Can You Use Windex On Car Windows?

Windex makes a variety of window cleaners designed for different applications. The best Windex formula for use on car windows is their Ammonia-Free Glass Cleaner. Some car manufacturers use a tint on the outside of their windows which can react with ammonia. SC Johnson, the manufacturer of Windex, recommend using their Ammonia-Free glass cleaners on car windows instead of regular formula. You can use it on your car’s tinted windows, mirrors, glass, chrome, stainless steel, plastic, and vinyl surfaces.

For a streak-free shine, clean your car windows when the surface is cool and out of direct sunlight. Spray the windows with Windex and wipe them off with a soft dry cloth or paper towel. Microfiber generally works best because it doesn’t leave streaks or fibers behind after you wipe.

Cleaning the outside of your car windows is easy and can be done with the same soap and water used to wash the car. But the inside is a bit harder. Using soap and water is a bad idea because you’ll drip soapy water all over the car’s interior.

The best way to clean the inside of your car’s windows is with Windex. Either spray the windows directly and then wipe them dry or spray a microfiber cloth with Windex and then wipe. Make sure the windows are cool and out of direct sunlight if possible.

Does Windex Work On Car Windows?

Yes, you can use Windex on car windows. It works on both the outside and inside of all your car windows and windshield. However, you should use Windex Ammonia-Free Glass cleaner instead of the original formula. Many car windows have tint which can react when exposed to ammonia.

SC Johnson, the manufacturer of Windex glass cleaners, recommend using their Windex Ammonia Free line of glass cleaners on all car windows including the windshield.

I always use one of Windex’s Ammonia-Free formulas when I clean any of our company car and truck windows. It works just as well as the original formula and there’s no risk of damage to the window tint. And I like that it works on chrome parts, plastic, mirrors, stainless steel and vinyl so I don’t have to use multiple products.

Windex should not be used on leather because it dries it out. Be careful not to drip any on your leather seats if you use it to clean the inside of your car windows.

Factory window tint and third party tint are usually different products applied in a different process. Third party tiny is typically much thicker and applied like a film. It reacts more harshly with ammonia vs factory tiny which is usually very thin.

Be extra careful about which Windex formula you use to clean car windows if you’ve got third party window tint.

How To Clean Car Windows & Windshield With Windex

Cleaning car windows and windshield with Windex is easy to do. Use Windex Ammonia Free Glass Cleaner instead of regular formula because ammonia can react with window tint. Either spray Windex directly onto the windows and wipe clean or spray it onto a micro-fiber cloth and then wipe. A soft micro-fiber cloth generally works better than paper towels or rags because they don’t leave streaks or lint behind.

Using paper towels on your car windows and windshield can leave behind lint, smears and a permanent haze. But some brand paper towels definitely work better than others. Choose a premium grade paper towel that’s thick and absorbent to help reduce smearing and lint.

A microfiber cloth works best.
Windex Ammonia Free Glass Cleaner is best for car windows and windshields because it won’t react harshly with tinting.
Use Windex on cool car windows that are out of direct sunlight.

The same method applies to the inside and outside of your car windows and windshield.

First, dry wipe the inside of your car windows and windshield with a damp microfiber cloth and allow them to dry. This will remove large bits of dirt and dust.
Next, either spray your microfiber cloth with Windex or spray the windows directly and then wipe.
Apply Windex evenly and wipe thoroughly. Try not to leave behind streaks.
For large windows and windshields, work in sections. Clean half the window first then the other half. This will help reduce streaking.
Completely dry the glass when you’re done cleaning. Any Windex left on the windows will cause streaks or hazing.

Car Windshield Cleaning Tips

Spraying your car windows with Windex Glass Cleaner and wiping with paper towels may not achieve the best results. Especially if you’re using a cheap store brand paper towel. They tend to leave streaks and lint behind. If you’re going to use a paper towel, buy a thick and absorbent premium brand like Bounty.

What you wipe Windex off with makes a huge difference in the end result. For the best possible results, use a microfiber cloth or towel.

Other items that work well for cleaning car windows are a lint-free cotton cloth, untreated premium grade paper towels, newspaper or old, clean cloth diapers .

Make sure to use enough Windex product to remove all the dirt and change cleaning towels as they become soiled.One of the biggest mistakes people make when cleaning car windows is using too little Windex or not changing their cleaning towel when it gets dirty.

If you don’t change the cleaning towel you’ll just smear dirt back on the windows as you wipe.

Cleaning windows on a cool cloudy day works best. Sunlight can heat up the car windows causing sprays to dry and streak before you can wipe them clean.

For best results use a microfiber cleaning cloth. They don’t leave behind small paper fibers like most paper towels do and are less likely to leave streaks.
If you have trouble reaching parts of your windshield, use a reach-and-clean tool.
Use a circular motion when wiping with Windex.
Then wipe vertically and horizontally in long strokes at the end to remove streaks.
This cleaning process can be used on all car windows and the windshield both inside and out.

What’s The Best Thing To Clean Car Windows?

The best ways to clean car windows is with a microfiber cloth and Windex Ammonia Free Glass Cleaner. Wipe the windshield down with a clean, dry microfiber cloth to remove any dirt or dust. Next, either spray Windex on the windows directly or onto a microfiber cloth. Then wipe the windows in a circular motion followed by long back and forth or up and down strokes.

Make sure you thoroughly wipe the windows. Any Windex left behind will cause streaks.

Use a generous amount of Windex and change your cleaning cloth as it gets dirty. One of the biggest mistakes people make when cleaning car windows is using too little cleaner and wiping with a dirty cloth.

If you don’t change the cloth you’ll end up rubbing dirt back onto the windows or creating a haze.
Using too little Windex can leave streaks and cause haze.

Is Windex Good For Car Windshields?

Yes, Windex Ammonia Free Glass Cleaner is great for cleaning windshields. Don’t use their regular formula because it may react with some types of window tint. First, dry wipe the windshield with a microfiber cloth to remove dirt and dust. Then spray a generous amount of Windex directly onto the windshield or a microfiber cloth. Wipe the windshield in a circular motion followed by long horizontal or vertical strokes. Change cloths as it becomes dirty or you’ll create a haze.

Make sure to wipe off all the Windex when you’re done cleaning. Any Windex left on the windshield will dry as streaks or a haze.

The most important part of cleaning a windshield is Windex and a clean microfiber cloth. This is what most car detailers use to create a streak free and crystal clear finish. Using paper towels typically results in streaks, a haze or left behind paper lint.