Want Windows That Shine & Stay Clean Longer? Just Add This To Your Cleaning Solution

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Between dust, dirt, and grime, as well as your children's fingerprints or your pet's paw prints, your windows can become cloudy, grungy, and just plain gross. In fact, it's pretty frustrating how quickly your windows can go from sparkling to smudged. Sometimes it feels like they stay clean for barely five minutes after you get the window haze off the glass, especially if you live near a busy road, the woods, or have a dog who treats your windows like his own personal lookout towers. Weather can play a big role in how dirty your windows get, too. Think windy days, pollen season, or salty or foggy air. And if you live in an urban area or near construction, the grime shows up fast. If you want your hard-earned clean to last a little longer, there's a tiny trick that can make a surprisingly big difference: add glycerin.

While your indoor windows tend to stay cleaner a bit longer, your outdoor windows usually need attention every three to six months, depending on what they're exposed to. Mixing glycerin into your cleaning solution can result in fewer spots, fewer streaks, and a longer stretch between cleanings. This product, which is a colorless humectant used in cosmetics, food, and pharmaceuticals, retains moisture and basically gives your windows a little barrier against grime. Vegetable glycerin is a simple addition, and it keeps that just-cleaned shine around longer.

Glycerin is a product most people never think to use on their windows, but once you try it, you might wonder where it's been all your life. The trick is getting the ratio right so you get that invisible protective layer without leaving behind a film. Two or three drops mixed into 1 liter of warm water makes a simple solution. If you prefer a spray bottle, you can blend it with vinegar, a splash of dish soap, and water for a more heavy-duty cleaner. Just shake it before you use it, spritz the glass, and wipe with a microfiber cloth, which won't leave streaks or lint behind. You'll see the shine immediately, but the real magic happens over the next few days as dust, fingerprints, and fog have a harder time clinging to the glass.

To get the most out of glycerin, start with clean windows. If there's built-up grime or sticky residue, give the glass a quick wash with a vinegar-based cleaning solution first. Once the windows are clean and dry, apply your glycerin solution evenly and buff lightly. Done right, a glycerin boost can keep your windows clearer longer, letting in more light and cutting down on how often you have to drag out the cleaning supplies. Looking for other ways to use glycerin? You can try it to frame real leaves and create original botanical art to hang around your home.