How to clean your car’s windshield from the inside in 4 steps

After getting your car off the dealership, you would appreciate your car’s clean interior, polished exterior, shiny glasses, and fresh-out-of-the-factory smell. However, as time passes by, these details tend to fade due to inevitable factors.

A dirty windshield can be distracting while driving

Your car’s windshield is one of the most common pieces that get filthy after some time. The windshield from the outside certainly gets dirty due to dirt and dust as you drive along. But did you know that the inside part of your windshield gets dirty as well?

We could point out many factors why the inside part of your windshield gets dirty. However, the most common reason is because of the oily residue produced by your interior. A car mostly consists of an interior made from plastic and vinyl. Once these materials are heated, they release oily residue which your windshield will accumulate.

Avoid smoking inside your car as it also builds up dirt on your windshield

The oily residues will distract you from driving especially at night when these are reflected by passing car lights. With that being said, here are four simple steps to clean the inside of your car windshield.

Preparation

Grab the necessary cleaning tools so you can have a satisfying result. You will need microfiber towels, paper towels, rubbing alcohol, a cloth, and glass cleaner. Make a 50:50 water and alcohol mixture which is sufficient enough to remove oily residues on your windshield.

Clean the outside first to help you clean the inside better

After grabbing the required cleaning tools, clean the outside part of your car’s windshield first. This way, you will see the oily residues more clearly. Cleaning the windshield from the outside is way easier as you can use pressurized water.

Step #1: Wipe it off using a microfiber towel

The first step you want to do is to wipe the inside of your car’s windshield using a dry microfiber towel. This will remove excess oily residues and dirt on the windshield. We recommend you to wipe in a circular motion for better results.

Step #2: Degrease using water/alcohol mixture

After wiping the windshield with a dry microfiber towel, dip your cloth in your water/alcohol mixture and squeeze it tightly. You don’t want the excess mixture to drop on your dash as it can leave a stain or result in discoloration. Wipe the windshield with the cloth across the windshield in a circular motion as well.

Step #3: Dry the windshield

Dry the inside of your car’s windshield using a microfiber towel. Do not use the microfiber towel you used in the first step as it already contains oily residues. If your microfiber towel touches the dash, use a new one to assure that oil will not be accumulated on your windshield. Be sure to completely dry the windshield off for better results.

Step #4: Spray the windshield with glass cleaner

Finish the cleaning process by using a glass cleaner. This will help your car’s windshield become shinier as compared to just cleaning it off with a water/alcohol mixture. A glass cleaner will also avoid oil build up so you won’t have to clean the inside of your car’s windshield from time to time.

More tips to clean inside of car windshield

One of the most effective tips you can have is to always use a new microfiber towel. You are working with glass so any small dirt and oily residues are easily seen inside and out. Using a new microfiber towel assures that there will be no unwanted residues left.

Keep it clean for better visibility on the go

The second tip we can give is that cleaning the inside of your car’s windshield can be difficult in hard-to-reach places such as in between the glass and dash. With that being said, you can use reach-and-clean tools so you can gain access to the tight spaces.

The last tip is that you can also use the said steps to other windows in your car, not just the windshield. If you already have the cleaning tools with you, then you might as well clean the other windows.

>>> Related: 3 useful tips to keep your windshield in its top shape

How to keep your sparkling window last

The primary reason why the inside of your car’s windshield gets accumulated by oily residue is due to the heat from sunlight. When heat is inducted into your car’s dash, it releases oily residues that your windshield takes up. So what you can do is park your car inside a garage or at least under a shaded area.

Wash your car in a regular basis to avoid scratches

Another way to keep your sparking window last is by slightly opening the window of your car. If your car is parked in a garage, then you can open it halfway. This way, air can help circulate in your car which avoids contaminants from building up.

Cleaning your car’s windshield from inside can take up some of your time especially if done on a regular basis. This is why we recommend you do the things that can at least lessen the periods you clean your windshield. With a clean windshield, you can also see better especially at night, which could lessen the chances of you running into an accident.

>>> Related: Simple Tips to DIY Your Windshield Washer Fluid

How to clean car windshield from inside: FAQs

Q: Can I use cloth in cleaning the inside of my car’s windshield?

You can use a cloth. However, a microfiber cloth will evidently provide you better results.

Q: What is the recommended mixture of water and alcohol in cleaning a windshield?

There is no magic number for the mixture. But for starters, you can use a 50:50 mixture so you can save some alcohol.

Q: Where do oily residues on my car’s windshield come from?

These oily residues come from your car’s plastic and vinyl when heated.

Q: What is the most effective way to avoid oily residues on my windshield?

You can park your car in a garage as the heat is the one number reason why your interior releases oily residues.

Q: Do I need to use a glass cleaner?

It is not necessary. However, we highly recommend you use a glass cleaner for better and lasting results.

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