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My Nana wasn’t the type to buy fancy products. If something could be cleaned with vinegar, she was going to prove it. I remember being little, sitting in her car, and the windshield was so spotless it almost looked like it wasn’t there. She’d laugh when I said that, but honestly? She had a knack for glass.
Why This Trick Stuck With Me
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Your windshield stays really clear—no streaks, no glare.
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You don’t have to spend $8 on a spray bottle from the auto store.
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Totally safe for tinted glass.
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It just… works. Simple as that.
What You’ll Need
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White vinegar
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Distilled water
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A spray bottle
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Microfiber cloth (don’t grab paper towels, they’ll just leave lint)
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A soft sponge
Sometimes I throw in a lemon peel to freshen the smell. Not necessary, but it makes me smile.
The Way She Did It
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Mix it. Equal parts vinegar and water, right in the spray bottle. Shake it. Nana would always over-shake, like she was making salad dressing.
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Spray. Don’t be stingy. A good mist across the glass makes everything easier.
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Scrub lightly. Use the sponge to loosen up fingerprints, pollen, or that weird film that shows up after rainy days.
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Wipe in circles. Microfiber cloth in hand—slow, little circles. Straight lines leave streaks, Nana would say.
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Buff. Flip the cloth to a dry side and give it a quick polish. This is the part where it goes from “eh, pretty good” to “wow, did I just buy a new windshield?”
Why It Works
Vinegar’s acidity breaks down grime. Distilled water means no cloudy residue. And microfiber cloths—well, they do what paper towels can’t: actually trap dirt instead of just pushing it around.
Real Talk: Store-Bought vs. Homemade
Yes, the store-bought sprays clean. But they also leave that chemical smell, and half the time you get streaks anyway. Nana’s way? Pennies to make, no harsh junk, and it works first try.
A Few Extra Tips
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Don’t clean in direct sunlight—it dries too fast and streaks.
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Keep a cloth in the glove box. You’ll thank yourself later.
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For winter, splash in a bit of rubbing alcohol so the mix doesn’t freeze.
Final Thought
I still hear her voice every time I’m buffing that glass: “If you can see it, it’s not done yet.” And she was right—once you’ve got it clean, you don’t want to go back.
If you give this trick a try, let me know. Did you add lemon? Did it work better than the blue stuff from the store? I’d love to hear.