12 Best Automotive Glass Cleaners for Clean Windows and Windshields

What Is the Best Car Glass Cleaner?

Our cars are one of our most prized possessions. So, it is important to keep them in pristine condition at all times. Although a trip to a car wash might remove the dirt from body panels, the windows are an area that is often overlooked.

If you are keen on cleaning your car windows properly, a car glass cleaner will be your best friend. But, out of the thousands of products on the market, which is the best one? Well, we will be answering that question for you here today. Keep reading to find out the 12 best automotive glass cleaners on the market and to learn about the best ways to clean car windows by yourself.

Why Should You Clean the Windshield and Windows?

Imagine this, it’s early in the morning, and you are walking into the garage to get in your beloved vehicle. There, you see the windows covered in all sorts of debris, dirt, and grime. That’s not very appealing, is it? It’s better to keep your car windows clean than to let them get to this point. 

On top of making your car look good, cleaning your windows and windshield has a handful of other benefits. Let’s dive into some of the most significant ones.

Clean Windows Improve Safety

Having a clean windshield and windows helps with visibility. This will make it easier for you to spot potential hazards from far away and avoid them. In contrast, having dirty windows will hinder your visibility, putting you, as well as the others on the road, in danger. In fact, research shows that around 39,000 accidents occur annually due to poor visibility.

It Improves the Car’s Appearance & Resale Value

Our cars are an expression of who we are, so we should always try to keep them as clean as possible. Having dirty car glass will give your vehicle an overall unappealing appearance, and nobody likes to present themselves that way. Additionally, having clean windows has a positive impact on your car’s resale value. So not only is it good for aesthetics, but it is also a wise financial decision to upkeep your car’s appearance.  

Clean Glass Reduces Damage From Dirt

When mixed with rainwater, dirt can scratch and stain your car windows and windshield. It is important to regularly wash away this debris to ensure the longevity of your vehicle’s windows. Frequently wiping off dirt from windows without applying a proper cleaning liquid will only make matters worse, as it will scratch the glass even more. In the same way, letting dirt sit on the windows for months on end will eventually turn the dirt particles opaque, hampering visibility. Ideally, you should clean your car windows every few weeks, using a good car glass cleaner and proper techniques.

Now that you know the importance of having clean glass on your vehicle let’s discuss which glass cleaners are the best on the market.

What Is The Best Car Glass Cleaner?

Car glass cleaners come in all shapes and sizes. We have compiled a list of the 12 best automotive glass cleaners based on price, performance, and customer reviews. 

1. Invisible Glass
2. Whoosh
3. Chemical Guys Signature Series Glass Cleaner
4. Meguiar’s Perfect Clarity Glass Cleaner
5. Invisible Glass Reach and Clean tool
6. Sonax Xtreme Glass Cleaner
7. Sprayway Glass Cleaner
8. TechCare Auto Glass Cleaner
9. 3M Glass Cleaner
10. 4Detailer Crystal Glass
11. Autoglym Glass Polish
12. Armor All Liquid Auto Glass Cleaner

Now, let’s take a look at each of these auto glass cleaners to see what they have to offer.

So, there you have it. Our choices for the top 12 best car glass cleaner products available on the market. However, having a great car window cleaning product is pointless if you don’t know how to use it properly. In the next section, we’ll tell you the best way to clean your car windows.

How to Properly Clean Car Windows

On the surface, cleaning car windows might seem simple enough. However, following the right process will go a long way in minimizing streaks and ensuring that the windows are fully cleaned. There are several steps in cleaning car windows, which include:

• Removing Water Spots
• Cleaning Window Ridges
• Cleaning Interior Windows
• Cleaning Exterior Windows
• Waxing & Buffing

Now, we will be discussing each of these steps in more detail, which will help you to better understand them.

1. Removing Water Spots

When car windows come into contact with mineral-rich water, it results in the formation of water spots. Not only do these unsightly marks make the windows dirty, but they obstruct visibility as well.

So, the first thing you should do when cleaning the windows is to get rid of water spots. To remove water spots, take a paper towel and let it saturate in a solution made of water and vinegar. Then, take the paper towel and let it sit on the area with water spots for a couple of minutes. After that, take the paper towel off and spray the area with your glass cleaner of choice. Wipe the area clean and repeat the steps until the water spots completely go away.

2. Cleaning Window Ridges

The next step in the window cleaning process is taking care of the window ridges. To do this, you have to roll the windows down halfway. Then, dampen a microfiber towel by spraying window cleaner on it, and proceed to wipe each window edge until it is clean of any dirt or debris. Repeat the process on all windows before rolling them back up.

3. Cleaning Exterior Windows

After cleaning the window ridges, the next step is cleaning the exterior of the windows and windshield. For this, we recommend you use two towels made from cotton or microfiber. You should use one as the wet towel and the other as the dry one.

Begin the process by spraying car glass cleaner directly onto the windows, wipe it off using a wet towel and apply moderate pressure. Then, wipe the area again, this time with a dry towel. This will fully dry the area and prevent the formation of streaks. Keep in mind to change the dry towel from time to time. Doing so will prevent the towel from absorbing too much water.

4. Cleaning Interior Windows

Now, it is time to clean the interior of the windows and the windshield. Once again, spray the glass cleaner of your choice onto the windows before wiping them with a wet towel. Then use the dry towel to get rid of streaks, similar to how you used it for exterior window cleaning. However, keep in mind not to overspray glass cleaner onto the dashboard! If you do so, wipe it off to avoid any damage.

5. Waxing & Buffing

Before starting the waxing process, take a look at each window from different angles to spot any streaks that you may have missed. If you find any, wipe the area with a dry towel until it is gone. Waxing and buffing the widows will preserve their shine for longer. Apply the wax to all exterior window surfaces with an applicator pad, and then simply buff it off using a clean microfiber towel.

Our Verdict

Category	Winner	Why We Chose It
Best Overall	Stoner’s Invisible Glass	This residue-free product is made with a clear dry formula that doesn’t leave any streaks or residue behind. It is a foam cleanser capable of removing mud, grime, bird droppings, and much more.
Most Bang For Buck	Chemical Guys Signature Series Glass Cleaner	This non-toxic and ammonia-free glass cleaner is one of the cheapest products on the market. It can be safely used on tinted windows and doesn’t leave behind any harsh smells.
Best Accessories	Invisible Glass Reach and Clean tool	The Invisible Glass Reach and Clean tool is the best accessory for cleaning hard-to-reach glass surfaces. It comes with reusable microfiber bonnets that trap dust, grease, and dirt with ease.

Cleaning car windows is a process that takes time and a lot of effort. If you don’t have the time to clean them yourself, you can always call a professional! At Big’s Mobile Detailing, we will happily take care of the window cleaning for you, along with any other car detailing work you need. Our window cleaning service is one of the best on the West Coast, and you can be sure that only professional-grade products will touch your vehicle’s windows.

If you ever need our auto detailing services, you can give us a call at 425-243-9155 or simply schedule online to book your appointment!

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