Cornstarch usually goes into sauces, soups, and desserts, where it helps thicken liquids. Adding it to a window cleaner seems unusual, especially when vinegar already has a reputation for removing residue from glass. But a homemade cleaning formula shared by Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia combines both ingredients with warm water for cleaning windows and glass surfaces.
The mixture uses three tablespoons of cornstarch, one cup of white vinegar, and one gallon of warm water. Instead of relying on a commercial glass-cleaning spray, it brings together ingredients commonly found in the kitchen.
The hospital includes the formula among household cleaning alternatives intended to reduce exposure to conventional cleaning products, particularly in homes with young children. The cornstarch is the unexpected addition, although the guidance doesn’t establish that it removes streaks better than vinegar and water alone.
Cornstarch changes the usual vinegar cleaning recipe
White vinegar contains acetic acid, which can help dissolve certain mineral deposits and residue left by hard water.
Cornstarch serves a different purpose in the kitchen, where it absorbs moisture and thickens liquids when heated. In this diluted window-cleaning mixture, it remains suspended in the water rather than forming a cooked gel.
The formula uses:
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 gallon (3.78 liters) warm water
Combine the ingredients in a large container and stir to distribute the cornstarch before transferring some of the mixture to a clean spray bottle.
Because cornstarch can settle, shake the bottle before applying the cleaner.
Apply the mixture to glass and windows
Spray a small amount onto the glass, then wipe with a clean microfiber cloth.
Use another dry cloth to remove remaining moisture and residue. If the mixture leaves a cloudy film, wipe the surface again with clean water and dry it.
Avoid soaking window frames, seals, or nearby materials that may be sensitive to vinegar’s acidity.
The formula is intended for glass and window cleaning, not for disinfecting surfaces or replacing every household cleaning product.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia presents homemade cleaners as alternatives worth considering when reducing exposure to conventional products. That doesn’t mean every homemade mixture is harmless or suitable for every surface.
Keep the solution labeled and out of children’s reach, and never mix vinegar with chlorine bleach.
The unusual part of this window cleaner isn’t the vinegar, which already appears in many household cleaning recipes. It’s the addition of cornstarch, a pantry ingredient better known for thickening food than cleaning glass.
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