We’re on a mission to swap one cleaning product each month for more eco-friendly option – and we want you to join us.
We’re looking for the best glass cleaner this month, and our expert cleaning team have been putting products through their paces with mirrors and windows, and sharing their results.
How we score
We’re scoring our glass cleaners against 4 factors:
- How effectively does it clean?
- Do we like the smell?
- How sustainable is the packaging?
- How fast does it work?
Each factor is scored out of 5, then added up to give a total score out of 20.
The everyday brand: Windowlene Glass Spray
Chief Ops Officer Jo and I tested this one. We found we needed to wipe glass several wipes with a cloth to remove both the original smear, and the product smear. The smell is quite chemical, and why is the liquid blue? This seems like an un-necessary additive.
The bottle is single-use plastic, and we found very little information about eco-credentials.
Overall, this was not a favourite.
Cost per 100ml: £0.33
Overall Score: 14/20
The best value brand: Sainsbury’s Window and Glass Cleaner
Helper Olha found this spray cleaned effectively leaving no streaks. Olha’s clients liked the smell, although it is quite “chemical”. Again, the bottle is single-use plastic, and the liquid is blue. This product doesn’t make any eco-claims.
This spray scored well for effectiveness, but lost marks for packaging.
Cost per 100ml: £0.11
Overall score: 15/20
The high street option: Insette Windows and Glass (Savers own)
Operations Manager Rosie found she needed several wipes with a cloth to remove little finger marks from her glazed door when testing this glass cleaner.
This spray comes in an aerosol can which may be recyclable depending on where you live.
Cost per 100ml: £0.30
Overall score: 12/20
The multi-tasking option: Fairy Liquid
Recruitment Assistant Carolina swears by a little Fairy Liquid on a damp cloth for cleaning windows and glass. After rinsing, it leaves a fresh clean smell.
Fairy Liquid comes in 100% recycled plastic bottles, so scores well on packaging. However, the product itself contains ingredients which can harm aquatic life and so this is not a great choice if you’re looking for green credentials.
Cost per 100ml: £0.31
Overall score: 17/20
The cream cleaner: Bar Keepers Friend
Helper Diego found this glass cleaner option highly effective. As it’s a cream cleaner, you’ll need to take a little time rinsing and polishing, but the results are great and it’s easy to use.
Bar Keepers Friend is chlorine free and safe for septic tanks. The website includes some helpful information on sustainability.
The smell is quite chemical and the packaging is plastic, so this glass cleaner option drops marks in these areas.
Cost per 100ml: £1.00
Overall score: 16/20
The refillable option: Tesco Window & Glass Cleaning Spray
Operations Assistant Rumi is a big fan of this glass cleaner. Paired with a microfibre cloth, it removes grease and soap marks, and leaves a streak-free finish. It even works on shower screens where limescale isn’t present.
Tesco score well on packaging here because the bottle and spray can be reused up to ten times. The refill capsule is extra-concentrated and dissolves in water.
This product smells of vinegar but Rumi prefers this to a chemical smell.
Cost per 100ml: £0.11
Overall score: 19/20
The recyclable bottle: Jack’s Window Cleaner
This glass cleaner scored well with Joanne on speed and effectiveness. It cleaned quickly with just one wipe and didn’t leave streaks.
Points were lost for a chemical smell and while the bottle is 100% recyclable, it can’t be reused.
Cost per 100ml: £0.20
Overall score: 16/20
The zero-waste option: Miniml Eco White Vinegar
Miniml white vinegar is vegan and free of sulphates and parabens.
The products are available in either a glass or plastic bottle. Choose plastic and you can opt to refill using their pouch (cost per 100ml £0.17), or return the bottle to be washed and refilled.
Helper Fabjola tested the unscented white vinegar on glass. Fabjola found it very effective when used with a microfibre glass and window cloth. We tested the unscented version, but it is also available with a wild rhubarb or lemon fragrance.
Cost per 100ml: £0.33
Overall score: 19/20
Best option for scent: Ecover Window Cleaner
Helper Irina loved the green tea and grapefruit fragrance in this Ecover glass cleaner. The ingredients with great green credentials; vegetarian, cruelty-free, sustainable palm oil and suitable for septic tanks.
This is one of the more expensive products we tested, but it scores well on effectiveness.
The bottle is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic and the trigger from 30% recycled plastic, and while it isn’t refillable, it can be recycled in most areas.
Cost per 100ml: £0.66
Overall score: 17/20
The homemade option: Nancy Birtwhistle’s Dual Method
Helper Nasser and I tested this method which starts with de-greasing and cleaning the window with a “not too soapy” solution of washing up liquid (Nancy uses an eco-friendly brand).
Follow this up with a polish using white vinegar in a spray bottle and a lint-free cloth to shine.
Nasser remembers using white vinegar as a child and this is still his preferred go-to, using newspaper to bring out the shine. The smell can be a bit of a turnoff but it soon dissipates. And for the low cost and convenience, it’s a small price to pay.
Cost per 100ml: £0.14
Overall Score: 19/20
Our verdict
When it comes to finding the best glass cleaner, choosing an eco-friendly option doesn’t mean paying more, or sacrificing cleaning power. In fact, the simplest, cheapest options are often the most effective.
Will you join us and make #JustOneSwap this month?
