You’re probably reading this article because you’re fed up with annoying streaks, marks and blemishes on your car windscreen. It can be super frustrating to spend hours cleaning your car only to find you’ve left marks over all of your interior or exterior windows! We also recommend cleaning your windscreen as preparation for a roadtrip.
We’ll cover the following
- How to clean your windscreen without leaving streaks
- Picking the perfect cleaning products to achieve a crystal clear finish
- What causes those little marks on your windscreen
- How to maintain crystal clear glass on your car
Tools you’ll need
- A quality automotive glass cleaner (without Ammonia)
- 2-3 brand new microfibre towels
- Some tissues/paper towel
Why you shouldn’t use Windex or Glass Cleaner with Ammonia on your windows
Glass cleaners like Windex can sometimes contain the cleaning chemical Ammonia. This chemical is great for cleaning your glass, but it is also a very strong chemical that can strip your window tint, damage your leather or dull your trims in your car.
Windex does have a product that is Ammonia free but you’ll have to do your research before buying.
Why is Ammonia used in Glass Cleaner
Ammonia is commonly used in glass cleaner and other household products as it is a degrease, has alkaline properties, works by removing odours and is very cost effective. This is why you’ll find it in a range of household cleaning products.
Again, do not use it on your car windows or interior!
Moreover, Ammonia can be harmful and the fumes can be quite strong. We recommend if you must use Ammonia, wear a mask and eye protection.
Clean the outside of your vehicle first
We always recommend starting with the outside of your car before moving to the inside. Cleaning the outside will allow you to remove dirt, dust and debris which might make their way inside your car when you’re trying to clean the interior.
Once the outside of your vehicle has been cleaned. You can then move into the interior of your car and follow the steps below.
Step 1: Start by applying a light coating of glass cleaner
Apply a light coating of glass cleaner to your interior windscreen. Do not over wet the glass or you’ll struggle with an over wet microfibre cloth.
Step 2: Use a clean microfibre towel to wipe your windscreen
Grab your clean microfibre towel and let the towel pick up the glass cleaner. Apply a light amount of pressure and clean in a sideways pattern making sure you’re getting into the corners of the windscreen.
Focus on the bottom part of the windscreen and make sure you’ve wiped down the whole glass.
Step 3: Get in the cracks
Drop your windscreen down a bit so you can clean the top part of the glass (not an issue on pillar-less cars like the Audi A7).
Once the whole windscreen has been cleaned. You can roll the window back up again.
Step 4: Repeat step 1 to step 3
You’ll want to repeat the process again using the same rag that you used the first time. However, this time you don’t need to drop your window down.
Step 5: The finishing touches
Once the window is almost dry grab your other clean microfibre towel and clean the window in a horizontal pattern moving up the windscreen and lastly vertically. Use the tissue to wipe up any wet mess on your dash or door card and you’re done!
This final step should guarantee you a perfectly clear window.
Step 6: Optional anti-fog coating
Spray an anti-glare coating on your windscreen and buff off. This will ensure your windows don’t fog up as easily in the winter months.
We always suggest keeping a clean microfibre towel in your car just in-case you need to clean your windscreen in a hurry.
Inspect your windscreen wiper blades
While you’re cleaning your car, it is probably a great opportunity to inspect your wiper blades. Wiper blades don’t last forever and they’ll breakdown if you don’t look after them. You can read more about how long wiper blades last if you want to know more.. If your wiper blades are cracked, torn or showing signs of damage, we recommend replacement. You can find replacement high performance wiper blades from our store. We supply wiper blades for a massive range of vehicle brands.
Bonus Tip: How To Clean Car Interior Navigation Displays & Digital Clusters
Most newer cars will have one or many digital displays in the cabin which can get quite dirty with fingerprints and oil marks. We recommend cleaning these regularly to prevent dirt build-up and scratching.
Start by spraying some LCD cleaner to the displays in the car. Careful to not get the outer area wet or behind any switches or electronics.
Then use a clean microfibre cloth to wipe the excess cleaner, dirt and grime from your screens.
Repeat the process if your screens still look a little dirty.
We also recommend consulting the original manufacturer of your vehicle to confirm what can be used on your dash, displays or digital cluster prior to cleaning.
