6 Things You Should Never Clean with Window Cleaner

If you’re one of the many people who grew up thinking that window cleaner — the spray solution in the bottle — is a cure-all for every type of mess, I need to break some bad news. Window cleaner can cause more damage to whatever you’re trying to clean if it’s not windows or glass. And don’t worry — I used it for everything, too, until I spoke to the experts who explained why it’s not a great idea.

Essentially, pre-bottled window cleaner has some harsh cleaning agents in it (like ammonia) that will wreak havoc on other parts of your home. If you use it on materials other than windows or glass, it can degrade or damage the material. Here’s what not to use window cleaner on.

Just because you have rubber seals on your windows doesn’t mean they should get the window cleaner treatment. The chemicals in the cleaner can make the rubber brittle and more likely to crack, says Jade Piper, operations manager for Milwaukee-based BetterCleans, adding that the “cracks mean they won’t keep out the chilly air or rain like they should” and “it can make your home less energy-efficient and could even lead to water damage.” Piper suggests using a mixture of mild dish soap and warm water and wiping them down using a soft cloth. Then rinse them, dry them, and apply rubber conditioner.

You may think window cleaner will give these a nice shine, but Piper says it can lead to tarnishing and corrosion. And once those fixtures or hardware are damaged, it shortens their lives.

I’m particularly guilty of this one. Hand me a bottle of window cleaner, and I’ll try to get out every carpet stain in my house. But it’s actually doing the opposite — potentially adding stains and discoloration. “On top of that, the ammonia can weaken the fibers, making them more prone to wear and tear,” Piper says. “Of course, it will eventually show faded colors and thinning of the material.”

Piper says window cleaner can strip away any protective finish on wood, “leaving the wood vulnerable to damage like drying out, discoloration, or even cracking,” she says. “It also depletes the natural oils.” Instead, use a cleaner specific for wood, and wipe along the grain to avoid any damage. A wood polish afterward will bring out its natural shine. Keep in mind this includes anything wooden in your home, like furniture, window frames, molding, and butcher block counters.

Window cleaner’s acidity is a real problem on these surfaces. “The acidic stuff can leave dull spots and mess up the polished finish, which is a huge pain,” Piper says. “The damage could be permanent, meaning you might have to call in the professionals to fix it. Not to mention, those chemicals can weaken the sealant on the stone, making it more prone to staining.” Instead, try a pH-neutral cleaner specifically for natural stones.

It may seem like a no-brainer to use window cleaner on something that’s basically a tiny window, but it can swiftly destroy your electronic screens, including televisions. “Not only can they scratch the screen and strip the anti-glare coating, but they can also cause the screen to appear yellow or foggy,” says Ronnie Kendrick, founder of Colorado-based CompanyClean. Instead, use a lens and screen wipes, or just buff the screen with a microfiber cloth to clean a TV screen.