You wipe your windows and they end up covered in streaks?
It's not your rag that's to blame, it's the water
Skyscraper cleaner Tommy Lynch , whose crew cleans the windows of the Empire State Building, has revealed a secret:
"We use fabric softener. Just 2 caps per 5 liters of water - and the glass shines for months"
Why does it work? Chemistry doctor Elena Voronina explains:
"The surfactants in the rinse aid create an antistatic layer that repels dust and raindrops."
But there are also exotic alternatives. In Norway, they use... beer to wash windows! Malt contains enzymes that break down organic contaminants.
“After this method, the windows smell like bread!” jokes farmer Olaf on TikTok.
And in Japan, a solution of rice starch (1 tablespoon per liter of water) is popular.
"It fills in micro-scratches, making the glass smooth," says Tokyo-based cleaner Yuki.
Shocking experiment
Blogger Max from YouTube tested 5 methods:
1. Water + newspaper - stains.
2. Vinegar has a strong smell.
3. Rinse aid - perfect shine.
4. Beer - weak effect.
5. Rice starch - long lasting, but difficult to wash off.
Caution! Only distilled water is suitable for windows with energy-saving coating (Low-E). Chemist Anton Voronov warns:
"Acids and alkalis destroy the thin layer of metal oxide. Repairs will cost 20,000 rubles!"
Lifehack for summer residents: In winter, wash windows with a solution of vodka (1:1 with water). Alcohol prevents water from freezing.
“This is how I wash the windows in the garage at -30°C,” shares Sergey from Yakutsk.
Author: Valeria Kisternaya
