Cleaning glass can be quite the chore, and using the wrong materials or technique can leave windows streaky and unsightly. Here are the two best ways to clean windows with eco-friendly materials you likely already have in your home.

1. Soap and squeegee

Provided that the rubber end is in good condition and is free of mildew, a shower squeegee works just fine for this method. Otherwise, a squeegee is about $15 on Amazon or you can find one at your local hardware or grocery store.

Before using a squeegee, make sure the rubber blade on your squeegee is sharp. If it’s dull, try reversing the blade to extend the life of your squeegee. You may even want to buy varying sizes so any glass surface can be cleaned, no matter the size.

1. Add a small amount of dish soap to a bucket of cool water and work into a light lather.
2. Dip the sponge in the soapy water and wipe it across the glass in smooth, even rows.
3. Use the squeegee to remove the soapy water moving from top to bottom in fluid strokes. In between strokes, use a paper towel or lintless rag to remove water and dirt from the squeegee edge.

2. Newspaper and vinegar

Newsprint is incredibly absorbent and will leave windows streak-free. Newspapers are made of dense, non-abrasive fibers and, unlike paper towels, don’t release strands that can stick to your glass surface.

1. Combine equal parts white vinegar and water in a clean spray bottle.
2. Spray the mixture generously onto the glass surface.
3. Use the newspaper to wipe the vinegar and water in a circular motion until you’re left with clean, streak-free windows.

Vinegar is especially great for removing hard water stains on shower doors.

More glass cleaning tips

• Clean windows on a cloudy day. The lack of direct sunlight makes it easier to see spots and smudges.
• If you’re partial to store-bought glass cleaner, the vinegar and water mixtures can also be used with newspaper for crystal-clear results.

If you don’t have newspaper in the house, a chamois cloth or a clean T-shirt used as a rag will work.