- Updated Sep 08, 2018
- Writen by Edward Miller
- Table of Contents
10 Best Windshield Cleaners of 2020
- Updated Sep 08, 2018
- Writen by Edward Miller
- Table of Contents
Vehicle safety encompasses many things but one that is easy to overlook is keeping the windshield clean enough. But, it is still one of he most important things you need to do for your safety and that of other road users.
And while most people will often use regular soap and water to clean their windshields this is not always very effective. For fast and effective windshield cleaning, you need to use the best windshield cleaners.
Windshield cleaners are specially formulated for cleaning glass and they will leave with a clear windshield to ensure excellent visibility. Also, they will also protect the glass from the elements to ensure a long service life.
However, like most other car accessories there are several types of windshield cleaners from various companies in the market.
And to help you choose something that is effective in cleaning your windshield below we review 10 top-rated windshield cleaners and explain the vital factors to watch out for when shopping for one.
You can also read other product reviews of windshield washer fluid, dashboard cleaner, catalytic converter cleaner, upholstery cleaner, wheel and tire cleaner.
Contents
- 10 Best Windshield Cleaners - Reviews
- 1. Invisible Glass 91164 – Best Overall
- 2. Rain-X 800002243 – Best Water-Repellent Windshield Cleaner
- 3. 303 Products 230371 – Instant Windshield Cleaner you Can Trust
- 4. Glass Plus 1920089331 – Best Value for Money
- 5. Meguiar's G8224 – Effective and High Gloss Cleaning Solution
- 6. 3M 08888 – Great Cleaner for All Glass Surfaces
- 7. Rain-X 5080217 – Ideal Windshield Cleaner for use On-the-Go
- 8. Mothers 06624 – Looks Nice and Cleans Well
- 9. Stoner 92164 – Inexpensive but Still Effective
- 10. Chemical Guys CLD-202 – Perfect Choice When you Have A Lot of Cleaning to do
- How to Buy the Best Windshield Cleaners
- How to Clean Your Windshield
- Conclusion
10 Best Windshield Cleaners - Reviews
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Invisible Glass 91164 (Best Overall) | ||
 | 2. Rain-X 800002243 (Best Water-Repellent Windshield Cleaner) | ||
 | 3. 303 Products 230371 (Instant Windshield Cleaner you Can Trust) | ||
 | 4. Glass Plus 1920089331 (Best Value for Money) | ||
 | 5. Meguiar's G8224 (Effective and High Gloss Cleaning Solution) | ||
 | 6. 3M 08888 (Great Cleaner for All Glass Surfaces) | ||
 | 7. Rain-X 5080217 (Ideal Windshield Cleaner for use On-the-Go) | ||
 | 8. Mothers 06624 (Looks Nice and Cleans Well) | ||
 | 9. Stoner 92164 (Inexpensive but Still Effective) | ||
 | 10. Chemical Guys CLD-202 (Perfect Choice When you Have A Lot of Cleaning to do) |
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. Invisible Glass 91164 – Best Overall
Invisible Glass is a reputed brand when it comes to quality glass cleaning. If you are looking for a premium automotive glass cleaner, then this is a perfect choice.
This top-rated windshield cleaner is perfect for both tinted and non-tinted windows and it has been formulated to be more Eco-friendly as it does not contain any ammonia.
Also the formulation does not contain soaps, dyes, additives and scents. And it is effective in removing bird droppings, salt spray, smoke haze, bug splats, plasticizer film and road grime from mirrors, windows and windshields.
It is also formulated to be easy and convenient to use thanks to a non drip formula and it will not make any mess or leave any streaks on your windows and is ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.
This is also one of the cheapest options on our list which means you not only get a high-quality product but also without spending much. And although the nozzle seems to dispense a little slowly this will hardly be a concern for most users.
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2. Rain-X 800002243 – Best Water-Repellent Windshield Cleaner
Meet this glass cleaner if you want a solution to repel snow and rain. This product is a right addition to your cleaner collection as it has been formulated to repel water for excellent visibility in any weather condition
This cleaner follows hydrophobic water beading technology allowing the water to roll away while you drive. Given this feature, it becomes easy driving in wet weather.
Also, it removes discoloration and haze by restoring headlights and clear plastic. And it is also straightforward to apply to a cleaning cloth and then use it to wipe the windshield or headlights.
Although 7 fluid ounces is quite little when compared to what other options in our automotive glass cleaner reviews, its formulation ensures that a little goes a long way and so you will still use it for several applications.
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3. 303 Products 230371 – Instant Windshield Cleaner you Can Trust
While they might not come as a liquid like others on our list these windshield tablets are still highly effective and can make up to an impressive 25 gallons of cleaning agent.
These tables are super concentrated offering 3 times better cleaning power as compared to an ordinary windshield cleaners. And they will remove dirt, grime, bugs and much more to leave your car with a crystal clean windshields.
Plus, they are pretty easy to use as all you need to do is add 1 tablet to 1 gallon of water. When the mixture is dissolved completely, you can use it to clean the surface as desired.
Furthermore, it is a non-toxic solution and made with biodegradable formula which is absolutely safe to use for paint and rubber as well.
While this windshield cleaner might not work very well in overly cold areas it should still clean the glass enough to maintain good visibility and for any other weather it will be excellent
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4. Glass Plus 1920089331 – Best Value for Money
Glass Plus makes this cleaning agent to give users something that is not only effective on cleaning windshields but is also a multipurpose product that can also clean computer screens, granite, stainless steel plexiglass and fibreglass.
This glass cleans and given the window a nice shine and without ever leaving any streaks. And all you need to do is spray the solution, wipe off and enjoy a nice shine.
Plus, it is good to remove fingerprints and smudges on every surface. As it is ammonia or bleach free, you can use it without worrying about your safety and the environment.
The smell is also quite nice and so you can be sure that it will not leave any unpleasant scents on your car. And although the spray bottle quality is a little wanting it should still work well enough and last until you finish the product.
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5. Meguiar's G8224 – Effective and High Gloss Cleaning Solution
Meguiar’s G8224 is one of the best car window cleaners out there not only because it is from a reputable company but also thanks to a unique formulation. And this high gloss formula not only cleans windshields but will also leave tires looking nice and shiny.
It is also made of highly water resistant polymers and anti-ozonant technology. It is capable of dealing with the dirtiest glass and it spreads and wipes off quickly.
Moreover, you can expect streak free glass and also it is safe for tinted windows as well. And using it will take care of premature aging of the glass.
Furthermore, it makes driving safer due to the anti-hazing formula which clears the mirror.
When using this product sometimes it can dry with a few water spots but they are hardly noticeable and overall you will have a streak-free finish.
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6. 3M 08888 – Great Cleaner for All Glass Surfaces
If you want a windshield cleaner that can also be useful for cleaning other surfaces, this one by 3M is perfect as it will clean almost any glass surface
It is perfect for all types of glass surfaces including mirrors, windows, side glass, windshields, automotive vinyl, chrome, metal, and plastic and it will also leave them with a nice gloss and streak-free.
The special formulation loosens the dirt and stubborn grime making it easy for you to wipe it off to ensure cleaning your windshield is quick and easy. And it is also effective in restoring aging glass surfaces
Also, it works well on painted surfaces, chrome, plastic and metal so you need not worry about using it on any of these surfaces.
While this windshield cleaner has quite a strong odor that might be super annoying for some users, you should not have any issues if you use it outdoors
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7. Rain-X 5080217 – Ideal Windshield Cleaner for use On-the-Go
Rain-X hardly ever disappoints when it comes to windshield cleaner and so even before you use this particular one you can be confident it will work well for you..
This glass cleaner promise to remove grime, dirt and dust build up pretty effectively. Plus, you can also expect amazing results when using it on headlights and clear plastic.
It is also good for removing haze and discoloration so you will get ultimate driving visibility. And besides cleaning the glass it also leaves it streak-free and with a nice shine
With its wiper blade performance, it cleans the windshield so well to provide non-obstructive cleaning.
Using this windshield cleaner will require quite some elbow grease but the end results make it worth the effort.
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8. Mothers 06624 – Looks Nice and Cleans Well
Mothers Revision brings you this amazing glass surface cleaner that comes in a good looking and easy to hold bottle and cleans as well as it looks.
It has a potent formulation that will remove also kinds of dirt, grime, oily films and even fingerprints from your windshield and most other glass surfaces.
And you can also use it to clean chrome, plastic, tablets, smartphones, GPS screens, window tint, gauges and a variety of other displays.
Also, you are free to use it on appliances, monitors, countertops and TV etc. If you buy this powerful formula cleaner, it will leave behind streak free shine. And it is formulated with no ammonia and the trigger spray bottle makes it super easy to use.
When used on the interior glass surfaces this product can fog it up but you will hardly ever need to use it o such surfaces.
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9. Stoner 92164 – Inexpensive but Still Effective
Invisible Glass glass cleaner is the cheapest option among our windshield cleaner reviews and so you not only get a top product from a leading brand also do it at a bargain.
It is manufactured with residue free formula to ensure that there are no streaks or marks on the glass surface once you are done cleaning. And it is highly effective for removing dust, grime, grease, fingerprints, smoke haze, smudges, from windshields and other surfaces like chrome.
The clear dry formula does not contain an soaps or toxins which makes it safe for both users and environment. And it is both non-abrasive and non-foaming to make it even better for your windshield.
While the smell might not be the most pleasant it is also not the worst when compared to other out there and it should not be a big concern unless you will be using the product indoors.
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10. Chemical Guys CLD-202 – Perfect Choice When you Have A Lot of Cleaning to do
Chemical Guys makes this windshield cleaner with an ammonia-free and non-toxic formulation to ensure that it will be safe for you and the environment.
But, there is more to it than just being Eco-friendly as it has also been formulated to provide effective cleaning and work on various other glass surfaces besides windshields.
It deliver a streak-free finish and it makes removing debris, grime, dirt, and fingerprints fast and easy.
Moreover, it is safe to use for tinted glass, interior and exterior windows. Also, it is perfect for use motorcycle, boats and even motor homes.
While this might be the priciest item on our list, you also get 128 fluid ounces of cleaning product and hence it is worth every buck you pay. And given there is a lot of it on the container, it will be perfect when you have a lot of cleaning to do.
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How to Buy the Best Windshield Cleaners
Windshield cleaner do much more than just remove dirt and grime from your windows as they also ensure safer driving. But not all windshield cleaners on the market will do a good job for your glass. And so to ensure you pick the best ones you need to watch out for the following things.
1. Size
The size or quantity of the windshield cleaner is an important factor to consider to ensure you get the bets value for your money.
Given that this is a product that you will need to use quite often if you use your vehicle a lot you should choose something that has enough product to lat several uses.
Depending on the brand and price you can get windshield cleaners in bottles that are small as 5 fluid ounces or as large as 100 or more fluid ounces.
But besides choosing something that comes in a good size you should also make sure that it is still reasonably priced fro good value for cash.
2. Multi-surface
Besides cleaning your windshield, a good windshield cleaner is one that can also be used to clean different surfaces as it will be very handy to have around.
Those that are formulated to clean fibreglass, plexiglass, mirror, stainless steel, computer screens, tablets, smartphones and other glass surfaces are often the best buys.
Also, it should be ideal for use on both interior and exterior surfaces.
3. Eco-friendly
You cannot overlook the impact that the product you use will have on the environment because it can even land you in trouble in some jurisdictions.
It is important to make sure that the windshield cleaner you buy does not contain any harsh or harmful chemicals or ingredients that can harm animals or plan life.
A good idea is to avoid product with things like ammonia and bleach as they as they are bad for both the environment and the user.
4. Ease of use
The windshield cleaner must be pretty easy to use. And this implies that the product should neither be too sticky nor too runny as both can give you problems during application.
Also, and easy to use windshield cleaner is one that comes with a nice spray bottle that lets you adjust the nozzle to control the flow. And if it also comes with a free cleaning cloth it will even be better.
How to Clean Your Windshield
While a windshield cleaner can give you a clean and streak free windshield, you still need to know how to use it properly for the bets results. But, cleaning your windshield is the easiest part. And here is how to clean both the outside and inside parts.
Outside
- Wipe the outside section of the windshield with a soft cloth to get rid on any larger debris and dirt.
- Spray the cleaner on the windshield and make sure you cover it adequately.
- Now take a microfiber towel and wipe off the surface vertically moving up and down from one end to the other.
- Once this is done, it’s the time to begin horizontal wipe down. Start from the top and wipe back and forth. If you cannot cover the entire length in one swoop you can divide it into two sections.
- The last step is ti give the windshield final touches in case you missed some section and make sure you never use a circular motion as it will leave an unsightly look.
Inside
- Start by wiping the surface with a clean cloth to get rid of any loose debris and dirt.
- Spray the cleaner on the windshield generously and try to cover as much of it as possible.
- Now take a clean microfiber cloth and use it to wipe of the cleaning agent. But, if you think it is very dirty you can use a scrub pad instead.
- Once you are done with this, take a dry microfiber towel to dry the whole windshield and make sure there is no residue left behind.
Conclusion
If you want your car glass to look clean and shiny for better visibility to ensure safer driving, you need to invest on the best windshield cleaner.
But with this piece to guide you, finding that perfect cleaner for your vehicle's windshield should now be quick and super easy. And all you need to do is consider factors like size, ease of use and environment-friendliness.
Plus, we also provide some in-depth reviews of 10 of the best options currently on the market. Hence, all you need to do now is pick one that suits your budget from our reviews above.
