Having put our finalists through a battery of traditional test situations, we wanted to see how they stood up to a particularly dirty and all-too-frequent occurrence — food exploding in the microwave. Our microwave has a rotating glass tray, a plexiglass door, and plastic interior surfaces. Spray evenly in horizontal rows, six inches apart. This should ensure that the circumference of the sprays overlaps on the glass. While the end result may not be as streak-free as a window cleaned with Windex, using a homemade cleaner could be worthwhile for those who want to save some money and also want to use a product that only includes ingredients they are comfortable with.

Glycol ethers are a group of solvents that are common in many cleaners, degreasers, and water-based paints. In addition to causing a sore throat when inhaled, glycol ethers can contribute to narcosis, pulmonary edema, and severe liver and kidney damage when inhaled in significant quantities, according to the EPA. Chemicals that fall under the glycol ether umbrella include 2-Butoxyethanol (an ingredient in Weiman Glass Cleaner and Zep Streak-Free Glass Cleaner), propylene glycol (an ingredient in Windex), and methyl ether (an ingredient in Glass Plus Glass Cleaner Trigger).Seventh Generation Surface Cleaner and our DIY cleaner had more difficulty eliminating signs of the mess — especially the oily handprints. While the prints themselves were removed, residue from the oil remained on the window and left visible streaks. Even after prolonged buffing, the windows weren’t as clean as they were when we tested Windex and Zep. Mirrors While all the products we tested are liquids, they are delivered by two different methods: spray bottle and aerosol can. The offerings from Stoner and Weiman are both aerosols, though neither contains CFSs, which have been proven to slowly deplete the ozone layer. If the cleaner says that it’s safe on tinted glass, then yes. Otherwise, it can damage the surface. Ammonia-free cleaners are usually safe for windshields and other car windows. What is the best window cleaner for aluminum windows? Our homemade product successfully cleaned messes off windows, mirrors, and other surfaces. While windows and mirrors may be left with faint signs of streaking, the long-lasting, refreshing scent of your favorite essential oil — and the incredible low price of making the mixture — more than make up for the flaw.

The products from Weiman Glass Cleaner and Zep Streak-Free Glass Cleaner left behind faint streaks that were detectable depending on our angle and distance from the glass. All of the other products, including the one we made ourselves, are applied with a spray bottle. Seventh Generation Free & Clear Glass & Surface Cleaner comes in a bottle with a childproof mechanism that makes it very difficult to remove the nozzle. Even though Seventh Generation has the least objectionable ingredients, this is a nice feature to guard against accidental ingestion by children. The bottom lineOther chemicals commonly used in glass cleaners offer more protection against germs, but if used improperly, they can cause irritation to the skin and respiratory system. Vinegar is a great natural antibacterial disinfectant, but many find the smell offensive, and it sometimes fails to thoroughly clean tough jobs. When you shouldn’t use glass/window cleaner It should also be noted that not only is ammonia highly flammable, but it can also create a dangerous chemical reaction when combined with bleach. When bleach is mixed with ammonia, toxic gases called chloramines are produced. These chloramines can cause nausea, shortness of breath and fluid to accumulate in the lungs. Be sure to keep these two chemicals away from each other and away from children. Glycol ethers

The best way to clean windows without streaking is to use a 100% microfiber towel to wipe the cleaner across your windows. Using an absorbent paper towel can contribute to streaks. Can I use window cleaner on my car’s windshield?

The advantage of aerosol is that it produces more of a foaming substance when it’s applied to a surface. These foams provide more complete coverage and saturation while also breaking down difficult-to-remove fats and sediment. Ammonia is one of the most widely used chemicals in the United States. It’s mostly added to fertilizer and other agricultural products as well as cleaners, pesticides, plastics, and water purifiers. It is an active ingredient in both Windex and Zep Streak-Free Glass Cleaner. The other five products we tested are ammonia-free. Window-cleaning products became popular because they don’t leave behind the streaks that soap and other common cleaners often leave. A window or mirror looks clean when the oils and dirt are removed to reveal a crystal-clear view or reflection. But when glass is obstructed by streaky residue, it can be an eyesore.