Whether it's your windows, tabletop or bathroom mirror, dirt, fingerprints and grime always seem to appear on glass surfaces faster than you think. The mirrors in my apartment somehow smudge almost overnight, so I've been on the hunt to find the best glass cleaner that will leave them with a polished, streak-free shine.
To find one that would actually deliver, I tested seven popular glass cleaners based on recommendations from colleagues, cleaning experts and popular picks with high ratings from users.
I’ve always kept to the same tried-and-true products that I grew up using, which is why I was shocked when — after all my testing was complete — the overall best wasn’t what I initially thought it was going to be.
Keep reading to see which glass cleaner reigned supreme from my testing and shop other picks that also proved worthy of a spot in any cleaning arsenal.
What to look for in a glass cleaner
While it might seem obvious, you should be using a cleaner specifically formulated for cleaning glass and/or windows. This is so that it can easily lift grime, fingerprints and dirt "while drying clear and streak-free," Kristin DiNicolantonio, director of stakeholder communications at the American Cleaning Institute, tells us. Reading the labels carefully will help ensure compatibility and performance, she adds.
You should also be tailoring your cleaning method to the surface you are working on. "Mirrors and indoor windows often need a non-streak formula, while shower doors may be better served with products designed to address soap scum or mineral buildup," DiNicolantonio notes.
Glass cleaners commonly come in three forms: sprays, foams or wipes. Tyson Inan, New York City-based senior cleaner at Well-Paid Maids, recommends using a spray formula, since the nozzle allows you to have more control over how much product you want to dispense at a time. This is particularly helpful if you want to create a DIY cleaner, which Inan says can be made by using a combination of dish soap, water and a few drops of essential oils.
Overall best glass cleaner, tested by an editor
Performance: 5/5 | Bottle/spray functionality: 4/5 | Scent: 4.5/5 | Overall average score: 4.5/5
Performance: From the first spray, I was impressed by how well this cleaner worked. It released an ample amount of product and was easy to grip. It only took four wipes to reveal a completely clean, streak-free mirror. Admittedly, I was initially under the impression that it would only be suitable for auto glass due to the image of the car on the packaging, but it worked well on mirrors, too! It required little-to-no elbow grease to be effective.
Bottle/spray functionality: Enough product was released per spray, maybe even too much at once. Since it's an aerosol foam, it doesn't require a lot of product to cover the entire surface of the affected area. The nozzle wasn't fidgety and didn't give me any issues.
Scent: The scent was light, in my opinion, and wasn't overwhelmingly "chemical." It almost had a light lemon scent to it. This was perfect because it gave that "clean" smell you would look for after you clean a mirror, but it wasn't overpowering.
More glass cleaners, tested by the author
Expert-approved glass cleaner:
Performance: 4/5 | Bottle/spray functionality: 5/5 | Scent: 4/5 | Overall average score: 4.3/5
Performance: For being a "plant-powered" cleaner, this one worked well and surprised me with the results. I had faith in this one as the brand was recommended by Inan. It only took four wipes to reveal a clean mirror with a streak-free finish.
Bottle/spray functionality: Since this is a plant-based formula that's only comprised of four ingredients — two being vinegar and water — I half expected a watery puddle to come out. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the formula had some substance to it and covered a decent amount of surface area with just one spritz.
Scent: You can definitely tell that there is vinegar in this formula, so if that's not your cup of tea, I would suggest opting for one of the other formulas I tested. That being said, I didn't find it to be off-putting. It was more of a whisper, hidden in a rather fresh scent.
Best smelling glass cleaner:
Performance: 3/5 | Bottle/spray functionality: 5/5 | Scent: 5/5 | Overall average score: 4.3/5
Performance: I'm a huge fan of other Mrs. Meyer's cleaning products, so I was a bit disappointed when it took an overwhelming amount of wipes to clean the mirror with this spray. Initial wipes seemed to just move the lotion around and it took some additional elbow grease to finally buff out any remaining streaks. But by the end, it got the job done. It took a little extra work, but I think the results were worth it.
Bottle/spray functionality: The best aspect of this cleaner was the functionality of it. It was easy to use and released a light mist that covered a wide radius with each spray.
Scent: This is one of my favorite hand soap scents, so it was extremely pleasant to smell while cleaning the mirror, too. It is light and refreshing and makes you look forward to cleaning.
Household name glass cleaner:
Performance: 4/5 | Bottle/spray functionality: 5/5 | Scent: 3/5 | Overall average score: 4/5
Performance: Windex is a household name, so we went into these tests with certain expectations (while ensuring we kept our testing criteria front of mind for unbiased scoring). By the end of our test, it left the glass almost streak-free (but not completely) and didn’t leave any lint behind from the microfiber towel we used.
Bottle/spray functionality: A decent amount of product was released with each spray so I didn’t feel like you’d run through half the bottle just cleaning one surface.
Scent: When you think of Windex, you probably envision the stark blue color and can imagine that familiar scent. I personally didn’t find it to be overpowering, but it may not be for everyone, especially if you have a sensitive nose.
Tried-and-true favorite glass cleaner:
Performance: 4/5 | Bottle/spray functionality: 5/5 | Scent: 1/5 | Overall average score: 3.3/5
Performance: I grew up using this spray in my house, so I was quite familiar with its effectiveness. My mom has used it to clean everything from mirrors to stovetops to granite countertops and every surface was left remarkably clean. This spray didn’t disappoint and required four swipes to reveal a clean surface with no streaks or lint left behind.
Bottle/spray functionality: This spray releases an ample amount of product and, during our tests, I learned that a little bit goes a long way. The nozzle can be reactive so you can end up dispensing a decent amount of product if you hold it down long enough.
Scent: Sprayway definitely had the strongest smell to it out of all the cleaners we tested — you can definitely tell that there are cleaning agents in it. I found it to be a bit overpowering, but if you’re the type of person that really wants to smell the clean, I could see this being your jam.
Frequently asked questions
Inan says the best material for cleaning glass is microfiber "hands down... It gets out all of the streaks left behind on windows and glass."
Experts avoid overspraying the glass while cleaning so as not to cause a build up of product. To keep this from happening, DiNicolantonio recommends spraying it on your cloth first.
Contrary to popular belief, the best way to clean glass and mirrors is not just spraying the entire surface and wiping your way down. instead, DiNicolantonio suggests working "in small sections, and dry each section with a clean cloth after wiping."
How I tested the best glass cleaners
To find the best glass cleaners, I polled editors and experts for their top picks. I also included top-rated glass cleaners from online retailers.
Then, I covered my hands in lotion and smudged six handheld mirrors, covering them in lotion and making sure to leave residue and fingerprints behind. I then sprayed each mirror with a cleaner and wiped it with a fresh microfiber cloth until I deemed the level of clean to be satisfactory.
I rated each glass cleaner on scale of 1-5 (1 being the worst, 5 being the best) for the following criteria:
- Performance: How well does the formula actually clean? Did it leave any streaks behind? How many wipes did it take for the mirror to be “clean?”
- Bottle/spray functionality: Was there a satisfactory amount of product per spray? Was it easy to use?
- Scent: Is it overpowering? Does it smell like chemicals or does it have a more “natural” scent?
Why trust Shop TODAY
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources and use our own personal experiences with the product and brand to make shopping easier for our readers.
Jillian Ortiz is the editorial operations manager at Shop TODAY. She has been with the team for five years, covering a wide range of topics, including how often to wash your jeans and the best ways to organize your laundry room.
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Meet the experts
- Tyson Inan is a senior cleaner at Well-Paid Maids, a professional cleaning service that boasts providing workers with "a living wage and comprehensive benefits."
- Kristin DiNicolantonio is the director of stakeholder communications at the American Cleaning Institute.
