7 Best Window Cleaners, According to Lab Testing
Mirror, mirror on the wall, what makes you cleanest of all?
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While you might not even notice a little spot on your carpet or fingerprints on a wall, a smudged, splattered, filmy glass surface, mirror or window can be very obvious and bothersome. A good glass cleaner is a must-have in any cleaning arsenal and it should be one that cuts grime quickly and is easy and neat to use. To find out which glass and window cleaners are best and to produce helpful window cleaning advice and tips, like the common mistakes to avoid when cleaning your windows, our Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care and Cleaning Lab experts evaluate multiple brands every year both in the Lab and at home.
In the Lab, we apply the cleaners to black glass panels that we’ve smeared with greasy fingerprints, lipstick marks, household dust and other everyday stains (think the toothpaste that you accidentally squirted on your bathroom mirror). We time how quickly each glass cleaner works, count how many passes it takes to completely clean the glass and — after a maximum number of passes — assess how much residue and streaking is left behind. We use black glass because it makes telltale streaks and smudges easier to see. In our last battery of tests, we wiped more than 300 strokes! Here are our top-performing window and glass cleaners for 2026.
Pros
- Cuts through grime better than other glass cleaners
- Doesn't drip
Cons
- Reviewers said its scent is a bit strong
Ever spray on a glass cleaner and have to quickly reach for your cloth or paper towels before the product drips onto the sill or worse, the floor? You don’t have to worry about that with Invisible Glass. Our tests found that the fine mist goes on evenly and clings to the surface so you won’t be chasing drips. It also works well for stuck-on stains, like mud, bird droppings and the tape residue left on your windows from putting up holiday decorations. We found the EZ-grip trigger comfortable to hold and got streak-free results when we used a microfiber cloth to buff the glass dry.
| Type | Trigger spray aerosol |
| Size | 32 oz. |
| Scent | Yes |
| Cost per oz. | $0.13 |
Pros
- Cuts through grease better than other glass cleaners
- Safe for use on granite and stainless steel
Cons
- Reviewers said its scent is a bit strong
When you cook at home a lot, it’s practically impossible to avoid grease splatters on your cooktop, oven and microwave doors. While ordinary glass cleaners often aren’t that effective on heavy grease (especially if splatters have been stuck on for a while), Cinch Glass Cleaner did a great job cutting through it in our Lab tests. Our experts also liked that the cleaner can be used on multiple kitchen surfaces, including stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. Cinch was originally launched as a glass and multi-surface cleaner so it was formulated to cut grease and clean glass without streaking. Even though it now calls itself just a glass cleaner, it has as much muscle as it always did. Some report that it has a stronger scent than other brands but we didn’t notice it.
| Type | Trigger spray liqud |
| Size | 32 oz. |
| Scent | Yes |
| Cost per oz. | $0.10 |
Pros
- Cleans quicker and with less streaking than some other brands
- Safe for tinted windows
Cons
- More expensive per ounce than some other brands
HOPE's Perfect Glass lives up to its name, shining windows and other glass surfaces with fewer strokes than other brands our experts tested. The alcohol in this product is the secret sauce. It evaporates quickly without extra buffing or leaving streaks behind. It’s also safe to use to freshen up the glass screens on monitors, tablets and phones. Just be sure to spray it on your cloth rather than directly on the device. Hope's has a slightly higher price point than some competitors, but the time and effort you save and its versatility make it a cost effective choice.
| Type | Trigger spray liquid |
| Size | 32 oz. |
| Scent | No |
| Cost per oz. | $0.41 |
Pros
- Portable
- Less messy than sprays
Cons
- Can’t use on granite or marble surfaces
- Less eco-conscious than a reusable cloth
For situations where using or lugging around a spray bottle would be a hassle, Windex Glass Cleaning Wipes are a convenient solution. Stash a pack in the car to clear finger and nose smudges left behind by kids or pets and even bird droppings that appear out of nowhere on your windshield. Our team of experts tested them in the Lab and at home and found them especially effective and useful to clean crystal light fixtures and the small panes of glass-front cabinets as they don't drip and you don’t have to carry and juggle a cumbersome bottle and a separate cloth while climbing a ladder. Windex wipes aren't recommended for use on granite or marble.
| Type | Pre-moistened wipes |
| Size | 25 wipes |
| Scent | Yes |
| Cost per wipe | $0.18 |
Pros
- Cleans with just water
- Reusable
- Cleans and polishes
- Large
Cons
- May need several to do a lot of windows
This pack of two microfiber cloths from E-Cloth cleans and shines up windows when dampened just with plain water. In a recent test, our Lab experts were amazed at how quickly and well they cleaned a rain-splattered door glass, cleaning and drying it faster than any other cloths we’ve tested and without using any glass cleaning formula! Start by dampening the waffle weave cloth and use it to remove dirt and grime. Its large size provides lots of cleaning area, but be sure to turn the cloth often and rinse and wring it as it picks up the dirt for the best results. Then, you can use the smooth weave cloth to polish and shine glass. The cloths washed and dried very well in our tests and are guaranteed by E-Cloth to last up to 100 washes, but laundering in hot water is recommended.
| Type | Microfiber cloths |
| Size ` | 2 cloths |
| Scent | None |
| Cost per use | N/A |
Windex Outdoor All-In-One Glass and Window Cleaner Tool Starter Kit
Windex Outdoor All-In-One Glass and Window Cleaner Tool Starter Kit
Pros
- Reaches windows as high as 10 to 11 feet
- Easy to assemble and use
Cons
- Need to buy replacement pad after about 20 uses
- Windows may not dry totally streak-free
Second story and hard-to-reach windows are easier to clean without a ladder thanks to this All-in-One Glass and Window Cleaner Tool Starter Kit from Windex. Simply dampen outdoor windows and one cleaning pad with a hose. Place the pad on the pole and wipe the windows. In our tests, we found the water-activated cleaner in the pad cut through and dissolved outdoor dirt and grime. After cleaning, simply rinse the window again with your garden hose and let it air dry.
The pole extends four feet, so depending on how tall you are, you will likely be able to reach windows that are 10 to 11 feet or so high. In our tests, we used it to clean an awkward, hard-to-reach garden window and reach over some bushes to easily clean a bay window without needing a ladder. Though windows won't likely be as polished as if you cleaned them by hand, this kit definitely removes heavy grime and we think it's an easy way to give hard-to-reach windows a quick refresh. Each pad claims to clean about 20 windows before it needs replacing and the kit only contains one pad.
| Type | Cleaning pads and pole |
| Size | 1 pole and pad |
| Scent | No |
| Cost per oz. | N/A |
Pros
- Kills bacteria and viruses
- Can be used on many surfaces beyond glass
Cons
- May need extra buffing on glass to remove streaks
If you’re looking to streamline your cleaning routine, Windex Multisurface Disinfectant Cleaner is about as close to one-size-fits-all as it gets. Yes, it cleans glass and mirrors but it can also be used it to wipe down chrome fixtures, glass cooktops, bathroom tile, shower doors and more as it contains more grease and grime-cutting ingredients than typical window cleaners. Just like other disinfecting cleaners, you need to leave this version of Windex on hard non-porous surfaces for 10 seconds to sanitize them and for 10 minutes to disinfect and kill germs, like viruses and bacteria. Use it in the kitchen, bathroom or wherever you want a deeper clean. It has a citrus scent and may take a bit of extra buffing on glass windows, doors and mirrors to completely remove all streaks.
| Type | Trigger spray liquid |
| Size | 28 oz. |
| Scent | Yes |
| Cost per oz. | 15 cents |
How we test window and glass cleaners
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care and Cleaning Lab, we test dozens of surface cleaning products every year, from all-purpose cleaners that tackle messes all around the home to dedicated products like stainless steel cleaners that keep your appliances fingerprint-free and glass and window cleaners. Even DIY cleaners are tested in our Lab (only the safe ones, of course).
We evaluate glass and window cleaners in several ways. First, we evenly smear black glass test panels with greasy fingerprints, a dusty/greasy mix and lipstick marks. We use black glass because it’s easier to assess any film or streaks the test cleaners leave behind. Then we apply a measured amount of glass cleaner, wipe it a pre-determined number of strokes and score the thoroughness of cleaning. Finally, we completely clean the glass and count the number of passes required to do so for each test cleaner.
Next, we spray the cleaner on a greasy lipstick smear we've applied to the glass and time how long it takes for the cleaner to break or dissolve the lipstick. We use weights to control the level of pressure applied with each pass and use identical paper towel sheets for each cleaner. (Of course, we recommend you use microfiber cloths at home!)
During our testing, we note any streaking or filminess after cleaning and how difficult it is to remove them. We look at how drippy and messy or neat and convenient the products are to use and dispense, the completeness of the label directions and any safety cautions that need to be included on the label. Then we grade each brand on effectiveness, formulation, packaging, ease of use and clarity of directions. In our latest round of testing, we wiped more than 300 strokes just to assess cleaning performance alone!
What to consider when buying a glass cleaner
✔️Ingredients: Think about what you plan to clean. If ammonia or vinegar are in the ingredients list, keep in mind that you won’t be able to use the product on tinted glass surfaces or granite countertops. If you’re sensitive to scents, consider purchasing a product that doesn’t contain added fragrance.
✔️Form: Liquid sprays are the most common type, but they can also be the drippiest to use. Sprays that dispense as a fine mist are neater. Foams go on heavier and may need extra wiping. Pre-moistened wipes are convenient, but can dry out quickly and are likely more expensive per use than other forms.
✔️Sustainability: A growing number of brands are offering recyclable or reusable packaging and concentrates that you mix with your own water. No matter which brand you purchase, consider using it along with a reusable and washable microfiber cloth rather than paper towels. You’ll get better results and make less waste.
Do glass cleaners kill bacteria and viruses on surfaces?
Not usually. Even though many brands of glass cleaners contain ammonia and alcohol, they aren’t formulated with the ingredients or amounts necessary to sanitize or disinfect surfaces. To know that a cleaner is effective at killing germs, look for an EPA registration number on the label. You’ll usually find it on the bottom of the back label. It’s what we use in the GH Cleaning Lab to confirm that any sanitizing or disinfecting claims have been tested and supported. For instance, one of our picks, Windex Multisurface Disinfectant Cleaner, contains the active ingredient lactic acid and is EPA registered.
Can I use window cleaners on other surfaces?
In some cases, yes. Most window and glass cleaners can safely be used to clean chrome fixtures, laminate countertops, glass cooktops and more. We don’t recommend using them, however, on electronics, wooden floors and table surfaces and certain types of kitchen countertops, like granite, especially if they contain ammonia or vinegar. Check the product’s label to determine where it’s safe to use — and where you should avoid applying it.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Carolyn Forté has more than 45 years of experience as a consumer products expert, testing all kinds of glass cleaners on windows, glass-top tables, mirrors and a multitude of other surfaces. She has met with and visited the manufacturing facilities of major glass cleaner manufacturers and is a stickler for clean windows and glass in her own home. She loves her gas-on-glass cooktop because it’s so easy to clean, has many glass-front cabinets to clean and has been known to take vacation days from work to stay home to clean her own home windows.
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
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