How To Clean Kitchen Window

How To Use Vinegar to Clean Your Kitchen Windows

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Have things been looking a little dim in your kitchen lately? Unless a lightbulb has gone out, it's likely that your windows are dirty. (Sorry to break the news!) It's not your fault: Kitchen windows get pretty grimy pretty quickly — grease splatters and steam can launch tiny particles of food throughout the room —creating a thin, gray-ish film on your used-to-be-clear windows.

You might not notice this film day to day, but over time it can block sunlight and get harder to clean, too. So about twice a year, take the time to clean the insides of your windows. Do it on a cloudy day, because direct sunlight can make your cleaning solution dry too fast, leaving streaks. Once you get in the habit of these biannual cleanings, it should only take a few minutes to do each window, and the results — a lighter, brighter kitchen — are totally worth it!

You can pick up a commercial window cleaner to do the job, or you can whip up your own cleaner using household products you probably already own.

The Power of Vinegar

All you need to make your own window cleaner? Some white distilled vinegar and hot water. You see, vinegar is acidic (more acidic than coffee and orange juice!), and that's what makes it so good at counteracting icky buildups — especially the stuff that tends to collect on your windows. The best part? It won't leave streaks behind!

How To Clean Your Kitchen Windows

What You Need

Ingredients

White distilled vinegar
Hot water

Equipment

Bowl or measuring cup
Funnel (optional)
Spray bottle
Dish soap (optional)
Microfiber cloth

Instructions

Make the mixture: Combine 1 part vinegar with 1 part hot water in a bowl or measuring cup.
Pour it into a bottle: Using a funnel if necessary, pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
Test a spot: Spray a small amount of the solution into a corner of the window to see if the vinegar-water solution will remove the grime. If your windows are really greasy, you may need to pre-wash them with a degreasing dish soap (like the one you use on your daily dishes), then follow with the mixture.
Start at the top: Spray the solution over a small area at the top of your window pane, covering about one square foot. Don't spritz on so much that it drips down the window, because it won't have a chance to work its magic before it drips. Let sit for a few moments.
Wipe it up: Using the microfiber cloth, rub the area in a horizontal, then vertical motion until all the solution is gone. Repeat in that same area if necessary. Then, continue cleaning, working with small areas at a time. Work your way down the window in imaginary rows.

Ayn-Monique Klahre

Contributor

Ayn-Monique is a lifestyle editor and writer who's worked for Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, FamilyFun and more. She loves lattes, jogging and hanging out at the playground with her husband and daughters.

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