How to Clean the Inside of Your Car Windshield

Are you struggling to see the road? If grease and grime are obstructing your view, it’s time for a windshield clean that ensures crystal clear vision for the drive ahead.

Cleaning the inside of your windshield every few weeks to remove dirt, smudges, and film can give you a clearer view of the road — and lessen the chance of getting into a car accident. It also helps to defrost glass much more efficiently by clearing off condensation, or fog, that sticks more easily to a dirty windshield surface.

Read on to find out how to clean the inside of a car windshield:

Why your windshield picks up so much dirt
How to clean inside car windshields
Tips for successful windshield cleaning
Ensure your sparkling windshield lasts

Why Your Windshield Picks Up So Much Dirt

There are several reasons that your car windshield gets dirty, including fingerprints, doggie noses, smog and smoke, dirt and dust from the road, sea salt, and other local environmental contaminants.

But one of the primary reasons it picks up so much dirt is called off-gassing. This term refers to the release of chemicals that become trapped in a car during the manufacturing process.

That new car smell people talk about comes from various plastic and vinyl interior components that eventually break down and get trapped within the car. These chemicals tend to leave an oily residue on the windshield, which in most cases is perfectly angled to catch a great deal of it.

Using oily cleaners on the dashboard can worsen this issue, evaporating into a film that further coats car glass, especially in hot, humid weather.

How to Clean Inside Car Windshields

Washing the inside of your car windshield is crucial to preserve your unobstructed view of the road.

Materials needed:

Lint-free microfiber rags or spray bottle
Glass cleaner
Distilled white vinegar
Rubbing alcohol

Instructions for cleaning the inside of your windshield:

Mix solution in a spray bottle of ONE of the following popular and effective options:
- 50% rubbing alcohol, 50% water, and a capful of white vinegar
- 70% water, 15% glass cleaner, and 15% alcohol

Gather your materials then hop in your passenger seat for easier access to windshield glass.
Use a clean, dry microfiber towel to wipe down the glass first.
Next, use a different cloth and rubbing alcohol to degrease the glass. If you live near the coast, you can also clean the glass with vinegar to dissolve sea salt.
Using a different side of the rag or a clean one, spray glass cleaner onto the rag (not the windshield) and clean the glass in circular motions. Use an auto-specific glass cleaner, avoiding ammonia-based cleaners, which can damage vinyl, leather, and tint.
Swap out towels as soon as they get dirty.
Use up-and-down wiping motions to finish off the glass, making sure windows are completely dry for a streak-free shine.

Tips for Successful Windshield Cleaning

It’s also important to take the following precautions when giving your windshield a deep clean:

You should clean your car windshield last, after washing the exterior of your car and wiping down its
Wiping down windows in the shade or when temperatures are cooler will prevent the rapid evaporation of window cleaner.
Don’t use rags you’ve used for other cleaning tasks on your windshield, even if you’ve washed them. You could end up with a greasy, oily windshield from wax or other detailing compounds.

Ensure Your Sparkling Windshield Lasts

Now that your windshield is clean, you probably want to keep it that way! You can help make this happen by keeping your car cooler and giving gases an escape route.

Whenever possible, park your car in shaded or sheltered locations to keep it cooler, such as your home’s garage. You can also prevent the buildup of contaminants by simply cracking your car windows to let fresh air in and the off-gassing particles out (though this won’t be possible on rainy days).

Thanking You

How to Clean the Inside of Your Car Windshield