs and is much more economical than chemical cleaners.” That is her attributed claim; the sources do not provide a test showing that this diluted window-cleaner recipe disinfects glass. Use it as a glass-cleaning recipe, not as a proven disinfectant.
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- Can be used on all glass surfaces
- Removes fingerprints, dust, dirt and smoke film
- Streakless with fresh fragrance
- Foaming action
- Ammonia free
Do not add bleach or other cleaners to the mixture. The University of Florida IFAS household-cleaner publication warns never to mix bleach with vinegar, rubbing alcohol, ammonia or other household cleaners because the reaction can affect lung function.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How it differs from another published formula
UF/IFAS also publishes a separate window-cleaner formula: 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 cups warm water. It is not Stewart’s recipe. The cited sources do not report a controlled comparison showing which formula works better, so there is no evidence-based winner to recommend.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Ammonia free.
- Biodegradable.
- Not tested on animals
Rank #4
- Ready-to-use glass cleaner wipes out smudges, fingerprints, and more
- Effective on mirrors, windows, and other glass surfaces
- Leaves glass clean, streak-free, with a sparkling shine
- If you like Windex Original glass cleaner, we invite you to try Amazon Basics Glass Cleaner
Rank #3
- Can be used on all glass surfaces
- Removes fingerprints, dust, dirt and smoke film
- Streakless with fresh fragrance
- Foaming action
- Ammonia free
Rank #2
- What You'll Get: One 23 oz spray bottles of Windex Original Blue Glass and Window Cleaner
- Surface Cleaner: leaves an amazing streak-free shine leaving your home surfaces sparkling clean
- Works On: removing dirt, smudges, fingerprints, and other messes from your home glass surfaces
- Glass Cleaner: glass surfaces, windows, glass stovetop, shower glass, glass shower doors, aquarium glass cleaner, and more
- Windex Commitment: spray bottles made from 100% recovered coastal plastic in partnership with Plastic Bank, is post-consumer recycled plastic collected on land within 31 miles of an ocean so that it does not reach oceans or landfills.
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