How to Clean Car Windows Inside and Out Without Streaks

Are you worried about the smudges, dirt, and streaks on your car window? Don’t worry, I will tell you how to clean car windows from the inside and outside. Knowing the right way to clean car windows helps you get a spotless surface without any streaks. Let me walk you through easy steps to clean your car windows from the inside and outside without leaving streaks behind.

Table of contents

• Why Clean Car Glass Windows Streak-Free
• Equipment You Need to Clean Car Windows
• How to Clean Car Windows from Inside
• How to Clean Car Windows From the Outside
• Tips to Clean Car Windows Without Streaks
• Tips for Cleaning Car Windows from Inside
• Maintenance Tips After Cleaning Your Car Windows
• Can You Use Windex on Car Windows?
• Conclusion
• FAQs

Why Clean Car Glass Windows Streak-Free

Although you can clean the car windows with just a cloth, it will not give you a spotless and streak-free surface. Before proceeding to the streak-free window cleaning method, have a look at these causes of streaks and benefits of streak-free windows:

Common Causes of Streaks on Auto Glass

The two most common causes of streaks while cleaning windows are wrong cleaners and hard cloths. If you use dirty towels, harsh sun, or even paper towels to clean car windows, they can leave streaks behind. Moreover, using too much cleaning solution and using cloth in random directions can also produce scratches.

Benefits of Streak-Free Car Windows

Here are the main benefits of having streak-free windows:

• Improved visibility, especially at night or in direct sunlight
• Reduces glare and prevents accidents
• Enhances the appearance of the car and makes it look newer.
• Proper cleaning technique is essential for best results.

Equipment You Need to Clean Car Windows

The first step to cleaning car windows is gathering the right equipment. Here is the brief of tools and materials necessary to clean car glass windows:

Best Glass Cleaner for Car Windows

Before knowing about how to clean car windows, you must find and buy the right cleaner first. I recommend you avoid buying generic cleaners and only prefer those that are specifically made for auto glass. Avoid cleaners with ammonia, especially if your car has tinted windows. They can damage the tint over time and can badly affect the car tint colors. Before buying the cleaner, make sure there is a label “ammonia-free” and that it is safe for tinted and non-tinted glass.

Choosing the Right Microfiber Towels

Always use the soft microfiber cloth that is soft, lint-free, and perfect for cleaning glass. I highly recommend using microfiber cloth because it does not leave bits behind or cause scratches. Another good practice is to keep two cloths to clear car windows and use one for wiping and the other for drying and buffing.

Optional Tools: Squeegee, Coffee Filters, Newspaper

Some people prefer using additional tools to achieve a shiny, streak-free finish on glass surfaces.

• Optional tools include a squeegee, coffee filters, and newspaper.
• A squeegee helps clean outside glass.
• Coffee filters/newspapers can give a streak-free finish.
• Ensure tools are clean and non-abrasive to avoid scratches.

How to Clean Car Windows from Inside

Let me first tell you the methods to clean car windows from the inside. Here is the breakdown of steps involved in spotless and streak-free cleaning for auto windows:

Pre-Clean with Dish Soap or Rubbing Alcohol

Start with wiping the inner side of windows with a little rubbing alcohol or mild dish soap and water. This pre-step will remove greasy spots or film that builds up over time and becomes sticky with the passage of time. This step will remove the greasy substance and let the cleaner work more efficiently.

Spray Cleaner and Wipe in Sections

Instead of spraying the cleaner on the whole window at once, apply it on one section at a time. When you apply the cleaner in one section, wipe it with a soft microfiber cloth, and then move towards the next section. This helps you avoid drips and lets you clean vehicle windows more accurately and better.

Buff with a dry microfiber cloth

After completing the cleaning and wiping of the car windows, use a second dry microfiber towel to buff the window. This step will remove the leftover cleaning solution and give a clearer look to your windows. However, make sure that you use a clean cloth for this task to avoid adding dirt again on the auto window.

Avoid Direct Sunlight to Clean Car Windows

Cleaning in direct sunlight results in quick drying of water, which can leave spots. Try cleaning your windows in the shade so that you do not have to deal with water spots. There are ways to get rid of water spots on car windows, but still, it is wise to stay away from them.

How to Clean Car Windows From the Outside

Cleaning windows from the outside requires some extra precautions due to the huge amount of dirt. Here are some steps to clean car glass windows from the outside:

Rinse Off Road Grime First to Clean Car Windows

The outside of car windows quickly collects the dust on the road. Moreover, there are also high chances of stains from bugs and other insects when they hit windows. If you are in such a situation, first rinse your windows with clean water to remove this layer of grime. Wetting the car window’s surface before cleaning it eliminates the chances of scratches on vehicle windows.

Apply cleaner and wipe vertically

The next step is to apply the cleaning solution to one window or section at a time. Then use the soft microfiber cloth to clean car glass windows. Use the cloth in an up-and-down direction because vertical strokes help remove dirt without smearing. This method also works great if you want to clean vehicle windows without streaks.

Finish with buffing towels to clean car glass windows

The final step is buffing the windows with a soft towel to dry the surface. Wipe in a different direction than you did the first time (like side to side). This will keep streaks away and give your windows a crystal-clear shine.

Tips to Clean Car Windows Without Streaks

Have you learned the process of cleaning car windows? Let me share some tips to avoid streaks. You can follow these three tips to clean vehicle windows from the inside and outside without streaks:

Two-Towel Method Explained

The two-towel method is a simple trick that helps you clean without streaks. This method involves using two towels during the cleaning process. You use one towel to apply the cleaner and wipe off the dirt. Then, you use a second dry towel to buff the glass. This prevents the cleaning solution from drying up and helps you get rid of water spots on car windows.

Use Ammonia-Free Cleaner for Tinted Glass

If your car has tinted windows, always use the ammonia-free car window glass cleaners. Ammonia can harm the tint and even make it peel or bubble over time. You can easily get ammonia-free cleaners in the nearby local stores or online marketplaces.

Inspect in Different Light to Spot Smudges and Tint Glues

If you are trying to remove car tint glue and smudges, always do a little inspection to ensure nothing is left behind. Sometimes, streaks only show up when the light hits at a certain angle. So, it is good practice to retest the surface and make sure that no smudges are left behind.

Don’t Clean in Direct Sunlight

When you clean car windows in direct sunlight, the water drops dry up quickly and leave hard spots. Removing these hard spots from the windows often causes streaks and scratches. Therefore, always clean the car in the shaded region and do not let water drops dry up on the car’s surface.

Avoid paper towels or dirty clothes

Never use paper towels for cleaning because they will leave tiny fibers on the surface. Moreover, always use a clean microfiber cloth because the dust particles in a dirty cloth can cause streaks on a car window.

Don’t Overspray Cleaner

Many people think that over-spraying the cleaner on car windows results in more efficient cleaning. The reality is that too much cleaning solution just makes more mess and causes streaks. Therefore, always use the optimal amount of cleaning solution to clean car windows without streaks from both inside and outside.

Tips for Cleaning Car Windows from Inside

Knowing some hacks and tips makes the cleaning process quick, easy, and efficient. Here are some tips that can help you a lot in the process of cleaning car windows:

Sit on the Passenger Side for Access

The driver’s side has less space for sitting and moving around due to the steering wheel. So, I recommend you sit on the passenger side to clean the car windows from the inside. This way, you will have more room to move around and clean each section of the car windows easily.

Fold Towels to Keep Spots Clean

When you wipe the car windows with a towel, the surface starts getting dirty with mud. Keep cleaning the window from the same side or section of cloth, which can cause streaks. Therefore, fold the towel and keep changing the sides to clean car windows without streaks.

Use Alcohol to Remove Oily Film

The oily stains are difficult to remove using general cleaning solutions. Removing them is necessary because they can stick to the inside of the windshield and create a foggy film. Apply the rubbing alcohol to the cloth and wipe the car windows to remove the oily stains.

Maintenance Tips After Cleaning Your Car Windows

No matter how carefully and efficiently you clean vehicle windows, without maintenance, the dust, scratches, and stains will come again. Here are some tips to maintain windows and keep them clean:

Apply Car Window Tint

One of the most common methods to protect car windows and increase their lifespan is applying tint film. There are many benefits of tinting car windows, and long-term protection is one of them. Moreover, the tinting does not cost much and also gives your car an outstanding look.

Apply Hydrophobic or Glass Sealant

Another good method to maintain windows after cleaning is applying hydrophobic or glass sealant. This sealant will protect your car from dust and other substances. Moreover, you can easily clean the sealant layer because it is highly resistant to dust particles and stains.

Wipe Often to Prevent Buildup

Try to wipe your windows regularly, even if it is just with a dry microfiber towel. The dust and stains can build up very fast, and not cleaning them for too long makes them hard to remove.

Regularly Replace Towels and Tools to Clean Car Windows

When the microfiber cloths get too old, they can wear out and produce streaks. Therefore, always use a clean cloth for cleaning and replace it instantly if you see that the microfibers are damaged on the cloth.

Can You Use Windex on Car Windows?

Yes, you can use Windex on car windows, but only the ammonia-free version. Regular Windex contains ammonia, which is dangerous for car windows, especially if you have applied tint. Therefore, if you want to use Windex, only choose the Windex that is specifically made for car windows and tint films.

Conclusion

Using the right technique, tools, and materials to clean car windows can produce good results. Whether you are cleaning car windows from inside or outside, you must use the right cleaning solution and technique. With a little effort, you will enjoy a crystal-clear and streak-free view every time you drive.