If you typically clean glass with Windex and paper towels, it’s time to rethink your approach. While many traditional glass cleaning methods remove dirt, they often leave behind streak marks that can be even more of an eyesore. Fortunately, you can avoid those streaks altogether using a few items you likely already have sitting around.
Coffee Filters — Not Just for Coffee
While we often associate coffee with staining — whether it’s our teeth or a white button-up — coffee filters have quite the opposite effect. They’re a great cleaning tool that won’t break the bank, as they’re usually made from lint-free material. This makes them the perfect solution for stubborn streaks. You can use them to clean light fixtures, windows, kitchenware, or any other glass item.
Grab an empty spray bottle and fill it with equal parts distilled white vinegar and water. Despite its basic ingredients, this mixture works wonders for a streak-free shine. It’s nontoxic, and the acidity helps dissolve dirt, grime, and mineral buildup.
Note: You can use whatever commercial glass cleaner you have on hand if you don’t want to whip up one yourself; just avoid using it on any surfaces that come into contact with food.
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Next, pick the right filter. Any standard bleached white coffee filter will do — they’re cheap and plentiful, and they get the job done. Steer clear of unbleached filters, which are usually brown in color and may leave behind a papery residue.
Spray the vinegar-water mixture onto the filter until it’s lightly damp. Be careful to avoid soaking the filter, as too much moisture will just create more of a mess. Wipe the damp filter along any glass surfaces in need of a clean, working your way from top to bottom in a zigzag motion. If the filter gets too moist or dirty, swap it out for another and continue until the glass is sparkling and streak-free.
