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The Spruce / Sabrina Jiang
A top-quality glass cleaner breaks up and removes greasy fingerprints, smudges, and dirt without leaving streaks. We researched and tested dozens of the top glass cleaners to evaluate ease of use, formulation, and effectiveness.
Our favorite, the Invisible Glass Cleaner Spray, is ammonia-free, works well on glass, mirrors, and chrome, and dries clean and clear.
Here are the best glass cleaners for sprucing up your windows, car, and more.
Best Overall
Invisible Glass Glass Cleaner Spray
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Amazon
Streak-free
Easy to find
Affordable
Uses synthetic chemicals
This glass cleaner lives up to its name, cleaning glass surfaces so well that they look practically invisible. In addition to targeting dirt, grime, and streaks, it also makes short work of removing toothpaste splatter, smoke haze, and fingerprints. It's safe for windows, glass cooktops, mirrors, and chrome, it doesn't contain ammonia (although its formula is synthetic chemical-based), and it's free of overpowering scents and dyes.
This cleaner doesn't leave behind residue or streaks—two of the most common complaints with other products we've tested over the years— and is both affordable and easy to find online and at many stores, checking off all the boxes that many people look for in a glass cleaner.
Price at time of publish: $12
Type: Spray | Amount: 32 ounces | Dimensions: 4.72 x 3.15 x 11.81 inches | Scent: Unscented
Best Budget
Windex Original Glass Cleaner
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Walmart
Effective
Leaves minimal streaks
Easy to find
Uses synthetic chemicals
Strong scent
Windex is a household name brand cleaner that's effective, budget-friendly, and easy to find at most grocery stores. While it is the trusted standby in many homes, its formulation includes synthetic chemicals, including 2-hexoxyethanol and isopropanolamine. It also has a pretty strong scent, which comes from synthetic fragrances and dyes.
Price at time of publish: $3
Type: Spray | Amount: 23 ounces | Dimensions: 2.41 x 4.03 x 10.7 inches | Scent: Original
Best Foam
Stoner Invisible Glass Foaming Cleanser
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Amazon
Ammonia-free
Tint safe
Expensive
This foaming cleanser is an excellent option for those that want minimal overspray, which is a common issue with most household spray cleaners. It uses the same cleaning formula as the other Invisible Glass products, which is free of ammonia and the types of scents, soaps, and chemical dyes that cause streaking. One of the best parts of this glass cleaner is that it won't leave any residue behind, as long as you use a microfiber cloth. In addition to its many uses around the home, it's an excellent product for cleaning glass, mirrors, and chrome in your car.
Price at time of publish: $7
Type: Foam | Amount: 15 ounces | Dimensions: 8 x 2.5 x 2.5 inches | Scent: Unscented
Best Wipes
Sprayway Ammonia-free Glass Cleaning Wipes
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Amazon
Won’t spill
Ammonia-free
Budget-friendly
Small capacity
Strong scent
Glass cleaning wipes are great for targeting hard-to-reach places or taking your cleaner on the go. Sprayway's wipes are ammonia-free, so they won't irritate your skin or release a harsh smell, and they are approved for use on tinted glass. The big drawback: The wipes are designed to spot clean small areas, so a 20-pack won't clean all the windows in a typical home. (We've found that it's more cost-effective to use a spray or foam cleaner for big jobs.) The fresh scent is pleasant but might be overpowering if you're particularly sensitive to fragrances.
Price at time of publish: $2
Type: Wipes | Amount: 20 wipes | Dimensions: 2.5 x 4 x 6 inches | Scent: Fresh Scent
Best Eco-friendly
Puracy Organic Natural Multi-Surface Cleaner
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Target
Herbal scents
All-purpose cleaner
Plant-based
Some streaking
Puracy natural glass cleaner uses decyl glucoside, a vegetable-based cleanser, in place of harsh chemicals like ammonia, and its pleasant scent comes from organic lemongrass essential oil. This spray formula does leave behind more streaks than some other cleaners, so it may take a few more swipes to get a crystal-clear shine. In addition, Katie Berry, The Spruce's Cleaning Review Board member, stresses that lemongrass oil is toxic for dogs and cats. If you have furry friends in your house, "avoid using this on surfaces they'll walk on and consider keeping them out of the room while you're using it," she advises.
Notably, this all-purpose cleaner is very versatile, though. It can be used on bathroom counters, mirrors, and sinks. Puracy also offers a concentrated solution that you can use to refill reusable cleaning bottles, cutting down on plastic waste.
Price at time of publish: $14
Type: Spray | Amount: 25 ounces | Dimensions: 2.8 x 3.2 x 10.6 inches | Scent: Green Tea and Lime, Lemongrass
Best for Cooktops
Weiman Cooktop Cleaner Kit
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Amazon
Convenient pour bottle
Includes extra tools
Expensive
Weiman is our go-to cleaner for glass cooktops and stovetops, and we highly recommend getting the entire cleaning kit, which includes the cleaning solution, a scrubbing pad, a scraper, and a cleaning tool. The formula contains polyethylene-polypropylene glycol and monosodium phosphate; other chemicals like pH balancers and preservatives also play a role, so if you use natural products, this is not the product for you. It's pricey, but it works better than any other glass cooktop cleaner we have tested.
Price at time of publish: $16
Type: Liquid | Amount: 10 ounces | Dimensions: 6.21 x 3.1 x 7.82 inches | Scent: Unscented
Best for Windows
The Honest Company Conscious Cleaning Glass Starter Kit
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The Honest Company
Reusable bottle with pods
Natural scents
Compatible with multiple surfaces
Expensive
Not great for heavy dirt and grime
The Honest Company's glass cleaner is free of phosphates, phthalates, parabens, bleach, ammonia, and synthetic fragrances. (They also sell refill pods that you can put into the reusable bottle, which reduces plastic waste.) The formula mostly lives up to its promise, cleaning windows and other hard surfaces that don't have a considerable build-up of grime and dirt. Our tester enjoyed the pleasant scent, which contains refreshing notes of citrus and mint.
Price at time of publish: $17
Type: Pods create spray | Amount: 23 ounces per pod | Dimensions: 13.25 x 10.38 x 3.88 inches | Scent: Pomelo
Best for Shower Doors
Rejuvenate No Scrub Soap Scum Remover
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Amazon
Effective on soap scum
Compatible with multiple surfaces
Strong smell
The Rejuvenate glass cleaner packs a powerful punch against soap scum, hard water, rust, and other residues. It's approved for use on glass shower doors, ceramic tile, fiberglass, natural stone, plastic, chrome, and porcelain, and is non-abrasive, so you don't need to worry about it scratching your surfaces. Even though it's unscented, our tester found that it produced a potent smell when used in an enclosed shower.
Price at time of publish: $10
Type: Spray | Amount: 24 ounces | Dimensions: 2 x 4 x 11 inches | Scent: Unscented
Best for Mirrors
Method Glass + Surface Naturally Derived Glass Cleaner
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Grove
Easy to find
Fresh scent
Compatible with multiple surfaces
Expensive
Includes scents and dyes
The Method glass cleaner is effective, smells nice, and is suitable for use on various surfaces. Ingredients include water, ethanol, decyl glucoside, sodium carbonate, potassium citrate, fragrance, and polymeric colorants, which are all naturally derived. It's available in two fresh scents—mint and waterfall—that are pleasant and not overpowering. One of the more expensive options on our list, it's a smart buy for those who prefer to use non-toxic cleaning products.
Price at time of publish: $4
Type: Spray | Amount: 28 ounces | Dimensions: 13.2 x 6.8 x 10.8 inches | Scent: Waterfall
Best for Cars
Rain-X 2-in-1 Glass Cleaner + Rain Repellent
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Courtesy of Target
Rain repellent
Easy to apply
Small capacity
The Rain-X brand's "rain repellant" formula makes it one of the top-rated products for cleaning car windows. (Even car washes use it!) This glass cleaner uses ethanol to remove dirt and grime and polydimethylsiloxanes to create a barrier layer that causes rain to bead up and slide off your windshield and windows. It also helps prevent and remove sleet, snow, and bug guts.
Price at time of publish: $11
Type: Spray | Amount: 23 ounces | Dimensions: 4.1 x 2.4 x 11 Inches | Scent: Unscented
Our top pick is Invisible Glass Spray Cleaner. It will work on just about any surface, keep it streak-free and sparkling, and is affordable and available. What’s not to love? For the most budget-conscious, try Windex Glass and Window Cleaner. It comes in at a slightly lower cost but still gets your windows spick and span with minimal effort.
What to Look for in a Glass Cleaner
Use
Though many glass cleaners can be used on any glass, some are better suited for specific surfaces, like glass cooktops. Foam options offer a more precise application, while liquids can overspray, landing on nearby surfaces and flooring. Wipes are less practical but a great option for targeting hard-to-reach places or in situations—like the car—where you don't want to risk the possibility of a cleaning solution spill.
If you use a glass cleaner in an enclosed space or are sensitive to chemical smells and fragrances, naturally scented or unscented products are available. Cleaners that don't contain artificial dyes will often leave less (or no) residue behind.
Ingredients
Some glass cleaners contain synthetic chemicals and ammonia—known commercially as solvents and surfactants—which can irritate skin, eyes, and nose. Natural and non-toxic glass cleaners use natural ingredients that are often plant-based and have natural fragrances, which are sometimes less effective at cleaning filthy windows or baked-on grime. If you have young children or pets, keep your cleaning products in the garage, a locked cabinet, or another area of your home that's not easily accessible.
You can always try making a homemade glass cleaner if you prefer. Vinegar is a condiment that can double as a cleaning agent—if you're not a fan of the acidic smell, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for a customized scent.
Scent
A lot of cleaning products contain fragrances, whether natural or synthetic. Some enjoy the refreshing smell, while others are sensitive to scented solutions. Even unscented glass cleaners typically have a mild odor when applied, which will usually dissipate quickly.
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Can you use glass cleaner on a TV?
You can use certain glass cleaners on electronics. Still, you should always check the indications and list of ingredients first, as some contain abrasive chemicals that can damage items like TVs. If you use a glass cleaner labeled safe for use on a TV, never spray it directly onto the screen. Instead, apply it to a microfiber cloth and use it to wipe the TV. Screen wipes specifically formulated to clean electronics are always the best option for cleaning a TV.
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Does glass cleaner sanitize the surface?
Some glass cleaners also sanitize surfaces by killing bacteria and viruses. To confirm, thoroughly read through the ingredients listed on the packaging, or refer to the product page on the brand's website. Katie Berry, The Spruce's Cleaning Review Board member, notes that products with ammonia or alcohol have sanitizing abilities. "Plant-based glass cleaners do not contain these and are not suitable for sanitizing."
If you use glass cleaner to sanitize any area that is used for food preparation or cooking, make sure to rinse the surface well. The Environmental Working Group provides a guide to cleaning products to help consumers make an informed decision.
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Are paper towels good for cleaning glass?
You can use paper towels to clean glass, but they tend to leave lint and streaks behind. Microfiber cloths are the most effective (and reusable) option. One of the best ways to clean glass is by using old newspapers, which won't leave streaks and are a great way to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Katie Begley, a freelance writer specializing in home and family products. Katie has been writing for The Spruce since 2019. Katie personally tested multiple glass cleaners to find the best ones for each use.