Stupid Question: How to effectively clean interior windows?

[skpyle]

Hello All,

I feel idiotic for having to ask this, but how do you all effectively clean your interior windows? Specifically the windshield?

In times gone by, I have used Windex and newspapers quite effectively in other vehicles. Nice clean windshield, no streaks, no residue.

On my 2013 Escalade ESV (and my wife's 2008 Chevrolet Equinox LTZ), I cannot get the windshield clean to save my life!
The front door windows are tinted, so I don't use ammonia based cleaners. I had tried Invisible Glass, but it kept leaving residue that would show up on chilly mornings. IE fog the windshield, if that makes sense. Or, in direct sunlight, you can see a residue.

Searching on the internet, I found suggestions to use isopropyl alcohol to clean the windshield first, then Invisible Glass. That sorta worked better. Procedure was to spray alcohol on a microfiber rag, then clean part of the windshield. Do it again with a different side of the rag. Then do the same with the Invisible Glass.
I still had streaks and or residue.

Sooooo...thinking about it(which appears to be dangerous for me), I decided that I wasn't using enough of either. Meaning the rag was too dry. So, I drowned the rag in alcohol. Dried the windshield with a new microfiber cloth. Then drowned a rag in Invisible glass. Then dried the windshield with a new microfiber cloth.
And that left awful streaks and residue.


Please offer me advice so I can effectively clean the interior windows of my Escalade!

Thanks

 

[Geotrash]

Hello All,

I feel idiotic for having to ask this, but how do you all effectively clean your interior windows? Specifically the windshield?

In times gone by, I have used Windex and newspapers quite effectively in other vehicles. Nice clean windshield, no streaks, no residue.

On my 2013 Escalade ESV (and my wife's 2008 Chevrolet Equinox LTZ), I cannot get the windshield clean to save my life!
The front door windows are tinted, so I don't use ammonia based cleaners. I had tried Invisible Glass, but it kept leaving residue that would show up on chilly mornings. IE fog the windshield, if that makes sense. Or, in direct sunlight, you can see a residue.

Searching on the internet, I found suggestions to use isopropyl alcohol to clean the windshield first, then Invisible Glass. That sorta worked better. Procedure was to spray alcohol on a microfiber rag, then clean part of the windshield. Do it again with a different side of the rag. Then do the same with the Invisible Glass.
I still had streaks and or residue.

Sooooo...thinking about it(which appears to be dangerous for me), I decided that I wasn't using enough of either. Meaning the rag was too dry. So, I drowned the rag in alcohol. Dried the windshield with a new microfiber cloth. Then drowned a rag in Invisible glass. Then dried the windshield with a new microfiber cloth.
And that left awful streaks and residue.


Please offer me advice so I can effectively clean the interior windows of my Escalade!

Thanks

I use a mixture of vinegar and water with newspapers or a microfiber towel. Works great.

 

[Doubeleive]

Hello All,

I feel idiotic for having to ask this, but how do you all effectively clean your interior windows? Specifically the windshield?

In times gone by, I have used Windex and newspapers quite effectively in other vehicles. Nice clean windshield, no streaks, no residue.

On my 2013 Escalade ESV (and my wife's 2008 Chevrolet Equinox LTZ), I cannot get the windshield clean to save my life!
The front door windows are tinted, so I don't use ammonia based cleaners. I had tried Invisible Glass, but it kept leaving residue that would show up on chilly mornings. IE fog the windshield, if that makes sense. Or, in direct sunlight, you can see a residue.

Searching on the internet, I found suggestions to use isopropyl alcohol to clean the windshield first, then Invisible Glass. That sorta worked better. Procedure was to spray alcohol on a microfiber rag, then clean part of the windshield. Do it again with a different side of the rag. Then do the same with the Invisible Glass.
I still had streaks and or residue.

Sooooo...thinking about it(which appears to be dangerous for me), I decided that I wasn't using enough of either. Meaning the rag was too dry. So, I drowned the rag in alcohol. Dried the windshield with a new microfiber cloth. Then drowned a rag in Invisible glass. Then dried the windshield with a new microfiber cloth.
And that left awful streaks and residue.


Please offer me advice so I can effectively clean the interior windows of my Escalade!

Thanks

your windows should not be getting that dirty
do you smoke?
or drive around a lot with the windows down? particularly around dirt fields, farms, unpaved roads?
windows do not just get dirty on there own, there is some other cause.

 

[Fless]

your windows should not be getting that dirty
do you smoke?
or drive around a lot with the windows down? particularly around dirt fields, farms, unpaved roads?
windows do not just get dirty on there own, there is some other cause.

I disagree. All the plastic in these offgasses and puts a film on the glass (and other parts where it's not noticed so much). It's ongoing. Forever.

 

[strutaeng]

Yeah, it's the off gasing of the plastics leaving an oil residue. I tried the alcohol before windex and it did work.

Lately I've been using a general cleaning concentration of purple power and that seems to okay as well for the oil. I don't really measure the dilution, just add some of the concentrate, maybe 2-3 ounces per 32 oz squirt bottle - ish.

The problem is the oil always shows back up in a few months.

 

[George B]

I have found that after cleaning with windex I just go back with a dry dish towel and dry clean the glass. I especially like to do it facing the sun when the angle is low so I can see if I got it.

 

[Doubeleive]

I disagree. All the plastic in these offgasses and puts a film on the glass (and other parts where it's not noticed so much). It's ongoing. Forever.

well I live in here in the hot california central valley where the interior gets to be 150deg+ surrounded by dusty dirty farmland. I only need to clean the inside front & back side windows maybe 3-4 times a year and I drive around with the windows down often unless it's over 90deg. That explanation doesn't make sense to me.
I just cleaned the inside front window maybe 2 weeks ago with windex and some papertowels followed up with some ammonia free "sprayway" and i probably won't have to clean it again until spring time
the 4 door windows get cleaned more i have a gang of kids that can't keep there fingers off of them

If I go somewhere and there is a dirt road and I have the windows down then I fully expect that I am going to a get a full coating of dust every where inside
I have not smoked in 25+ years but used too and I know people that do and smoke leaves a "film" on everything, even inside the smallest cracks and on all surfaces

just seems to me that there must be some other reason. I have pretty fair vision I do not wear glasses or contacts, if the kids have been climbing around inside and managed to fingerprint the front inside glass I can see it, so I don't think I am missing anything.

maybe it happens more in other environments, I don't know
if my daily drive took me 4 miles down a dirt road I would expect dust even with the windows up all the time

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I need to clean the inside of my windows, because my White German Shepherds put their noses all over them.

Using newspaper as the wiper material has always given me the best results.

 

[skpyle]

your windows should not be getting that dirty
do you smoke?
or drive around a lot with the windows down? particularly around dirt fields, farms, unpaved roads?
windows do not just get dirty on there own, there is some other cause.

I agree, but I have not found a cause. I do not smoke. I rarely drive with the windows down, as I am an A/C freak. I rarely drive on a dirt road. 90% of my driving is on highways. She doesn't use any coolant, so I don't think the heater cores are leaking. I don't use 'Armor-All' type products. I clean the interior surfaces with cleaning wipes and/or alcohol and a rag. Only thing I can think of is I use Weiman leather conditioning wipes on the seats. Maybe they are offgassing something.

Thanks!

 

[skpyle]

Gentlemen,

Thank you for all the suggestions and advice. I will get to work and see what helps. I will update this thread.

 

[RST Dana]

If you have tint, make sure your cleaner does not have ammonia, otherwise, your tint will suffer.

 

[BlaineBug]

I disagree. All the plastic in these offgasses and puts a film on the glass (and other parts where it's not notice so much). It's ongoing. Forever.

Yes, it's a sort of transparent film. Big difference when cleaning for sure! You will also get streaks if your towel is too saturated and wet. The windshield is the biggest pain in the arse to clean, always has been!

 

[89Suburban]

I use sparing amounts of windex and microfiber cloths. I have of those hand held window cleaning pads with the swivel handle. And I have to zip tie the cloth to it. Still a PITA and not perfect but it's the best solution I have found so far. I am also following along here for other ideas as this is a BIG pet peeve of mine. I like my windshield crystal clear.

 

[89Suburban]

And the last time I used newspaper years ago it wound up scratching my glass so I took that off the list quickly.

 

[Sparksalot]

And the last time I used newspaper years ago it wound up scratching my glass so I took that off the list quickly.

Do newspapers even print anymore?

 

[B-train]

Hello All,

I feel idiotic for having to ask this, but how do you all effectively clean your interior windows? Specifically the windshield?

In times gone by, I have used Windex and newspapers quite effectively in other vehicles. Nice clean windshield, no streaks, no residue.

On my 2013 Escalade ESV (and my wife's 2008 Chevrolet Equinox LTZ), I cannot get the windshield clean to save my life!
The front door windows are tinted, so I don't use ammonia based cleaners. I had tried Invisible Glass, but it kept leaving residue that would show up on chilly mornings. IE fog the windshield, if that makes sense. Or, in direct sunlight, you can see a residue.

Searching on the internet, I found suggestions to use isopropyl alcohol to clean the windshield first, then Invisible Glass. That sorta worked better. Procedure was to spray alcohol on a microfiber rag, then clean part of the windshield. Do it again with a different side of the rag. Then do the same with the Invisible Glass.
I still had streaks and or residue.

Sooooo...thinking about it(which appears to be dangerous for me), I decided that I wasn't using enough of either. Meaning the rag was too dry. So, I drowned the rag in alcohol. Dried the windshield with a new microfiber cloth. Then drowned a rag in Invisible glass. Then dried the windshield with a new microfiber cloth.
And that left awful streaks and residue.


Please offer me advice so I can effectively clean the interior windows of my Escalade!

Thanks

I quit using interior shines years back because all they do is off-gas and make a mess. I've found, like others have stated, that vinegar/water mix works quite well for cleaning everything and leaves a fresh, neutral scent.....no gloss tho if that's your thing.

For windows I've found straight vinegar works phenomenal, and cuts all the crap off. The other thing I use is just plain, blue windshield wash. It also works well and is easy to clean. Wash with a damp towel, follow with a dry towel.

Do yourself a favor and rob the closet of the best towels your wife likes........windows love them too.

 

[89Suburban]

Ok that’s 2 for vinegar

 

[89Suburban]

Doesn’t vinegar stink though? Will the vinegar water mix freeze? I like to keep window cleaner in my truck year round.

 

[B-train]

Doesn’t vinegar stink though? Will the vinegar water mix freeze? I like to keep window cleaner in my truck year round.

Good question there @89Suburban

I would assume it will freeze, but maybe lower than water due to its acidity level. Yes, straight vinegar can smell strong, but it goes away quickly and leaves a fresh smell IMO. However, a gallon of blue -20F windshield wash would probably be your buddy. Nothing fancy needed, just the alcohol infused, colored water. It works almost as good as straight vinegar and has that minty fresh smell....

 

[BlaineBug]

Vinegar only is smelly while you're actively using it and it is wet. It is the oldest, safest, best cleaner around and has been used by generations. The downside is the smell, that's about it. Reminds me of coloring Easter eggs.