Cleaning windows, television screens, and mirrors around the house seems like a time-consuming chore. To make the job a little easier, a top-quality glass cleaner can remove greasy fingerprints, smudges, and dirt, leaving behind a clear, streak-free finish. Some products are designed to tackle everyday household surfaces like mirrors and windows, while others are specially formulated for specific purposes, such as cleaning auto glass or wiping down tech screens. “Cleaning glass surfaces regularly is about more than making them look good,“ says Katie Berry, a member of The Spruce’s Cleaning Review Board and internationally recognized home cleaning expert. “Since glass expands and contracts in response to surrounding temperatures, grime that’s left on the surface can work its way deeper into the glass and create a permanent haze.”
Taking Berry’s advice into account, we researched a number of glass cleaners from a variety of brands, evaluating products based on their type, ingredients, scent, and overall performance.
After going through countless insights, we landed on a few noteworthy options, including one for your cooktop and another that works as a foam. Read on to find out our very best pick!
Best Overall: Invisible Glass Glass Cleaner Spray
What We Like
- Streak-free
- Affordably priced
- Sprays on finely and doesn’t drip
- Doesn’t leave any residue behind
What We Don’t Like
- Scent is a bit strong for some
- May require some buffing to fully remove streaks
True to its name, this cleaner leaves glass surfaces looking so flawless that it’ll look practically invisible. We think it’s pretty impressive that this powerful foaming formula removes smudges, fingerprints, smoke haze, and more. It’s also highly effective on tough stains like mud, bird droppings, and tape residue. Because it doesn’t contain any ammonia, it’s safe to use on tinted windows, auto glass, boats, and stainless steel appliances.
Invisible comes in a 32 ounce spray bottle island and is reasonably priced. It goes on as a fine mist, so you don’t have to worry about it dripping onto your window sill or floor. Plus, it doesn’t contain any soaps, scents, or dyes that leave streaky residue behind. Keep in mind that Invisible is formulated with synthetic chemicals, however, and some people find the smell to be a bit strong and off-putting.
Still, it works like magic, leaving behind clean mirrors and spotless windows. Our tip? To fully remove streaks, whip out a microfiber cloth and do a little buffing—we think you’ll be pleased with the results.
Best Budget: Windex Original Glass Cleaner
What We Like
- Popular, easy-to-find brand
- Effectively cleans glass
- Leaves behind a clear, streak-free shine
What We Don’t Like
- Strong scent
- Contains synthetic chemicals
Known as a trusted brand, for good reason, Windex Glass Cleaner is a highly effective formula and comes with an affordable price tag. It can be used on a variety of household surfaces, including glass, windows, and mirrors. We love that it comes in an easy-to-use, 23-ounce spray bottle, which is made from 100 percent recycled plastic. This fast-acting formula starts working on fingerprints and smudges, even before you wipe. Best of all, it leaves behind a streak-free shine.
While Windex is a powerful and economical option, know that it does contain ammonia and other chemicals, which means it has a pretty strong scent from the synthetic fragrances and dyes. As is the case with most glass cleaners, we suggest investing in a trusty microfiber cloth versus a paper towel. The latter has a tendency to leave streaks and lint behind.
Best Smelling Koala Eco Peppermint Essential Oil Glass Cleaner
What We Like
- Plant-based formula
- Natural insect repellent
- Doesn’t leave streaks
- Eco-friendly packaging
What We Don’t Like
- Pricier than other options
Made with peppermint essential oil, this glass cleaner comes straight out of Australia and is one of our favorites on the market. But it’s not just the smell that has won us over. This plant-based, eco-friendly formula really works! It effectively cleans windows and other glass surfaces, leaving them streak-free and smelling delightfully clean.
Because peppermint has antimicrobial properties, you can eliminate bacteria and deodorize your home without toxic chemicals. It also works as a natural insect repellent, which is great if you live in a muggy environment where bugs are a problem.
While we recognize that Koala Eco is slightly more expensive compared to other brands, we think the pleasant smell is definitely worth the cost. The invigorating scent alone makes you want to clean almost everything! Plus, we can’t deny we also love that the product comes from a family-run business.
Best for Mirrors: Hope’s Perfect Glass Cleaning Spray
What We Like
- Cleans with less strokes
- Highly effective on mirrors
- Safe for use on electronic screens
- Includes a microfiber cloth
What We Don’t Like
- Not as effective when used with paper towels
- Slightly pricier than other options
Mirror, mirror, on the wall. Which cleaner out wins them all? Easy. Hope’s Perfect Glass Cleaner outshines the competition when it comes to cleaning mirrors. It’s highly effective at removing toothpaste splatter, fingerprints, and smudges.
Plus, the ammonia-free free formula is safe to use on a variety of other glass surfaces. Unlike other cleaners, it doesn’t leave behind any streaks or the haze you often see on mirrored surfaces.
Also, Hope’s requires fewer strokes to get the job done—just be sure to use a microfiber cloth. You can also use it on smartphones, tablets, televisions, and other electronics with a glass screen. Just be sure to spray it on a soft cloth rather than directly on your gadget. We noted that Hope’s glass cleaner is priced slightly higher than the competition, but we think the time and effort you’ll save justifies the extra cost.
Best for Cooktops: Weiman Glass Cook Top Cleaner and Polish Kit
What We Like
- Effectively cleans without scratching surfaces
- Removes burnt-on foods
- Includes a scraper and scrubbing pad
- Leaves a streak-free shine
What We Don’t Like
- Strong smell
- Pricey
Messy cooktop? This comprehensive cleaning kit from Weiman is a must-have for glass cooktops and stovetops. It includes a cooktop cream, a scraper, and scrubbing pad with an easy-to-grip plastic handle to tackle stuck-on food, grease, and grime. The non-abrasive cream won’t damage surfaces, and it utilizes micro-bead technology to maximize its cleaning power. The manufacturer recommends buffing it with a paper towel for a streak-free shine.
You should know that Weiman’s heavy-duty formula contains chemicals like polyethylene-polypropylene glycol and monosodium phosphate, so it’s not the best option if you prefer a natural product. With its chemical composition, it’s not surprising that this cleaner has a fairly strong smell. You may find it helpful to open a window or use your stovetop’s vent hood to eliminate fumes. And while this brand is significantly pricier than other options on our list, its triple cleaning action leaves cooktops spotless and sparkling clean.
Best for Shower Doors: Rejuvenate No Scrub Soap Scum Remover
What We Like
- Effective on soap scum
- No-scrub formula
- Can be used on multiple surfaces
- Ultra-clear, streak-free finish
What We Don’t Like
- Strong smell
- Easier to use with a removable shower head
For tackling soap scum and other buildup in your shower, this glass cleaner from Rejuvenate is our top choice. This award-winning cleaning product is non-abrasive, so you won’t have to worry about it scratching delicate surfaces. It will also appeal to consumers who prefer a non-toxic formula. Rejuvenate quickly dissolves hard water, rust, and other mineral residues, leaving glass looking shiny and streak-free.
We think this hardworking cleaner is also incredibly easy to use. All you need to do is spray it on your shower in an even layer, let it sit for three minutes, and wipe it off. (A removable shower head will make it easier to rinse off.)
Rejuvenate can also be used on ceramic tile, fiberglass, natural stone, plastic, chrome, and porcelain, allowing you to clean multiple bathroom surfaces in one swoop. And even though it’s advertised as unscented, we found the smell to be a bit overpowering when used in an enclosed shower.
Best Wipes: MiracleWipes for Glass Clean & Refresh
What We Like
- Effectively clean multiple surfaces
- Portable and convenient
- Ammonia-free
- Light, refreshing scent
- Won’t leave lint on the glass
What We Don’t Like
- Tend to leave streaks
- Microfiber towel may be needed to absorb excess liquid
MiracleWipes come in handy whenever you need a quick, hassle-free touchup. The ammonia-free formula is safe to use on mirrors, windows, auto glass, and a variety of other surfaces. MiracleWipes are pre-moistened for convenience, and they are lightly scented for a more refreshing clean. Expect these wipes to effectively remove fingerprints and other pesky smudges, while delivering a lint-free finish. Just know these wipes have a tendency to leave some streaks.
The resealable container allows the wipes to be easily dispensed, and you can simply toss them away when you’re finished. According to reports, the wipes release a generous amount of cleaning product. Depending on the task, you might need a microfiber towel to absorb the excess liquid. But the saturated wipes sure make it easier to remove stuck-on debris and other stubborn stains. We think these would be pretty useful in the car—the small container is perfect to take on the go.