By Haroun Adamu
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One of the easiest ways to make your car look brand new is by cleaning the windows and windshields—plus, it improves visibility. And you don’t even have to get a professional window cleaner to do the job.
This post will show you the best car window cleaners to get in 2023 to make your windows sparkling clean. The products are categorized based on our preferred use cases, so you don’t even need to stress about which one to pick.
Choosing the Best Car Window Cleaner
Although picking a window cleaner for your vehicle may seem easy, here are a few factors to remember before making a choice.
Exterior Glass vs. Interior Screen
Typically, window cleaners are designed for the windshields and glasses of cars. However, cars also have interior—usually smart—screens that require cleaning often. In fact, most modern vehicles have a built-in infotainment display for media, connectivity, and even air conditioning controls.
It goes without saying that the traditional glass cleaner’s formula is unsuitable for your car’s delicate touch screen. Our list includes picks for both windows and interior screens, so you can get what your car needs.
Versatility
Some glass cleaners are multipurpose, hence, can be used to clean more than just glass. This is usually very beneficial, considering how inconvenient it is to purchase and keep track of many different cleaners. So, if you want a glass cleaner that can also be used for other cleaning tasks, check the tiny print of the item before purchasing it.
Ease of Use
Some cleansers are concentrated and must be blended with water before being poured into spray bottles. This might be inconvenient for individuals who want to clean their windows fast.
Alternatively, there are spray foam cleansers that do not drop or dribble all over your glass, decreasing the likelihood of haziness and streaking.
Best Car Window Cleaners
Here are our top picks for the best car window cleaners of 2023.
Best Car Window Cleaner Overall: Chemical Guys Signature Series Glass Cleaner
Chemical Guys is a dependable company that consistently provides high-quality car maintenance products, and its signature series glass cleaner is no exception. It is a powerful glass cleaner for car windows, mirrors, laptops, phones, and other surfaces.
It is one of the most versatile cleaners on the market, with a broad range of applications. It can be used on automobiles as well as around the home. A unique feature of this product is its streak-free recipe. The liquid easily sprays and distributes over a surface, eliminating dirt, dust, debris, bugs, and other residues without leaving water lines.
The formula is non-toxic and ammonia-free, making it suitable for several surfaces. It is also ideal for tinted windows. Furthermore, the cleanser leaves behind a pleasant fragrance after use.
A versatile window cleaner from a trusted brand, it gets everything right. This cleaner will do a great job with its streak-free formula and non-toxic nature.
- No ammonia, gentle on surfaces
- Suitable for windows, mirrors, and screens
- Pleasant odor
- May streak if not cleaned thoroughly
- Nozzle might loosen with usage
Best Runner-up Car Window Cleaner: Meguiar’s Perfect Clarity Glass Cleaner
Meguiar’s G8224 windshield cleaner is an ammonia-free base solution that will not damage tinted glass. Not only that, but you may use it for your car’s windshield and other glass windows without any trouble.
Because this cleaner comes in a spray container, you can apply it to your glass effortlessly. In addition, the bottle’s design is outstanding since it features specific gripping or holding areas. So, you can effortlessly handle this cleaner even after getting your hands wet.
An excellent non-toxic glass cleaner for many different surfaces. It features a grip design that makes it easier to hold with wet hands.
- Anti-hazing formula
- Dust resistant
- Tint safe
- Pricey
Best Premium Car Window Cleaner: Nexgen All-Purpose Glass Cleaner
This tint-safe, easy-to-use automobile glass cleaner will keep your windows shining and protected. It easily removes dirt, dust, fingerprints, grease, oil, and grime without leaving residues, stains, or muss.
The Nexgen glass cleaner includes static-inhibiting chemicals, which make it harder for dust particles to stick to your windows. It does this by dissipating the charges typically formed on the surface when wiped with a towel.
This cleaner is versatile and ideal for automobile screens, windows, windshields, and mirrors. The advanced formula has no volatile chemicals or caustic components, guaranteeing that your pricey vehicle tint gets a sensitive but thorough clean.
A multipurpose glass cleaner that doesn't leaves residues behind. Its charge-dissipating formula helps attract fewer dust particles to your glass.
- Tint-safe
- Doesn't leave residues
- Doesn't streak
- Confusing instructions on the bottle
Best Affordable Car Window Cleaner: Sprayway Glass Cleaner
The Sprayway glass cleaner removes grease, grime, filth, and other contaminants from your car’s windows while leaving a fresh and pleasant aroma behind. It’s also great for eliminating streaks from glass.
Like the Chemical Guys and Nexgen cleaners, this one works on any glass surface, not just automobile windows. It can even clean electronic displays like laptops, smartphones, and TVs.
One thing we really liked about the Sprayway glass cleaner is that it’s made with a non-dripping formula. It’s slightly more viscous than most of the competition, making for a less runny experience. Plus, it has a gentle foaming effect that makes cleaning easier.
An inexpensive glass cleaner with a pleasant smell and excellent cleaning prowess. It boasts a non-dropping formula.
- Leaves no residue
- Affordable
- Pleasant odor
- Strong odor may be bothersome
Best Car Window Cleaner for Touchscreens: Whoosh Screen Cleaner
Whoosh! is a robust and non-toxic screen cleaner that will keep the display of your smart devices looking flawless. It’s odorless and comes with three antimicrobial microfiber wipes to help you get the most out of each spray.
Using the cleaner is easy. Simply spray or spritz it directly on the accompanying microfiber mini-towel and gently wipe it over the screen. When done, massage the display with the dry side of the towel to make it shine. The bundled mini-towel is washable and reusable up to 40 times before losing its quality.
A powerful and non-toxic screen cleaner specifically made for soft touch screens and eyeglasses. It removes stains, germs, and bacteria.
- Long-lasting
- Safe for most screens
- Included towels are bad
Best Car Window Cleaner for Bad Weather: Rain-X Glass Treatment & Anti-Fog Combo
As the name suggests, the Rain-X glass treatment & anti-fog combo contains two exciting products. The glass treatment cleans the outside, like most other products on this list, while the anti-fog solution is intended for the inside.
The combination makes it harder for rain, sleet, and snow to stick to your glass from the outside and prevents fogging from the inside. The result is that your vision is not hugely compromised while driving in bad weather.
A pair of window cleaners that leave your windshields flawless, improve visibility, and prevent fogging.
- Good for all-weather visibility
- Anti-fog
- Inexpensive
- Strong chemical odor
Best Bulk Car Window Cleaner: Stoner Invisible Glass Foam Cleaner
If you’ve ever used a windshield or glass washer, you’ve probably heard of the Invisible Glass firm. The company’s 91164-2PK glass cleaner is now one of the most popular options on the market. The two-unit pack offers terrific value when considering the price-to-capacity ratio.
The glass cleaner is safe for both tinted and non-tinted windows and won’t leave any residues behind. While this is a pack of two, you can get packets of up to 12 cleaners, with the value for money increasing the more you buy.
A glass cleaner from a renowned firm. It helps to remove heavily collected dirt and grime from your windshield.
- Great value
- Well priced
- Sprayer seems fragile
Best Car Window Cleaner and Rain Repellent: Rain-X Glass Cleaner + Rain Repellent
The Rain-X glass cleaner is suitable for cleaning almost all automobile and household windows. Its unique formula effectively eliminates snow, ice, bugs, filth, watermarks, and other residues from your windshields while leaving behind a protective layer that repels rain.
The application is simple: spray the liquid over the surface and wipe it away. There is no need for further polishing. Plus, it leaves no residue, so you won’t have to deal with pesky stains after cleaning.
A versatile cleaner that leaves behind a protective layer on your glass to repel rain.
- Residue-free formula
- Cleans fast and with minimal effort
- Rain protection
- Protective coat may be visible if not properly used
Best Car Window Cleaner Wipes: Armor All Glass Wipes
You won’t find many car products that are as easy to use as these Armor All glass wipes. Simply take a wipe and, well, start wiping. They are suitable for both the inside and outside of your car windows and are ammonia-free, making them okay for tinted glass.
It’s easy to think the wipes are just tissue paper, but unlike tissue, they leave no streaks, making for excellent clarity and shine.
The best window cleaner wipes for streak-free and haze-free wiping.
- Ammonia free
- Disposable
- Dries out if not well sealed
Best Car Window Cleaning Tool Kit: Stoner Invisible Glass Reach and Clean Tool Kit
Invisible Glass makes another appearance on this list thanks to its perfect window cleaning product combo. The tool kit includes a sprayable glass cleaning aerosol and a window wand with extra microfiber bonnets.
The window cleaner works like most others on this list—spray and wipe with a microfiber cloth. However, the differentiator is the window wand which allows you to reach the depths of your inner windshield and rear glass without straining too much.
A versatile and flexible cleaning kit to help you reach and clean those hard-to-reach areas of your windshield and rear glass.
- Handy tools
- Easy to use
- Suited for interior windshields
- Protective coat may be visible if not properly used
Proper Equipment and Technique
The best car window cleaner alone is not enough. For excellent results, you need to combine it with other gear like microfiber towels, for example. Microfiber towels are ideal for cleaning glass since they do not streak and readily absorb the cleaning solution.
You could also use a squeegee as it evenly covers broad areas of your window simultaneously. However, avoid using paper towels which may scratch your glass and leave fibers behind.
It is also critical to follow the proper cleaning procedure—make vertical or horizontal passes until clean. Never wipe your glass in circular motions, as this will make even micro scratches more obvious.
How to Clean a Windshield Properly?
It’s important to read the instructions on the cleaner before using it. However, for most of them, the process should be pretty similar.
First, thoroughly rinse your windshield with water. Then, apply your preferred glass cleaner (whether by spraying it or otherwise) and wipe with a clean microfiber cloth to remove all the dirt and grime.
For even better results, spray some of the cleaner on a second microfiber towel and buff the glass. This should help create a nice streak-free effect whenever you wash your car.
Why Buy a Car Window Cleaner?
You can most certainly keep your car clean without a window cleaner. But if you want to go the extra mile, here’s why you should get one:
Specially Formulated For Automotive Glass
Glass is glass, and glass differs from paint. Of course, your regular car wash soap will do a good enough job cleaning your glass. However, a window cleaner is specially formulated to interact with glass and remove the dirt that accumulates on it.
Plus, glass is transparent, so window cleaners can be slightly stronger than the average car soap, which will interact with your car’s paint and clear coat.
Will Not Haze
Although automotive glass seems smooth, it is filled with micro pits and fissures that gather mineral deposits and give the glass a hazy appearance. Car glass cleaners are specifically developed to remove mineral deposits from the surface of automobile glass while leaving no residues behind. Some are also made to reduce the blurring effect of bad weather—rain or snow—on your glass.
Reduce Streaks
Due to wear and tear, car windows are prone to streaking over time, but glass cleaners can help with this. They’re specially formulated to apply a specific coating on your car’s surface, making it harder for bands of water to form after washing.
FAQs
Why Do My Car Windows Streak When I Clean Them?
Your car windows streak when you clean them because of the rate of evaporation caused by washing your automobile in the sun. The cleaning solution and water you use to clean the windows evaporate quickly, leaving a thin residue on the panes that appear as streaks.
How Do You Remove Streaks From Car Windows?
Scratched windshields look streaky; this not only degrades the outside appearance of a vehicle but also reduces clarity and vision. Remember that the scratches may not affect sight or transparency in the morning, but they may at night.
You should clean and replace your wiper blades regularly and use a windshield cleaner often.
Can I Use Vinegar To Clean Windshield?
You can use vinegar to clean your windshield. To prepare the solution, pour some vinegar and a small amount of soap into a bowl of water. The results can be pretty surprising.
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