13 Other Things You Can Clean with Glass Cleaner

Nearly every home has a spray bottle of glass cleaner in the cupboard. When used as intended, it gives windows and mirrors a clear, streak-free finish. But what else can you do with window cleaner? As it turns out, quite a lot! Our cleaning experts at Merry Maids have compiled a list of 13 other things you can clean with this multipurpose formula. We like to use 3M™ Glass Cleaner and Protector with Scotchgard™ Protection, but these tips should work with whatever brand you have on hand.

Safety Note: We know a certain big-screen big Greek father touted the miraculous healing effects of window cleaner, but most formulas contain ammonia, which is a caustic skin irritant. Be safe and don’t use glass cleaner directly on humans or animals. Delicate electronic screens like phones, televisions, or laptops don’t do well with glass cleaner, either.

With that out of the way, let’s look at all the ways you can use glass cleaner around your home.

Degrease kitchen appliances.

Glass cleaner is an effective degreaser, making it very useful in the kitchen. Spray down your stove top, range hood, backsplash, lighting fixtures, and any other greasy kitchen surfaces. Allow the cleaner to sit for about 10 minutes, then wipe surfaces clean with a soft cloth. For surfaces that come into contact with food, rinse with plain water after degreasing.

Wipe down countertops.

While you’re cleaning up your kitchen appliances with glass cleaner, wipe down your countertops with it, too. It’s safe to use on sealed granite, tile, laminate, sealed marble, and other countertop surfaces, in addition to stainless steel and enamel. As with appliances, be sure to rinse food-contact surfaces with water to eliminate any residual ammonia.

Remove sticky residue.

Adhesive from price tags, stickers, or labels tends to stick around, not only leaving an unsightly spot but also creating a magnet for dirt and debris. Use a little spritz of window cleaner to remove sticky residue from glass, plastic, ceramic—you can even use it on your car without damaging the finish.

Use as an all-purpose bathroom cleaner.

You already use window cleaner on your bathroom mirrors, but did you know it’s also a great toilet bowl stain remover, bathtub and shower de-gunker, and vanity cleaner? Spray glass cleaner into the toilet bowl, allow to sit for about five minutes, and scrub as usual to remove stains. For bathtubs, showers, and vanity countertops, spritz cleaner onto the surface, wipe down with a microfiber cloth or sponge, and rinse with plain water.

Lift spots from microfiber upholstery.

Have you ever attempted to get a stain out of your microfiber sofa only to leave behind water spots? Next time you discover a spill or spot on microfiber upholstery, lightly mist the area with glass cleaner and gently brush in one direction with a soft-bristled brush. Repeat if necessary for tough stains. (If you have light-colored upholstery, you may want to test a small area first or opt for a colorless formula.)

De-gunk kids’ toys.

Whether you have babies, toddlers, or school age children at home, their toys have a tendency to get pretty grimy, as sticky fingerprints, spit-up, and everyday dirt accumulate on blocks, games, and playsets. Spray each item with glass cleaner and wipe down with a soft cloth, then give each a quick rinse under the faucet.

Shine up door knobs and faucets.

Because they are high-touch objects, door knobs and faucets can quickly lose their luster. Use glass cleaner and a soft cloth to shine them up and remove fingerprints, water spots, and other buildup.

Make jewelry sparkle and shine.

Glass cleaner works well as a jewelry cleaner, bringing back the sparkle to wedding rings, necklace chains, and other metal or gemstone pieces. Spray jewelry with window cleaner and gently scrub with a small soft-bristle brush (like a toothbrush), then rinse with cold water. Avoid this method when cleaning soft, porous stones, such as pearls, opals, turquoise, and shells, however, since ammonia can damage them.

Pretreat stubborn laundry stains.

Treat spots with window cleaner to remove even tough stains like red wine or tomato sauce. Using a colorless formula (i.e. not the blue stuff), spray stains with enough glass cleaner to dampen but not drench, and let it soak in for 10-15 minutes. Then, launder as directed. Pro tip: It’s always a good idea to test a small area of the fabric first, especially delicate materials like silk or lace.

Remove stains from carpet.

Window cleaner works as a stain remover on carpet, too! Dampen the carpet stain with glass cleaner, then gently blot the area with a clean cloth. Repeat if necessary until the stain is gone.

Eliminate odors in fabrics or plastic.

Lingering odors in fabrics or plastic, such as campfire smoke in a picnic blanket or broccoli in a plastic container, can be neutralized with glass cleaner. For fabrics, mist with cleaner and allow to dry. (It’s best to use a colorless formula to avoid accidental staining.) For plastic containers, douse a paper towel with cleaner, use it to line the inside of the container, let it sit for about an hour, then rinse.

Clean the interior of your vehicle.

Glass cleaner is the ideal solution for cleaning the interior of your vehicle, since it can be used on a number of surfaces, dries quickly, and won’t leave a sticky residue. Spray onto a clean cloth and wipe down your dashboard, control knobs, steering wheel, center console, door handles, and other nooks and crannies. You can even mist it lightly onto cloth seats and floor mats and allow them to air-dry, neutralizing any lingering odors. One note: Don’t use glass cleaner on the inside of tinted windows, as it can ruin the tint!

Spruce up outdoor furniture.

Keep your patio furniture clean by spritzing it with window cleaner and wiping it down. Do this once every week or two during the outdoor season to keep dirt, dust, and other debris at bay.

Merry Maids® + 3M™ Glass Cleaner and Protector = Spotless Results

Thanks to our partnership with 3M, the innovative leader in cleaning products, many Merry Maids® locations use 3M™ Glass Cleaner and Protector during their house cleaning services. It’s the first glass cleaner to feature buildable Scotchgard™ Protection, meaning that grease, fingerprints, lipstick, and other dirt become even easier to remove and fogging is reduced with repeated use. In other words, glass surfaces look cleaner longer. Ask your local Merry Maids® team about 3M™ Glass Cleaner and Protector!

Looking for more home cleaning and organization ideas from Merry Maids®? Browse through our articles on DIY solutions, seasonal cleaning, quick tips, and more!