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Windows can get dirty easily and it’s easy to see why. They are meant to be completely translucent for us to be able to use them properly. The windows in our cars and homes are prone to collect dust, pollen, bugs, and many other types of debris from the outside world, and even the smallest spots are noticeable on a surface that is supposed to be spotless. We need a glass cleaner that promises us no streaks or spotty dry marks and actually delivers. The market for cleaners nowadays is enormous and overwhelming. Every brand claims to be “the best glass cleaner, the one-stop solution!” but it can be impossible to tell which brands will stand behind their claims.
Our purpose for writing you this article today is to help you decide which of the best glass cleaners on the market will fit your needs and to make some suggestions that will make your life easier.
Product FAQs
We found and answered a few of the most frequently asked questions from curious customers looking to effectively clean glass items with the best glass cleaners they can find on the market. Our goal is to answer a few questions you may have as well as provide helpful hints and tips as to how to properly clean one’s windows and which best glass cleaner brands are worth buying.
1. Is There a Single “Best” Kind of Glass Cleaner out There?
The market has more than its fair share of countless glass cleaner types and that can confuse and overwhelm a buyer new to the market. While there is a dizzying number of glass cleaners out there we firmly believe the best glass cleaner out there is car glass cleaners for several reasons. First, auto glass cleaners have a different chemical formulation to help guarantee there be no haze. Development of haze on glass typically occurs when the surface gets in contact with contaminants for a long time (such as bad weather).
Car cleaner cuts through the layer of mineral deposits that build up on your car’s surface which eliminates hazing. Auto glass cleaner also does not cause streaks like others that leave a waxy or oily residue; this improves the shine but is also a magnet for anything that lands on the surface. The best glass cleaner is formulated to do a good job of providing one a clear glass surface to see through on the road.
Car glass cleaners also cut through stubborn stains and surface contaminants that ordinary all-purpose soap and water will not be able to take on. These stains only cause more streaks the more one tries to remove them with a poor cleaner, with the right cleaner you will get to the bottom of the problem and eliminate it immediately so past streaks and losing battles are things of the past.
2. Tips for Properly Using the Best Glass Cleaner?
Most people overlook this or find it unnecessary, but it is important for one to wear protective gear while handling the best glass cleaner. Countless amounts of people are sensitive to chemicals and it’s better to be safe than take the risk if you happen to be one of those people. Wear gloves whenever you can and consider a face mask if you are using an aerosol spray. Inhaling irritants and pollutants like aerosol could permanently influence the lungs in harmful ways.
Another commonly overlooked good idea is making sure you have the right rag. Car glass cleaner manufacturers will usually have specific rag recommendations you should use with their products. High-quality microfiber towels are always a good choice, look for the rating on the label and don’t settle for anything less than 300 GSM or better. Pick out a lint-free rag and make sure it can produce an electrostatic charge. This important for lifting particles up off the surface of the glass rather than dragging it around and creating streaks. Never use old t-shirts, socks, or regular towels. These will streak and scratch.Using linear movements with your rag will ensure you systematically get every spot. This also reduces the number of possible streaks. As a side note, did you know cleaning the inside of a surface produces better results if you wipe in a vertical motion? No one knows why, but we can all agree it works. It is a good idea to consider using two separate rags for cleaning and buffing. When cleaning with a rag, the dirt and grime will cling to it and we don’t want that transferring from one section to another section. Using two rags will eliminate this.
It is always better to clean in the shade; conventional liquid-type car glass cleaners are not ideal for use in direct sunlight. The sun makes evaporation occur faster which increases the risk of streaks and spotty residues.
3. I Need to Clean Windows, What Equipment Will I Need?
You should have a residue-free and surface-specific glass cleaner that will properly fit your window’s needs. You will also need an appropriate microfiber cleaning towel with at least a 300 GSM rating. It is better to go with a lint-free one that can produce a good electrostatic charge to pick up the dirt and grime.Always remember your protective gear! Gloves all the time and consider goggles and a face mask for aerosol sprays.
4. Where Can I Buy the Best Glass Cleaner?
Supermarkets such as Walmart will usually have sparse selections of cheaper glass cleaning products, but we recommend the best glass cleaner to be the auto type which can be found at any auto store such as O’Reily’s, Advance Auto, and NAPA Auto Parts among others. Online sites are becoming a more popular place to shop nowadays as they offer wide selections of lots of brands with competitive pricing. Online shops usually also have customer reviews one can view before buying and manufacturer testimonies.
We have included Amazon links to all the items on our list of the ten best glass cleaners so you can look at the items, the full range of reviews, and familiarize yourself with the products.
5. Overall Price Range Of the Best Glass Cleaner Products?
Glass cleaners are typically more expensive because of their specially designed formulas. Higher end aerosol sprays that produce foam and are formulated to stick to a surface without dripping will be on the higher end of the range while run-of-the-mill formulas will be on the lower end.
How We Reviewed
We picked out and thoroughly reviewed the top ten glass cleaner products based on the following parameters: features, pros, cons, price, where to buy and find more information on the product, and its respective Amazon Rating. We hope this list will make your search for the right glass cleaner easier and less overwhelming and provide you with the information you need to know to decide if any product is the right one for you! We reviewed:
- Meguiar’s G8224 Perfect Clarity Glass Cleaner
- Sprayway Glass Cleaner Aerosol Spray
- Hope’s Perfect Glass Cleaner
- Stoner Solutions Invisible Glass Cleaner
- Driven Extreme Duty Glass Cleaner
- Safelite Autoglass Glass Cleaner
- Invisible Glass Premium Glass Cleaning Kit
- Adam’s Perfect Vision Glass Cleaner & Sealant Combo
- 3M 08888 Glass Cleaner
- Griot’s Garage 11108 Window Cleaner
Comparison Table
[amazon box=”B006FUT09G,B0052V1JA2,B001FOPQG8,B000M3V95U,B0021YZER2,B016MNRN62,B001T9CG9E,B010CEGY8U,B0002JMQ24,B002L2CFR6″ template=”table”]
Meguiar’s G8224 Perfect Clarity Glass Cleaner
[amazon box=”B006FUT09G”]
from 385 reviews
Features
This professional-grade cleaning formula gets rid of dirt and stubborn grime with a unique, easy-to-use spray pre-mixed for safe home use.
Pros
- Anti-haze formula
- Safe for tinted windows
Cons
- Expensive
- Can leave a residue and streaks
Sprayway Glass Cleaner Aerosol Spray
[amazon box=”B0052V1JA2″]
from 385 reviews
Features
This cleaner sticks to surfaces and does not roll, making it perfect for slanted windows. The foam it leaves clings strongly to glass and breaks up leftover grime.
Pros
- Amazon’s Choice
- No-drip formula
- Foaming formulation
Cons
- May streak
- Some dislike the odor
- The aerosol is harmful to the lungs and environment
Hope’s Perfect Glass Cleaner
[amazon box=”B001FOPQG8″]
from 119 reviews
Features
This cleaner features premium ingredients that set it apart from others, such as glycol ether which is a helpful chemical that breaks down water-based soil.
Pros
- Available in packs of 1, 6, or 12
- Affordable
- Almost no scent
Cons
- May leave a haze
- The spray nozzle can be too harsh
Stoner Solutions Invisible Glass Cleaner
[amazon box=”B000M3V95U”]
from 906 reviews
Features
This no-streak or haze formula will clean difficult grime from any and all glass surfaces. It has a complex, non-abrasive and non-foaming formula that evaporates 100% and leaves nothing behind.
Pros
- Available in packs of 1, 3, or 4
- Removes dirt, dust, sap, droppings, bugs, grease, adhesives, fingerprints, smudges, smoke hazes, plasticizer film, pollutants, etc.
Cons
- Not for use in direct sunlight
- May fog windows
Driven Extreme Duty Glass Cleaner
[amazon box=”B0021YZER2″]
from 526 reviews
Features
When you’ve had enough of those stubborn grime spots, turn to Driven Extreme for help. It is formulated to clean harder glass deposits like calcium and mineral buildup and can handle salt spray deposits.
Pros
- Amazon’s Choice
- Takes care of salt and hard water spots
- The toughest product of its type
Cons
- Expensive
- Extreme solution (not needed for mildly dirty windows)
- Too much pressure will scratch the glass
Safelite Autoglass Glass Cleaner
[amazon box=”B016MNRN62″]
from 235 reviews
Features
The trusted brand of Safelight brings you an ammonia-free professional grade formula that effectively dissolves grime and has a great smelling sent.
Pros
- Affordable
- Available in packs of 2, 4, or 12
- Ammonia and heavy fume-free
Cons
- Not available singularly
- Powerful; use with caution
Invisible Glass Premium Glass Cleaning Kit
[amazon box=”B001T9CG9E”]
from 1,312 reviews
Features
This aerosol formula won’t drip and will cling to grime and break through it effectively. Not only does it break down stubborn dirt, it also removes the thin plaque-like film that bonds to the surface of the glass. No hazing or streak marks here!
Pros
- Amazon’s Choice
- Available in 1, 6, or 12 packs with or without microfiber cloths and EZ grip
Cons
- The aerosol is harmful to the lungs and the environment
- Poor spray can durability
Adam’s Perfect Vision Glass Cleaner & Sealant Combo
[amazon box=”B010CEGY8U”]
from 19 reviews
Features
This unique all-in-one experience comes with a cleaner with a clear formulation that will reduce surface tension in the glass to help keep its shine for longer, as well as a separate sealer that will repel any water that hits the glass. This will prevent water spots from forming as well.
Pros
- Comes with cleaner and sealant in separate formulas
- No-streak formula
Cons
- Top of the spray bottle is brittle and may not last
- Expensive
3M 08888 Glass Cleaner
[amazon box=”B0002JMQ24″]
from 135 reviews
Features
This no-drip formula cleaner is heavy duty and professional-grade. This tough aerosol-based cleaner is a heal-all solution for many surfaces.
Pros
- Can be used on vinyl and interior plastic as well
- Sprays foam
- Sticks to surface and does not run
Cons
- The aerosol is bad for the lungs and the environment
Griot’s Garage 11108 Window Cleaner
[amazon box=”B002L2CFR6″]
from 122 reviews
Features
This ammonia-free formula applies evenly onto glass and won’t drip down vertical or slanted surfaces. It is earth-friendly despite being an aerosol product and cuts oils and grease easily.
Pros
- No dyes
- Pleasant citrus scent
- No residue
- Available in 35 oz. or one gallon
Cons
- Alcohol-based
- Some harmful fumes still generated (use in a vented area)
The Verdict
There are countless cleaner products for glass out there, and we hope we have given you a few things to consider when deciding your next cleaner purchase. Our recommendation for particularly tough and neglected windows with lots of grime stuck to them is the tougher aerosol sprays, but these will be more expensive as well as harmful to the environment. If you are someone who is worried about these things, we recommend revered brands like Hope’s and Safelight.
