Keep windows streak free For perfectly clear windows, you can add a few drops of methylated spirits to a clean, dry and lint-free cloth and give the windows a wipe down. The methylated spirits will evaporate within a few seconds leaving crystal clear and shiny windows behind.
It is a neutral cleaner. This means it is safe to use on most surfaces in your bathroom, including grout. Methylated spirits is safe to use on glass, sinks, chrome taps, ceramic, stone, marble and grout. (Do not use on painted or varnished surfaces).
Also avoid any cleaners which contain Hydrofluoric or Phosphoric acid as they are corrosive to glass surfaces. If cleaning a mirror simply wipe the surface with a few drops of methylated spirits using a damp cloth.
Thicker terry cloth microfibers work well, but thin flat-weave microfiber cloths, like the ones found in an E-Cloth Window Cleaning Kit, are even less prone to leaving behind streaks or lint on glass. You don't have to relearn how to clean a mirror without streaks when using microfiber cloths, either.
Use a cleaning solution: Like Glass-Rite cleaner! Or we also recommend a simple solution of equal parts vinegar and water, a Windex solution in water is good also. Do not use glass cleaners that are ammonia or alcohol based. They may leave streaks or make a film that attracts moisture or dust.
In a spray bottle, combine ¼ cup of white vinegar with ½ teaspoon of liquid dish soap. Dilute the solution with 2 cups of water, then shake the bottle vigorously to mix the components. If you don't have white vinegar on hand, you can substitute it with lemon juice.
Use soap and water, commercial glass cleaner, or a mixture of one part white vinegar and four parts water (preferably distilled water). Avoid cleaning glass in direct sunlight to avoid streaking. Start from the top of the window and work your way down.
Methylated Spirits Uses
It is an effective solvent in the paints, lacquers and varnish industry. You will also find that it is found in a lot of cosmetics such as toners and makeup brush cleaners. It can be used as a window cleaner, spray and wipe disinfectant, and a steriliser.
Methylated spirits is 70-99% ethanol with bittering agents added to give it an intensely unpleasant taste to discourage consumption. It is poisonous by nature of its very high ethanol content, and even small a small drink can lead to headache, dizziness, gastric disorder, nausea and central nervous system depression.
Methylated Spirits (100%) leaves no residue after evaporation.
Cleaning showerscreen glass
To clean, apply a reputable, ammonia-free glass cleaner or methylated spirits to the glass. Wipe in a circular motion with a clean non-abrasive lint-free cloth. Polish the surface with a clean lint-free cloth.
The most common professional window cleaning solution recipe is filtered or distilled water and dish soap. Just a few spoonfuls of dish soap is all that's needed to create foam for gliding and to help break up any grease and dirt on the glass during cleaning.
Instead of using standard cleaning products, get a bucket of water and mix it with dishwashing detergent or vinegar. Apply this cleaning solution to the glass using a long window scrubber. Grab a squeegee and pull its blade over the glass in a reverse “S” pattern.
A big problem is the evaporation rate. If you're cleaning your windows on a warm sunny day, the liquid part of the solution evaporates quickly and leaves behind a residue that appears as streaks. On the other hand, if you don't entirely remove the liquid you can also be left with a streaky window.
Perhaps your windows haven't even had the dirt removed properly. This can happen if you keep reusing a sponge that isn't being washed frequently. Or if the technique used is sloppy and not thorough. And some squeegees give a really patchy finish, especially poorer quality models not designed for professional use.
Window cleaning spray (either a natural or commercial cleaner); or a bucket of hot, soapy water (washing up liquid is best). A clean, soft cloth (an old T-shirt or cotton sheet is fine) or scrunched-up newspaper, for polishing windows and making them sparkle. A big sponge, to apply the soapy water.
Your glass cleaner could be behind those pesky mirror streaks! Many commercial glass cleaners have cleaning agents like ammonia and detergent, which can end up streaking your mirror. So this means you cannot clean mirrors with Windex anymore? Not necessarily, but if you want to avoid streaks, less is better.
The biggest no-no when it comes to getting your mirrors clean is using paper towels. Paper towels are both single-use and leave teeny tiny bits of residue that can create an even bigger mess. In order to achieve a streak-free shine, use a microfiber cloth.