by Tess Mize

Hi, again! In my last post, I explained some of the reasons I like to try eco-friendly and non-toxic alternatives to conventional cleaning supplies. I also have a lot of messes to clean up, courtesy of my 18-month old lab mix named Trixie. Today’s project: windows! I know, windows are the absolute worst. I am right there with you. But they’re also one of the less subtle areas when they get dirty. Especially sliding glass doors. My grief, but do those things get dirty, dirty, dirty!

Most of my windows need cleaning, but I have two places where the glass is in desperate need of help. One is the back sliding door, and the other is the front window in our office. The thing these glass surfaces have in common is they are both heavily frequented by Trixie. The sliding door is where she politely requests to go out, and (about 30 seconds later), to come back in. At least 30 times a day. The front window in our office is home to Trixie’s “window seat” (an old trunk she lays on to survey her domain–I mean, to look out at the neighborhood). Needless to say, both these surfaces get a lot of nose time.

Before photo

See what I mean? So many nose prints I could tell people the glass is frosted. But since the “frost” only goes as high as my dog can reach, I doubt people would buy it. So I must clean it instead.

Before photo

I came across this post via Pinterest, and decided to try the “Alvin Corn” glass cleaner. Alvin Corn stands for alcohol, vinegar, and cornstarch.

It contains:
1/4 C rubbing alcohol
1/4 C white vinegar
1 Tbsp cornstarch, and
2 C warm water

I combined the ingredients in a spare spray bottle I had lying around, and went to town on those windows with a few paper towels (to be really green, I should have used a cloth that I can wash and use again, but I forgot. Nobody’s perfect).

After photo

I’d say it works pretty darn well. What do you think?

It was easier to work with than traditional glass cleaner, which often leaves streaks on my glass. And nose grime usually takes some elbow grease to scrub off, but something about this homemade cleaner cut right through it without much effort on my part at all! I think I’ve found my full-time replacement for store bought glass cleaner! The only way it could be better is if I could train Trixie to use it and clean up after herself!

After photo

Give it a try and let me know how it works for you!

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Tess Mize is a Navy wife who lives in her current adopted hometown of Hanford with her husband and dog. She is active in her church and enjoys volunteering in the community and performing in local theater productions. She originally hails from Fayetteville, Georgia, and is an alumnus of the University of South Carolina, where she earned a degree in English Literature.