Cleaning a windshield may seem like a relatively easy task, but it’s challenging, especially when it comes to cleaning the inside! An unclean windshield can hinder your visibility, and driving with it can have severe consequences.
Why does the windshield get so gross even after wiping it multiple times? How to clean the inside of the windshield without leaving streaks?
Well, there’s a simple science behind it, but still, most drivers are not aware of how to do it the right way.
This article covers the best hacks to clean the inside of the windshield and make it pristinely clean so that you get amazing visibility and driving your ride becomes more comfortable and safer.
Contents (Jump to Topic)
How Does My Windshield Get So Dirty?
The air carrying the dust and dirt particles strike the outside of the windshield, why does it get dirty on the inside? There are a myriad of reasons why the inside of the windshield gets dirty every now and then.
The biggest reason is the moisture present inside the cabin, when you turn on the AC, cold air strikes the glass, and makes it wet. Furthermore, when the air carrying dust comes in contact with the wet windshield, it gets dirty.
Other reasons include the fingerprints of your curious kids, and the doggie noses, whenever you travel with your furry friend. There aren’t any wiper blades on the inside, so you need to clean the glass manually and make it streak-free.
Things You’ll Need to Clean Inside the Windshield
You need a plethora of things to clean the inside of the windshield and keep it squeaky clean all the time. First, gather all these items in one place, and then get started with the step-by-step process.
- Rubbing alcohol
- Vinegar
- Dishwasher soap
- Lint-free microfiber cloth
- Water
How to Clean a Car Windshield from Inside: Step by Step
Step 1: Prepare a DIY Solution
Using a homemade windshield cleaner has numerous benefits, such as it saves you a lot of money and is readily available. Take a bottle and fill it half with water. Now pour a few drops of dishwasher soap and vinegar into it.
Shake well, and use a spray bottlehead to ensure the solution evenly spreads on the windshield and does not fall off on the dashboard and other components of the car.
Step 2: Cover the Dashboard
Whether your ride has a leather dashboard or a hard plastic one, it is indispensable to cover it properly before you start cleaning the windshield. Use old newspapers or rags and spread them over the dash.
Step 3: Wipe the Windshield
Take a soft microfiber cloth or any soft rag to remove the dust. Start with the corners, and then dust the entire glass. If you ride a sedan, you may find it challenging to clean the corners due to the aerodynamic design. Instead, use a soft bristle brush to clean the corners properly.
Step 4: Take Rubbing Alcohol on a Rag to Remove Stains
Mere dusting isn’t adequate to remove the stubborn stains. Take a little amount of rubbing alcohol on a cloth and wipe off the windshield with it.
If required, take some more alcohol, but avoid spraying it directly on the glass since it can drip down on the dashboard, causing discoloration issues.
Take another dry rag, and clean the glass properly so that there is no alcohol solution left on it.
Step 5: Spray Glass Cleaner and Buff the Windshield
Now spray the DIY car windshield cleaner on a rag, and apply it to the windshield. Wipe the glass in a circular motion, as it is the best technique to avoid streaks. Keep changing the towels as they get dirty because using a dirty rag can lead to smears on the glass, which then dry and become visible streaks.
Make the windows completely dry before you ride your car, as a wet screen will again attract dirt, and all your effort might go in vain.
Tips for Keeping Your Windshield Clean
Now you have a sparkling clean windshield, but keeping it clean for longer is another task! The glass will again attract dust and dirt as you turn on the AC or your kids touch it with wet hands.
Here are a handful of tips that I use to keep the glass clean for longer. Also, it curtails the hassles of cleaning, and you don’t have to spend hours cleaning the windshield every other day.
1. Clean it Inside the Garage
I’ve seen people cleaning the windshield in direct sunlight, thinking that it will help the glass dry faster. But sunlight has an opposite effect. Yes, the glass does get dry faster, but you’ll see streaks all over the glass.
Clean your ride inside the garage to make the windshield streak-free.
2. Roll Down the Windows
Keeping the windows rolled down improves the airflow inside the car, which as a result, helps dry the glass quickly. Also, you can clean the top of the windows simultaneously when cleaning the windshield.
3. Clean the Windshield at the End
Always clean the exterior first when cleaning your car. Start with the tires, and then proceed to the car’s body. Cleaning the windshield, in the end, keeps it clean, and there are fewer chances of it getting dirty when you clean the dashboard or other components of the vehicle.
4. Use Glass Polish
Buffing the glass with polish serves you with multiple benefits, such as it keeps the windshield clean and protects it from scratches. So invest in a good quality polish, and buff the glass with it.
Things to Avoid When Cleaning the Inside of the Windshield
The windshield is a delicate component, and cleaning it requires care. Here are a few things you need to avoid at all costs when cleaning the glass.
1. Don’t Spray any Solution Directly
Spraying any solution over the glass can result in smears and streaks. Moreover, you won’t be able to clean the glass properly as the solution drips quickly, which causes wastage. Always spray the solution over the rag, and then clean the glass.
2. Avoid Using Too Much Soap
The less soap you use, the better will be the cleaning, and this is the reason why I recommend dish soap rather than regular soap solution. Vinegar and rubbing alcohol do an excellent job, so you should use them in more quantities than soap.
3. Don’t Skip the Drying Phase
The drying phase is as crucial as cleaning the windshield. Allow the windshield to dry after every step so that there aren’t any streaks at all.
4. Don’t Use Paper Towels and Other Linty Fabrics
No doubt, paper towels have excellent adsorbent properties, but they do leave streaks on the glass. Always use clean and soft microfiber rags to clean the glass.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How Often Do You Need to Clean the Inside of a Windshield?
A1: Well, it depends on how much you drive your vehicle and where you drive it. Typically, you should clean the inside of the windshield two or three times every month to keep the glass clean and get good visibility.
Q2: Can I Clean a Windshield with Vinegar if it’s Cracked?
A2: Vinegar does not affect the crack in any way, but it would be great to repair the windshield crack before cleaning it. Also, be gentle with the cracked glass since it can get damaged quickly while cleaning.
Q3: What’s the film on the inside of my Car’s Windshield? Can I still Clean It?
A3: Some cars come with a tinted windshield, and the purpose of the tint is to protect the passengers from UV rays. Yes, you can still clean the windshield, as the tint does not react to vinegar and rubbing alcohol.
However, clean the glass gently so that you don’t end up scrapping the tinted film.
Q4: Do I need a Windshield Tool to Clean the Inside of the Windshield?
A4: The best tool to clean the inside of windshield is Invisible Glass 95161 Reach and Clean Tool, as it can easily reach the hard-to-clean areas of the windshield. However, you can still manage to clean the glass without such tools.
Q5: What causes a Greasy Layer on the Windshield, and How to Clean It?
A5: The primary cause of the greasy layer is moisture and dirt. Clean the inside of the windshield with vinegar to get rid of grease. Take some vinegar on a soft rag, and clean the stains.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how to clean the inside of the windshield, you can go ahead and clean it properly. The tips listed in this article will help you keep the glass clean for longer, and there won’t be any streaks on it.
There’s no escape route to cleaning the glass, and you have to spend time cleaning it. Make sure to keep the glass protected from moisture and dust by either using a tinted film or by buffing the glass with a good polish.
Last update on 2024-04-25 at 07:24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API