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Most individuals learn to cleaning windows using newspaper, which has petroleum based ink or soy ink. White vinegar and newspaper were recommended for cleaning home windows. Does that work to clean glass?
Is newspaper window cleaning a lie that people keep repeating?
As professional window cleaners, newspaper works. It doesn’t always clean newer windows well. Newspaper cleans windows better than rags or paper towels with out smudges or streaks. This applies to cleaning any mirrors in your house, including bathroom and full-length mirrors.
Another great benefit of using newspaper for window cleaning is that it leaves behind no streaks or residue on your windows like some chemical cleaners do. This means you get a clear, polished finish without the cloudy haze that can come from other products or methods.
Wet newspaper may stain window frames black. That ink may need repainting. Thus, although newspaper works better than other approaches, it does not guarantee great-looking windows.
But does everyone still use newspaper?
Not quite. Back in the day, nearly every household had a daily paper, and cleaning windows with yesterday’s news was a no-brainer. The thick, tightly packed soft fibres of newspaper were perfect—strong enough not to disintegrate, soft enough not to scratch glass. Yes, sometimes the ink would run and leave faint marks on your hands or even the window frames, but compared to the streaks from rags or the cost of paper towels, it was a small tradeoff.
In the 80s and 90s, some local newspapers even sold unused newsprint (blank sheets) specifically for cleaning windows and packing delicate items—talk about upcycling! But as print newspapers have become less common thanks to the Internet, most homes don’t have a steady supply of newsprint lying around. To make matters trickier, by the year 2000, most newspapers switched to ink that doesn’t run, but by then, regular newspaper delivery had already fallen out of fashion, and rising subscription prices made it less cost-effective for window cleaning.
Is Cleaning Windows with Newspaper Eco-Friendly?
If you’re wondering whether scrubbing your windows with yesterday’s headlines is actually good for the planet, you’re not alone. The short answer: yes, newspaper cleaning methods can be a more environmentally friendly choice compared to chemical cleaners and disposable paper towels.
Is Cleaning Windows with Newspaper Eco-Friendly?
If you’re wondering whether scrubbing your windows with yesterday’s headlines is actually good for the planet, you’re not alone. The short answer: yes, newspaper cleaning methods can be a more environmentally friendly choice compared to chemical cleaners and disposable paper towels.
Here’s why:
- Less Waste: Newspapers are often already headed for the recycling bin, so giving them a second life before disposal helps reduce overall waste.
- No Chemical Runoff: Traditional glass cleaners are full of ingredients that can be tough on the environment. When you use a simple vinegar-water solution and newspaper, you’re skipping the harsh stuff entirely.
- Biodegradable: Unlike many commercial cleaning cloths and wipes, newspaper breaks down naturally—no microplastics left behind.
- Readily Available: Most homes already have a stack of papers lying around, making it a practical, zero-cost option that doesn’t require special trips to the store.
Of course, it’s not perfect: some inks will still leave a smudge here or there, and you’ll want to avoid using newspaper on window frames that can stain. But in terms of reducing your carbon footprint, you’re certainly doing better than anyone reaching for a bottle of commercial spray and a wad of single-use towels.
A Quick Note on Alternatives
If you’re finding newsprint hard to come by or simply want a faster, more professional finish, squeegees are now the go-to tool for many homeowners and pros alike. The thin rubber blade is gentle on glass, covers a large area, and leaves windows sparkling with less effort—and no risk of inky stains. Still, if you need a quick fix and have some old papers handy, newspaper remains a tried-and-true window cleaning hack.
Newspapers are used to Cleaning Windows Best
Rags streaked windows. Washing them adds to window cleaning. That was the only option for years. Newspaper is thick. Its closely packed soft fibres won’t scratch or damage glass.
Everyone used to get the newspaper regularly. Soft newspaper cleaned windows cheaply and easily without rags.
Golden Rules for Cleaning Windows with Newspaper
To get sparkling, streak-free windows using newspaper, there are a few simple guidelines worth following:
- Pick the Right Cleaner: Most folks swear by a mix of equal parts white vinegar and water—tried and true, and straight out of grandma’s playbook. But if you prefer, you can also reach for a commercial glass cleaner like Windex.
- Apply, Don’t Overdo: Spray your chosen solution directly onto the window pane. There’s no need to drench it; a light mist is enough.
- Crumple, Don’t Fold: Ball up a sheet of newspaper rather than folding it flat. This adds texture, helping to buff out any grime without scratching the glass.
- Gentle Motions: Wipe the window in a circular pattern. No need to press hard—a gentle hand is your best friend.
- Work in Sections: Clean one pane at a time for the best results, and always switch to clean newspaper if the sheet gets too soggy or dirty.
Keep in mind: vinegar can sting your nose, and some newsprint ink might leave smudges on window frames, so take care around painted surfaces.
Paper towels?
People tried cleaning windows with paper towels once they became household objects. Newspaper was cheaper than paper towels. Paper towels feature rough strands that capture liquid but also damage glass. Newspaper cleaning methods are preferred by window cleaners.
When the newspaper became wet, the ink ran, but that was better than using rags or paper towels or cloth to clean. Some small dailies and weekly papers sold unprinted newsprint paper for washing windows and packaging sensitive things in the 1980s and 1990s.
Most families no longer get print newspapers. The Internet killed print newspapers. Most print newspapers upgraded to a non-running ink in 2000, but homeowners had already ceased buying them.
Homeowners who subscribed to the publication paid more. Newspapers were too expensive to clean windows with.
Newspaper window washing is laborious. Briefly:
Spray window cleaner.
Rub newspaper circularly.
Absorb all liquid.
Smudge-free windows start with window cleaner. Use newspaper to loosen dirt. After that, wipe horizontally and vertically to remove streaks and absorb all liquid cleaning.
Each window part requires that. Cleaning several windows may be hard and take hours. That’s why people dislike window washing.
Even with newspaper, it’s tiresome, takes a long time, and you have to pay attention to every window or you’ll have streaky, dull windows.
How to Clean Windows with Newspaper (The Classic Way)
First, gather your supplies: black-and-white newspaper, a spray bottle, and your preferred cleaning solution—white vinegar and water works, or a store-bought glass cleaner like Windex if you’re feeling fancy. For extra cleaning power, some even mix equal parts Coca-Cola and vinegar (the acidity helps dissolve stubborn grime), but classic vinegar and water usually does the trick.
Step-by-step:
- Mix your solution: Go with equal parts white vinegar and water, or about 1/4 cup of each per quart of water, as recommended by The Vinegar Institute.
- Spray generously: Mist the window pane to loosen dirt and debris.
- Crumple newspaper: Ball up the newspaper—its soft, tightly-packed fibers won’t scratch glass and are lint-free.
- Wipe in circles: Rub the glass in circular motions to distribute the cleaner and lift dirt.
- Absorb and polish: Switch to horizontal and vertical wipes to remove streaks and soak up any remaining liquid.
Tips:
- Use a fresh piece of newspaper for each pane to avoid transferring dirt.
- Avoid scrubbing too hard to prevent any scratching.
- Newspaper is more absorbent than paper towels, making it ideal for a streak-free shine.
Still, no matter how you do it, window cleaning with newspaper is laborious. It demands patience, elbow grease, and a sharp eye—otherwise, you end up with streaks and dull spots. Most people would rather do just about anything else.
Better Way
Squeegees are used by households to clean windows inexpensively. Squeegees feature narrow rubber blades. The dull blade loosens dirt and grime without scratching the glass, making it ideal for window cleaning.
Squeegees clean windows faster because they cover more area. Professional window cleaners use industrial cleaner and squeegees to clean windows.
Squeegee
Use a cloth to wipe the squeegee after each stroke while cleaning windows. That keeps windows streak-free. Depending on the cleaner, squeegeeing may not clean windows. For best results, make sure to wipe the rubber blade with a rag every time you finish a pass—this simple step helps prevent streaks and leaves your windows shining clean. Depending on the cleaner, squeegeeing may not clean windows completely, so if you’re still seeing grime or residue, try switching to a different window cleaning solution.
Indoor windows are OK with home cleaners or vinegar and water. Commercial window cleaners shine outside windows better. These professional-grade cleaners remove grime, debris, pollen, and other muck off windows. Water and dish soap may often enough.
Dirty Windows or Mirrors Are Annoying
If you haven’t cleaned your windows recently, they may be covered with grime. Winds might throw debris onto the glass. Cleaning automobile windows is worse. Summer heat bakes pollen and dust onto windows. The windows may have leaves or heavier debris.
A regular household cleaner from the grocery store or big box store just won’t remove that accumulation. The stubborn layer of crud—think baked-on pollen, dust, or even the occasional leaf—can be surprisingly tough to tackle. If you’re facing outdoor windows that haven’t seen a squeegee in ages, it’s a smarter move to hire a window cleaner for outside windows.
Professional window cleaners can swiftly and effectively clean your outside windows. Commercial cleaners learn several washing methods to move quickly from window to window. They also have ladders and other equipment to reach high windows that you shouldn’t wash.
Use Proper Tools for Best Results
If you clean inside windows yourself, get a squeegee and a good glass cleaner. Call a specialist to clean your exterior windows. The cost is low compared to the time and resources needed to clean outside windows. Newspaper can clean windows in a hurry.
