Windows can get dirty quickly as pollen spreads across the UK in spring, but there is a simple method to clean them properly in just 10 minutes
April brings welcome sunshine to the UK, but the warmer conditions can quickly leave windows looking grimy, covered in unsightly smears as pollen season gets underway. While pollen may appear harmless, it causes streaky windows as it spreads rapidly and is incredibly sticky, adhering stubbornly to any surface.
Many households make the common error of simply wiping pollen away, but its gritty texture means even the most careful cleaning can smear it across the glass and potentially cause scratching.
Instead, Emily Tweten, a mum and founder of Hearty Sol, has revealed a “quick and easy” method for properly cleaning windows using just three basic ingredients that most people already have in their kitchen.
As reported by the Express, Emily said: “A few years back when I was pregnant with our third baby, I decided to ditch the store-bought cleaners and make up my own with ingredients that I keep under my kitchen sink: vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and cornstarch [cornflour] – with these household staples, a great cleaner is just a couple of steps away!”
Using cornflour as a cleaning agent may sound peculiar, but it is remarkably absorbent, drawing in pollen and dust from the glass without causing any damage.
Cornflour also soaks up excess moisture, helping to eliminate streaks, which is precisely why it features so prominently in homemade window cleaning solutions.
Vinegar earns its place in the mixture thanks to its high acidity, which effectively breaks down stubborn grime such as pollen, along with other residues including tree sap, oils and various other marks on the glass.
Rubbing alcohol is essential for disinfecting the glass, and its rapid evaporation rate significantly accelerates the drying process of the cleaning solution, helping to prevent unsightly streaks.
These ingredients may appear straightforward, but combining them produces remarkably clean windows with minimal effort — something that will prove increasingly valuable as pollen season intensifies.
How to keep windows as clean as possible in spring
You will need:
- 60ml of white vinegar
- 480ml of warm water
- 240ml of rubbing alcohol
- One tablespoon of cornflour
Method:
Simply pour all the ingredients into a container and mix thoroughly to fully incorporate the cornflour.
Use a funnel to transfer the solution into an empty spray bottle, which can typically be found in the gardening aisle of most supermarkets.
Give the solution a vigorous shake before spraying it directly onto your windows. Continue shaking the bottle during use to prevent the cornflour from settling at the bottom.
Wipe down the glass using a soft cloth or sponge, and any dirt and grime should vanish swiftly. Avoid using paper towels on glass at all costs, as they tend to leave streaks and often contain coarse fibres that could scratch the surface.
Ensure the windows are thoroughly dry, and within just a few minutes you’ll have spotlessly clean glass — all without splashing out on expensive specialist cleaners.
