I’m sure we’ve all been there – you’ve just finished cleaning your windows or glass shower doors and despite your best efforts, they still have streaks and look dirty. It’s so frustrating! Well, I recently discovered a clever hack that has completely changed the glass cleaning game for me.
Why Glass Gets Streaky
Glass is actually porous on a microscopic level, which means it absorbs dirt, grease, soap scum, and minerals from water over time. When you try to clean it, some of that grime remains trapped in the pores even after you wipe it away. The paper towel or cloth just moves the particles around, leaving unsightly streaks behind.
Using Newspapers for Streak-Free Shine
The secret to getting glass sparkling clean is to use newspaper instead of paper towels or rags! Newspaper is highly absorbent and the ink acts as a solvent to cut through grease and soap scum. Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Spray Glass Surface with Vinegar Solution
- Fill spray bottle with 1 part white vinegar to 1 part water
- Lightly spray surface of glass until damp – avoid saturating
The vinegar helps dissolve soap scum and mineral deposits.
Step 2: Wipe with Newspaper
- Crumple up sheets of newspaper into a ball
- Wipe glass using circular motions
- Discard and use new paper as needed
The newspaper grabs and absorbs all the dirt and moisture.
Step 3: Buff Dry with Newspaper
- Take a fresh sheet of newspaper and go over the glass again
- Really buff the glass in order to eliminate any leftover streaks
- Discard newspaper again after use
Buffing at the end ensures no moisture is left behind.
Why Newspaper Works Better Than Paper Towels
There are a few key reasons why newspaper makes such an amazing glass cleaning hack:
- Newspaper is highly absorbent – it quickly soaks up dirt, grease, and moisture
- Ink acts as a solvent – it helps cut through soap scum and grime
- Cheap and easily accessible – everyone has old newspapers around
- Disposable – no need for rags that spread around dirt
Paper towels simply move around the dirt. The lint-free pulp of newspaper grabs and absorbs particles much more effectively.
My Experience With This Miracle Glass Hack
I was pretty skeptical at first, but decided to give this newspaper trick a try after reading so many rave reviews online. I’m so glad I did!
The first time I used it on my glass shower doors, I was amazed by how quickly and easily the newspaper dissolved all the soap scum and water marks. After buffing the glass dry, it looked immaculate with no streaks whatsoever.
Now newspaper is my go-to for cleaning all the glass surfaces in my home – windows, mirrors, tabletops, you name it.
It has seriously saved me so much time and frustration. I no longer have to redo my glass cleaning two or three times to get a streak-free shine.
More Tips for Flawless Glass
Here are a few extra pointers to take your glass cleaning to the next level:
- Use a squeegee on shower doors after wiping them down
- Mix in essential oils like lemon, peppermint or tea tree for streak-free aroma
- Switch out newspapers frequently to prevent dirt buildup
- Microfiber cloths also work well for the final buff dry
With these tricks, I can confidently say goodbye to frustratingly streaky glass once and for all!
