Time Needed: 15-20 minutes, Difficulty: Beginner, Cost: ~$20
Over time, the inside of your car’s windshield can become smudged and cloudy from all of the gunk floating in the air inside your car. That bug you absent-mindedly smashed? Yeah, that’s there, and if you’re a smoker you’d be surprised at what you find on the glass.
The good news is that cleaning the inside of your car’s windshield is quick, cheap, and easy. You don’t need professional help to get streak-free glass, but you will need to follow a few simple steps to get good results. Let’s get after it as Car Autance’ editors show you the light. The sunlight, that is.
The Safety Brief
Window cleaning solution isn’t the worst thing in the world, but you’ll need to take care while working.
- Wear eye protection and avoid spraying the cleaner anywhere near your face.
- Work in a well-ventilated area. You don’t want to breathe in cleaning chemicals.
- Most window cleaners are safe for other materials in your vehicle, but be sure to read the directions to avoid damaging your dash or other vehicle components.
- After you’ve cleaned the window, do a test run after dark to be sure that you’ve cleaned all of the streaks away and that there is nothing obstructing the view ahead.
The Tools & Parts You Need
You got stuff, but do you have all the right stuff? Use this as your checklist.
The How-To
Let’s get after it.
1. Wipe The Inside Of The Windshield Down With A Microfiber Cloth
This will prepare the surface for the actual cleaning and will help remove dust and other debris that can cause streaking.
2. Use A Clean Cloth To Apply Rubbing Alcohol
Using a clean microfiber towel, apply a bit of rubbing alcohol to remove fingerprints, oils, and grease from the window.
3. Apply Glass Cleaner
On the other side of your cloth, spray a bit of cleaner. Wipe it onto the glass in a circular motion and be sure to wipe away any excess.
4. Completely Dry The Window
Any cleaner left on the window will leave a haze or streaking that can cause you major headaches after dark or in direct sunlight.
Your Questions, Our Answers on Inside Windshield
Car Autance’ editors answer all your burning questions!
Q: What About Coffee Filters?
A: You can certainly use coffee filters with glass cleaner to help prevent streaking, but there are so many different types of filters that it’s easiest just to use microfiber.
Q: Is it OK to put car wax on the windshield?
A: Some people choose to apply wax to help shine the windows in the same way that they do with the paint. Your mileage may vary, so it’s important to understand the pros and cons before waxing away.
Q: Can I Use Vinegar To Clean My Windows?
A: Vinegar can be a great cleaner, but you’ll need to dilute it in water for it to work properly. Mix vinegar one-to-one with water to get the proper dilution. Vinegar does not evaporate as quickly as alcohol and dedicated window cleaners, so you might need a little more elbow grease to clean properly.
Video Tutorial on Inside Windshield
We know some of you may not be text-based learners, so for those kinesthetics out there, we pulled from one of our trusted sources to help illustrate in full 1080p how to clean your car’s inside windshield. Check it out.
Best Places To Buy Tools and Parts to Clean An Inside Windshield?
We know you can find products to clean the inside of your windshield almost anywhere, and we know that there are hundreds— if not thousands—of products to choose from. To help you wade through all the noise, we’ve chosen a handful of our favorite products that are affordable, useful, and well-reviewed, such as Armor All’s Auto Glass Cleaner, Solid’s Microfiber Towels, and some Isopropyl Alcohol for good measure.
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