How To Clean Inside Car Windows | Family Handyman

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How to Clean Inside Car Windows

Total Time:An hour or lessComplexity:BeginnerCost:Less than $20

By Veronica Graham

Family Handyman's Editorial Process

Updated on Apr. 04, 2025

Follow these steps to clean glass on the inside and get rid of fingerprints, smudges and the dust generated by your dashboard and upholstery.

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Time

An hour or less

Complexity

Beginner

Cost

Less than $20

Introduction

Learn how to clean inside car windows with these simple step-by-step instructions.

You don’t have to drive very far down the highway to notice how dirty your windshield gets. Sometimes it feels like you have to wash your car windows every time you stop to get rid of a thin layer of dirt and bugs. You’ve probably noticed that the inside of your car’s windshield can get pretty filthy, too, especially if your windshield fogs up regularly. Cleaning your car windows requires special care and attention, particularly if you have tinted windows. Fortunately, a good cleaning is pretty simple to achieve in just a few steps. Read on for tips on how to clean your car windows safely and what to avoid so that you don’t cause any damage to the glass.

While at it, discover how to tape up a broken car window.

How Do Car Windows Get Dirty on the Inside?

Condensation and dust inside your car can create a cloudy film that builds up on the inside of your windows. Other factors can make the inside of your windows dirty too, including smoke, fingerprints and even something called off-gassing, i.e., the breakdown of plastic and vinyl components inside the car (it’s what gives a vehicle that new car smell.)

It’s important to keep the inside of your windows clean because it helps them defrost faster, and it’s just safer. A thick, filmy layer on the inside of your window can cause problems with glare, making it harder to see the road. Fortunately, it’s easy to clean the inside of your windows. Just follow these easy steps.

Tools Required

• Microfiber cloths
• Reaching tool with a curved head (optional)

Materials Required

• Interior glass cleaner

Project step-by-step (4)

Step 1

Wipe the Windows with a Dry Cleaning Cloth

• Wipe the inside car windows with a dry, reversible microfiber cleaning cloth, with a thick cleaning side and a fine drying side, working from top to bottom in an up-and-down motion. A microfiber cloth works best because it doesn’t leave lint or other fibers stuck to the glass the way paper towels or regular cotton towels can.

This prep step removes that nearly invisible filmy layer of dirt and dust particles that stem from the plastic, vinyl and rubber in your car’s interior.

Step 2

Spray Window Cleaner on the Glass

• Spray the car window cleaning solution directly onto another microfiber cloth.

Just a few spritzes at a time should do the trick. Avoid spraying the cleaner directly onto the glass. Too much cleaner can make the glass hazy.

There are a number of glass cleaning products that will work, but we recommend one that’s specific for interior use in a car, such as Meguiar’s Perfect Glass. This will help you avoid exposure to chemicals like ammonia while inside your car.  Or, make your own glass cleaner with equal parts distilled water and isopropyl alcohol, plus a capful of white vinegar.

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Complete DIY projects like a pro! Sign up for our newsletter! Do It Right, Do It Yourself! Step 3

Wipe on the Glass Cleaner

• Rub the cleaner-dampened microfiber cloth in a circular motion, again working from top to bottom.
• The lower corners of the windshields can be tricky and nearly impossible to reach, so a reaching tool with a curved head, such as the Xindell extendable windshield reaching/cleaning tool with a 14-1/2-in. reach, works well. This tool is optional.

Discover what these little black dots on your car’s windshield are designed for.

Step 4

Dry the Glass

• Wipe the glass dry with the other side of your dry microfiber cloth, or a fresh one, for a streak-free finish.
• Repeat steps 2 through 4 until sparkling.

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Also, learn how to tint car windows.

FAQ

Is it safe to use paper towels to clean car windows?

You should not clean your car windows using paper towels because their rough texture could scratch the glass. Use microfiber towels instead.

Do tinted windows require special cleaners?

Tinted windows require special care because harsh chemicals could damage the film. Avoid ammonia or alcohol-based cleaners. Instead, use mild soap and water and wipe with a microfiber cloth.