We all know that Windex is great at cutting through smudges on windows. But, this bottle of blue juice actually can do a lot more than just clean glass. In fact, it’s a cleaning product that works on many different kinds of surfaces and different sources of dirt. Rarely is something truly all-purpose, but Windex is about as close as you can get to that phrase. Here are some new ways that this cleaner can help you around the house.
Get Out Laundry Stains
Instead of a pretreat liquid you can try Windex on your laundry stains. It’s best if you catch it right after the stain was created, but even doing it later can sometimes help. Spray on the stain, let it sit for 15 minutes, then blot at the area. Then rinse with cold water, never hot water as the latter can set stains into place.
Clean Metal Jewelry
For metal jewelry that’s not plated Windex can be a good aid in getting your pieces to sparkle again. Add a little bit to some water and gently go over each piece with a soft bristle toothbrush. Then wash off with water. This method should not be used on plastic jewelry, plated pieces, and jewelry with softer stones like opals, turquoise, coral, pearls, and the like.
Clean Up Paint Spills
I used to work at a paint store and you can imagine we had a lot of spills on a daily basis. Paint would get everywhere! To clean it off we always used Windex. This trick works on hard surfaces, hands, clothes, you name it. The catch is that you have to get it while the paint is still wet. So, now when I’m painting at home I always keep that familiar blue bottle nearby to immediately work on any spills.
For fabrics you’ll want to fully saturate the cloth and then blot -don’t rub- at the paint. It works every time. Sadly it doesn’t work on dried paint- a fact we had to relay on a daily basis to customers who came in asking if there was a magic formula to remove paint.
Kill Bugs
Windex is known to be a convenient bug spray. Flies and ants in particular will die instantly when sprayed generously with this cleaner. With it’s smell of ammonia it can also disrupt the scent trails that ants leave behind, which can help in reducing the number coming into a particular space. The advantage here is not only is Windex cheaper than most bug sprays it’s also a lot less noxious.
This trick isn’t good to use on wasps and hornets since they won’t die immediately and may come back and sting you. For roaches Windex can kill them but it’s not instant.
Clean the Car
Many interior car cleaners are intended to make the surfaces of your car look clean and conditioned. But, in my experience they often leave behind a slippery residue. If you’ve ever had less-than-ideal traction on your steering wheel after a car cleaning then you know this all too well. Windex can clean the glass and dash surfaces of your car without leaving behind any kind of residue. The only caveat here is that Windex can damage acrylic surfaces so make sure to avoid cleaning clear plastics with it.
Cut Grease
To cut grease in the kitchen you can use Windex on a variety of surfaces, including most countertops, hood ranges, and stainless steel appliances. However, you will need to go over any food prep areas with a food-safe cleaner to remove any reside. Still, two cleaners is better than three or four!
Clean Microfiber Upholstery
To get stains out of microfiber upholstery you can use Windex. Again, the spray-and-blot method seems to be ideal for working with fabrics. Microfiber doesn’t tend to stain all that easily, but sometimes oily stains can linger. And, Windex is really good at cutting through oil.
Clean Outdoor Furniture
To get patio furniture ready for use you can spray Windex on it and let it sit for a few minutes before hosing it off. This works on a lot of different materials and really cuts through the gunk that can build up over time when something sits outside for a while.
