As summer arrives with bouts of sunnier weather, you might have noticed that your windows are crying out for a thorough clean. Windows tend to look especially filthy at this time of year, as the sunshine highlights all the grime and rain marks that have built up on the glass during winter.
Pollen can also be a major issue, as it’s an incredibly sticky substance that deposits a cloudy film on windows and, when mixed with water, forms a dense layer that’s tricky to remove, regardless of how hard you scrub. Fortunately, Melody Joy, a DIY expert and creator of Joyelick, has disclosed that one of the best techniques for cleaning windows properly is to use cornflour.
She said “It’s the cornstarch that’s the secret ingredient here. Who knew? (Okay, maybe your grandmother, but now you’re in the know too!)”
View 4 ImagesWindows tend to need a good clean as they often look really grimy (Image: Getty)
There are countless cleaning products and solutions on the market for your windows, but the most frequent problem is that they often leave streaks behind after you’ve wiped down the glass.
These streaks can make a home look dark and dreary, as they block light and can also accumulate into more persistent marks that become ingrained in the glass, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Cornflour is commonly used for deep-cleaning windows thanks to its highly absorbent properties, which help cleaning solutions dry quickly so you won’t have to fret about ugly streaks.
It’s also incredibly fine and abrasive, making it remarkably effective at lifting stubborn residues, such as pollen, without scrubbing or risking damage to the glass.
However, it’s important to note that cornflour can’t be used on its own to clean windows and is typically mixed with other natural glass-cleaning agents, such as white vinegar or rubbing alcohol, to avoid staining.
View 4 ImagesCornflour makes cleaning a window easier as it will prevent streaks from forming (Image: Getty)
You will need:
- 240ml of white vinegar
- 120ml of rubbing alcohol
- One tablespoon of cornflour
- Around 500ml of water
Rubbing alcohol works particularly well at removing greasy residues from glass, such as fingerprints, pollution grime and cooking residue when tackling kitchen windows.
Vinegar, being acidic, can quickly break down the mineral deposits that cause rainwater stains and other natural marks, meaning you won’t need to repeatedly wipe down a window.
View 4 ImagesIt actually takes less than five minutes to clean windows if you use the right items (Image: Getty)
To begin, you’ll need an empty spray bottle, which can be bought in the gardening section of most supermarkets, at pound shops or online.
Simply use a funnel to pour all the ingredients into the spray bottle, fasten the lid and shake well.
Cornflour works brilliantly at cleaning glass, but it has a tendency to settle at the bottom of the bottle, so make sure you give the solution a good shake each time before spraying.
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Then, liberally spray the solution onto the window and wipe it down with a cloth. Any marks should lift from the glass quickly, taking just a few minutes to clean. Your windows will be left sparkling and completely streak-free in just five minutes of effortless cleaning.