HOMEMADE WINDOW CLEANER

Glass-and-window cleaner
About 7 pints cold water (108 ounces)

1/2 cup soapy ammonia

1 pint rubbing alcohol
Fill a 1- or 2-gallon bucket with the water. Carefully add the ammonia and rubbing alcohol.
Mix well and pour into spray bottles.
To distinguish this clear liquid from other cleaners, tint it with a drop or two of blue food coloring.

Window-cleaning tips. The frequency of your window-cleaning depends on where you live, but the inside surface of the panes usually needs cleaning twice a year. Wash windows on a cloudy day or when the windows are in shade because direct sunlight will cause streaking. If you live in a home with many windows, divide the job into segments rather than attempting to do them all in one day. You'll need two buckets, a sponge, a good-quality rubber squeegee, a clean, lint-free cloth or paper towels, a chamois cloth, and cleaner, either the one above or a store-bought product.