Of all the places around the home, I definitely find it hardest to keep my windows looking sparkling and streak-free. Particularly now as the days get longer, I find myself noticing every speck of dirt in the spring sunshine.
With increased levels of pollen, debris just seems to settle on them all the time. And, after a cold and rainy winter, mine are looking worse than ever.
So, while researching the best way to clean them, I came across a little-known Victorian cleaning tip for an enviable shine, and had to give it a go. It's definitely a little less conventional, but the best, and just about only good part is all you need is a teabag and a soft cloth.
I tried the Victorian window cleaning hack using tea bags
Harking back to the Victorian era, I was surprised to find out how savvy they had been when it came to eco-friendly sustainable cleaning swaps. But, in an era long before the commercial, chemical, and mass-produced cleaning supplies we know and love today, it makes sense that our ancestors had to get a little more creative.
In collaboration with Plumbworld, historian Matt Hawthorn explains, 'Victorians were incredibly resourceful, and black tea was one of their go-to cleaning solutions. The tannins naturally cut through dirt and leave glass surfaces sparkling, without harsh chemicals. It’s a simple, cost-effective method that still works today.'
It's worth mentioning that I recently tried teabag bathroom cleaning, and had been assured by Karina Toner, cleaning expert and operations manager at Spekless, about the power of tannins. Therefore, I didn't need much convincing to that this hack could work.
My only concern was that, in my bathroom, I found my teabags worked particularly well on porcelain surfaces and metal faucets, but left glass streaky. Nevertheless, I boiled my kettle, grabbed my microfiber cloth, similar to the Great Value Multipurpose Microfiber Household Cleaning Cloth available at Walmart, and got going.
First things first, you'll need to brew a cup of black tea. This was nothing unfamiliar to me – I usually boil the kettle at least five times a day when I'm working from home. Grabbing a tea bag from my tea storage ideas, I popped it into my mug and poured it over boiling water. You can make tea without a kettle, but luckily that wasn't necessary this time. Then, I waited for it to cool completely.
All prices correct at time of publication.
These microfiber cloths are super soft and lint-free, to leave your windows shiny without the worry of streaking.
This gorgeous storage canister is similar to what I keep my teabags in, to keep them air-tight and fresh.
This genius tea bag storage box keeps your collection neat and organized, made of high-quality, durable, BPA-free plastic.
Once cool, I dipped my microfiber cloth straight into the tea.
After wringing out any excess liquid, I simply used my cloth to wipe down my window, and at this point was feeling optimistic. It did seem to be clearing off the dust and debris that had built up over the winter months, and appeared surprisingly clear, quelling my worries of streaking. Unfortunately, I was wrong.
My verdict
Much like what I found when cleaning my bathroom, unfortunately, once dried, my windows looked streaky and cloudy. I'm all for cleaning my home without harming the planet, in fact, neglecting to do so is one of the bad housekeeping habits I'm breaking up with this year. But, in this instance, I'll stick to cleaning with vinegar, or using my regular glass cleaner instead of my microfiber cloth instead.
This ammonia-free, plant-based cleaner leaves no streaks or chemical smells, with an all-natural formula that's never tested on animals.
FAQs
How do you clean really old, dirty windows?
The best way to clean really dirty windows, when cleaning a neglected house, for example, is to use a commercial window cleaner, or mix up your own best homemade window cleaner, using equal parts water and vinegar, with a few drops of mild dish soap.
Then use microfiber cloths or a squeegee, such as the All-Purpose Stainless Steel Shower Squeegee available at Amazon, to clean before rinsing. Opt to do this on a warm and sunny day for quick drying.
It's not only teabags I've tried cleaning with – I've also tried cleaning my shower with a potato, and cleaning my mirror with shaving foam.
