Can You Use Windex on Car Windows? Understanding the Risks

When your car’s windows or windshields start to get dirty, cleaning them up quickly is vital. However, proper auto glass cleaning products aren’t always readily available, and having someone else do the cleaning can be expensive or just a bit of a task to schedule. If you find yourself in such a situation, it can be tempting to use Windex.

Windex is great for the glass found in homes, but does that sentiment still ring true for auto glass? Is Windex good for car windows? Can I use Windex on my windshield? This blog will tackle those questions and provide key details about how Windex affects auto glass.

Is Windex Good for Car Windows

Windex contains ammonia, a chemical compound that can harm your car’s windows. Its harmful effects on auto glass include:

• Leaving Streaks: Using ammonia-based cleaners on your windows could leave streaks on them. Those streaks can cause glare while driving, especially at night, impairing your vision and potentially endangering your safety on the road.
• Ruins Tinted Windows: The cleaner’s ammonia may cause tinted windows to peel, making your entire vehicle more susceptible to the outdoor climate and distracting you while driving.
• Damages Leather Seats: Leather can be severely damaged if ammonia gets on it. The chemical dries out the natural oils in the material and cracks it.

If ammonia has already damaged your vehicle, addressing these issues involves using the proper cleaning techniques. Employ ammonia-free cleaners, microfiber towels, and water to remove any streaks. To peel the window tint, scrape off the damaged film and apply a new tint to the window. You can handle this task yourself or enlist the services of a professional.

If you feel a window repair is necessary due to these issues, Kryger Glass is the best glass window repair company in Kansas City, Omaha, etc. We do sideview and rearview mirror repairs and replacements well!

Can I Use Windex on My Windshield

The same issues exist when applying ammonia-based cleaners to windows as to a car windshield. Streaks can and will form on your windshield, and your tints may start peeling. Of course, these problems have to be fixed or repaired. Kryger Glass is the perfect choice if you need a windshield repair, as our windshield repairs are top-of-the-line!

Use ammonia-free cleaners explicitly designed for car windows and windshields to clean your windshield effectively. Microfiber towels and water also serve as excellent tools for this purpose. White vinegar can be a highly effective and cost-efficient cleaning solution for stubborn dirt or oil that persists.

Can You Use Windex as Windshield Washer Fluid?

Outside of the problems above with putting Windex on your windshield, using it as washer fluid risks damaging the washer system itself. Ammonia dries out several materials, including the hoses connecting the washer fluid tank and spray nozzles. The chemical can compromise the entire system, which is very expensive.

Additionally, ammonia getting onto external parts of a vehicle can cause issues. It can damage the rubber of wiper blades, the paint of a car, and even the spray nozzle from which the washer fluid comes out. Windex can be seriously lethal to an automobile if used as windshield washer fluid. Always use proper washer fluid to avoid these pricey and stressful issues!

Kryger Glass specializes in providing top-tier auto glass repair and replacement services. Contact us today for a quote for any auto or commercial glass needs. We are committed to delivering precise and professional results on every project.