Outdoor Window Cleaner
This outdoor window cleaner is perfect for those hard-to-reach windows, especially when you'd rather avoid climbing a ladder. You'll need a hose with a good spray nozzle, a scrubber (I recommend this one from Amazon), and a long-handled pole for those out-of-reach spots. Remember to tackle this task on a cloudy day for optimal results.
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Total Time5 minutes mins
Course: DIY Household Cleaners
Cuisine: Housekeeping
Servings: 2 gallons
Author: Mary Hunt
Cost: $1
- ½ cup dishwasher rinse aid, i.e. Finish by Jet Dry
- ½ cup isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, or denatured alcohol
- ¼ cup household ammonia, either sudsing or non-sudsing
- ⅓ cup any automatic dishwasher detergent powder, i.e. Cascade Complete
- 2 gallons hot water
Pour all ingredients into the bucket and mix well until combined.
Spray windows with the powerful spray nozzle, knocking off dirt, grime, and debris. Set the hose aside.
Dip your scrubber of choice into the solution and get it fully saturated. Don't wring it out.
Scrub the window thoroughly in all directions, making sure you reach the corners.
Spray the window again with clean water.
Let dry. That's it! Both the dishwasher detergent and rinse aid will create a "sheeting" action, to leave windows clean and streak-free. You can find a printable version of this outdoor window cleaning solution recipe below.
Note: When it comes to safety issues for pets and plants that might come in contact with this cleaner as it is rinsed away, I cannot say for sure what you should expect.
What I know is this formula has not damaged in any way anything growing in the area of the windows I've cleaned.
Here's why: many landscape fertilizers contain ammonia, and the ingredients in this cleaner are significantly diluted in the 2 gallons of water used. Additionally, they're further diluted when rinsed away.
After cleaning, I make sure to thoroughly hose off the deck, especially areas beneath windows near plants, to dilute any remaining residue. If you have concerns, I recommend conducting your own research for peace of mind.