We need a car for everything these days. The school run, commuting to work, running errands. Let’s face it; a car is an essential part of life.
But constant use means it gets dirty! We find bugs on the windshield. Bad weather covers it in grime. And as we all know, there’s not much point in having a windscreen we can’t see through!
What we need is an awesome cleaning solution. And that’s why we decided to take a look at some of the best auto glass cleaners currently available on the market. So, let’s check them out and find the perfect detergent for your mean machine…
Contents
- 1 Top 6 Best Auto Glass Cleaners On The Market In 2022 Reviews
- 1.1 1 Invisible Glass 92164-2PK 22-Ounce Premium Glass Cleaner and Window Spray – Best Invisible Auto Glass Cleaner
- 1.2 2 Sprayway, Sprayway Glass Cleaner, 19 oz Cans, Pack of 4, Blue and White – Best Affordable Auto Glass Cleaner
- 1.3 3 Meguiar’s G8224 Perfect Clarity Glass Cleaner, 24 Fluid Ounces – Most Effective Auto Glass Cleaner
- 1.4 4 Meguiar’s Glass Cleaner Concentrate – Car Window Cleaner for a Crystal Clear View – D1200 1 gal – Best Value for the Money Auto Glass Cleaner Concentrate
- 1.5 5 3M Glass Cleaner, 08888, 19.0 oz – Most Versatile Auto Glass Cleaner
- 1.6 6 Chemical Guys CLD_202_16 Signature Series Glass Cleaner,16 fl.oz – Best Budget Auto Glass Cleaner
- 2 Best Auto Glass Cleaners Buying Guide
- 3 Looking for more great products to keep your car or motorbike sparkling?
- 4 So, what are the Best Auto Glass Cleaners?
Top 6 Best Auto Glass Cleaners On The Market In 2022 Reviews
1
Invisible Glass 92164-2PK 22-Ounce Premium Glass Cleaner and Window Spray – Best Invisible Auto Glass Cleaner
Good clean fun
Up first, we have this Invisible glass cleaner that guarantees to wash auto glass so well that we won’t even know it’s there!
But can it live up to this promise?
Containing absolutely zero additives, this cleaner leaves the windshield free from streaks. And as there are no unpleasant chemicals, it doesn’t have any strong smells or dyes. It simply removes mucky marks without leaving a residue behind.
This lack of residue means it helps to prevent the windshield from getting dirty again. After all, muck needs something to cling to. Thanks to the mild formula, the screen remains grime-free.
Now, we should mention that it needs to be used with a high-quality towel. Any old rag won’t do, as it is likely to leave moisture on the glass. We’d recommend a decent microfiber cloth to get the most out of this product.
Is it expensive?
Well, it isn’t the cheapest car windshield cleaner we’ve seen. But it doesn’t totally break the bank, either. Plus, we get not one but two 22-ounce bottles in the pack. That’s a whole lot of cleaning fluid, which should last for quite a while!
And it’s worth the money! This is a fantastic option! It truly does leave the windscreen completely clear.
So, does it live up to its promise?
It sure does!
Pros
- Gentle solution.
- Streak and residue-free.
- Two bottle set.
Cons
- A little on the pricey side.
2
Sprayway, Sprayway Glass Cleaner, 19 oz Cans, Pack of 4, Blue and White – Best Affordable Auto Glass Cleaner
Spray the dirt away
Our next product comes with a massive four cans of fluid! At 19 ounces each, they’re sure to keep us going for a long time to come.
But do they work?
Absolutely! With a light-foaming action, the liquid eats into grime on the glass, dislodging it. All we have to do is wipe it away using a high-quality microfiber towel. And that foam is drip-free. It clings to the windshield to remove the dirt. We won’t catch it drizzling down, leaving watermarks on the paintwork.
Free from ammonia, this formula is soft and gentle. There are no unpleasant odors here! Plus, as it doesn’t contain any nasty chemicals, it can be used on tinted glass too.
Does it leave streaks?
Well, it shouldn’t. But if it’s not dried properly, then it can. It would be best to use two separate cloths with this product, one for cleaning, and one for drying.
That just means we need to put a little more effort in! But to be honest, it’s not such a big deal to use more than one towel.
Anything else?
These are aerosol cans. OK, so that forceful spray action can assist by blowing away dirt! But aerosols are seriously bad news for the environment and lead to health problems, too.
We can’t deny, though, this Sprayway glass cleaner does a fantastic job! And at a pretty great price as well.
Pros
- No ammonia.
- Value of money.
- Foaming liquid.
Cons
- Aerosol can.
3
Meguiar’s G8224 Perfect Clarity Glass Cleaner, 24 Fluid Ounces – Most Effective Auto Glass Cleaner
I can see clearly now
Now for a cleaner from the mighty Meguiar’s brand! This titan of industry is well-known for their top-quality automotive cleaning products. But will this one live up to their sterling reputation?
This isn’t just any glass cleaner. Meguiar’s manufacture items for the car cleaning industry, and this a professional product. Incredibly strong, it swipes cleanly through dirt and debris, leaving a sparkling, clear windscreen.
Strong? That must mean it contains lots of chemicals, right?
Wrong! It’s actually quite a moderate solution. And as it’s entirely free from ammonia, so it can be used on tinted glass.
Grease, bug splatter, bird droppings; there’s nothing this windshield glass cleaner can’t remove. It really does work on anything. It can even clean interior windshield haze, making it ideal for smokers out there.
Sounds great! What’s the catch?
It works best when used with other Meguiar’s products. And that can really start to push the price up if we want to buy them all! We’d also be happier if it worked just as well with other towels.
And while we get a massive 24 ounces of fluid, only one bottle is included. Other items reviewed had two or more bottles. We don’t get as much value for the money as we do with other products.
Quality comes at a price…
Having said that, it does have the edge over many other cleaners around! With quality such as this, maybe it’s worth splashing the cash.
Pros
- Strong solution.
- Streak-free.
- No ammonia.
Cons
- Single bottle.
4
Meguiar’s Glass Cleaner Concentrate – Car Window Cleaner for a Crystal Clear View – D1200 1 gal – Best Value for the Money Auto Glass Cleaner Concentrate
A clean cut
Now for the second product from Meguiar’s in our review. This one is a little different from the others we’ve reviewed. There’s no spray bottle or aerosol can here.
11 gallons!
Instead, we get a huge jug of concentrate. In fact, it’s an entire liter of cleaning solution. And once diluted, it will make a whopping 11 gallons of glass cleaner!
This is an extremely cost-effective item. Thanks to that concentrated recipe, it’s incredibly long-lasting. And as we don’t need to keep buying small bottles of cleaner, it’s good for our carbon footprint, as well.
Let’s get down to business. Does this cleaner work?
Definitely! It means business. It effortlessly cuts through grease and grime, leaving shining, crystal-clear glass behind.
Is the windshield covered in built-up bird poop? No problem! As the solution is meant to be diluted, all we have to do is adjust the ratio. We can make a stronger cleaning fluid for those really tough stains. And it won’t leave any unwanted residue. There are no streaks here! We can be sure of an easy car detailing experience, with no nasty surprises left on the windscreen.
It sounds like this cleaner has everything we need!
But there is a slight issue. We need to be careful when washing the car. It should not be used on paint or plastic, so we should avoid letting it touch the bodywork.
Oh, and there’s just one more thing to mention. It has a lovely aroma! We’d be happy to use this on the inside of the car for a sweet smell the next time we take a drive!
Pros
- Massive quantity.
- No streaks.
- Suitable for tinted windows.
- Money-saving.
Cons
- Cannot be used on other materials.
5
3M Glass Cleaner, 08888, 19.0 oz – Most Versatile Auto Glass Cleaner
Wash n’ go!
The penultimate product in our review of the best auto glass cleaners is this aerosol cleaner from 3M. Not only for glass, this one can be used on plastic, chrome, and other kinds of metal too. And even better, though it’s an aerosol, it’s entirely non-flammable.
How does it work?
This time, it’s foam. Simply spray on the solution, and watch as it froths up to start dissolving that road grime. It eats away at dirt in seconds, allowing us to conveniently wipe it away.
And that foam has non-drip properties. It actually clings to the glass, even at a sharp incline! We won’t get any watermarks making the paint job look messy.
That’s not all…
It’s streak-free. This fluid won’t leave behind any nasty residue. It cuts through grease and washes away filth without any smudges or smears.
That all sounds great! What’s the downside?
It does have a bit of a smell. When sprayed, there’s definitely a chemical-like tang in the air. If used on the interior of the windscreen, it could get trapped inside the car.
And we’re not huge fans of aerosols. This would be better in a pump-action bottle. Every little helps when it comes to protecting the environment!
Ultimately, this is an awesome product with just one or two minor flaws. But it has to be the Best Foam Auto Glass Cleaner you can buy, and it’s pretty easy on the wallet to boot!
Pros
- Great price.
- Non-drip foam.
- Non-flammable.
Cons
- Not environmentally friendly.
- Pungent!
6
Chemical Guys CLD_202_16 Signature Series Glass Cleaner,16 fl.oz – Best Budget Auto Glass Cleaner
Wash it down
Our final car windshield cleaner comes from Chemical Guys. Here, we get 16 ounces of liquid in a handy spray bottle. And at a bargain-basement price!
But does to trade quality for cost?
This non-abrasive, non-toxic formula is safe to use on tinted glass. That’s right; it’s ammonia-free! And thanks to this, it doesn’t have a strong smell, making it ideal for sensitive noses.
Plus, it’s not just for glass! That non-toxic formula is safe for plastic, too. It can be used in a wide range of household situations, not only on a windshield.
Simply fades away dirt and grime…
We don’t need to use too much of this one. A light mist will suffice. With just a couple of quick sprays, dust, bugs, and bird droppings will simply fade away.
Though when it comes to really solid muck, we need to use a bit of elbow grease! It won’t magically remove tough grime by itself. The windshield will need a good scrub with a microfiber cloth.
Ultimate protection…
It reduces static. This works to actually repel dust. It adds a protective element that we don’t always find, even with the very best glass cleaners for cars.
That all sounds too good to be true! Is it?
Well, we do have one problem here. While it claims to be streak-free, it lets itself down in this department. Unfortunately, we can expect to find a couple of marks left on the glass.
Which is a shame, because this is an otherwise amazing cleaner! We just love that static reduction. And it sure is easy on the pocket book.
Pros
- Dirt repelling.
- Non-toxic.
- Long-lasting.
Cons
- Leaves streaky marks.
Best Auto Glass Cleaners Buying Guide
As we’ve seen here, there are a huge number of car windshield cleaners on the market today. So, it’s hard to know which to pick. But what should we consider when looking at the best car glass cleaners?
Firstly, it’s important to think about chemicals. In the past, cleaning products often used a lot of ammonia. But that’s not the case these days.
Why?
Ammonia is a pretty harsh chemical. It can damage certain materials, and the smell is over-powering! It’s important to choose a product that is ammonia-free. This is particularly important when it comes to tinted glass. Ammonia can really do a number on it! Those with darker windows need to be extra careful.
Will it leave any kind of residue on the windshield?
We sure hope not! Any unwanted moisture it leaves behind gives dirt something to stick to. It’s super important to avoid this.
And it shouldn’t leave streaks, either. We need to be able to see clearly through the glass! Streaks can impair our vision, as well as look unsightly.
Cigarette smoke
As any smoker knows, nicotine forms a layer on most surfaces, and the windshield is no exception. In this case, we need a cleaner that can be used inside. This means avoiding strong odors, as the scent could get trapped inside when we close the car door.
No matter how often we clean, the car always ends up getting dirty again! So, we don’t want a one-time product. There should be enough in the bottle for it to last a long time, and it shouldn’t require using large amounts of the liquid every time we wash the car.
Price
This should be another consideration. No one wants to hand over too much cash! But it’s important to remember that higher quality generally means a higher cost.
And finally, think about how it is dispensed. Aerosols are convenient, but they have a terrible effect on the environment. We’d pick a hand spray over an aerosol anytime.
Wow! There’s more to think about than most people realize! Hopefully, we’ve given you a better idea of what you should be looking for the next time you visit the auto detailing store.
Looking for more great products to keep your car or motorbike sparkling?
Then check out our reviews of the Best Buffing Pads, the Best Car Waxes, the Best Bug Tar Removers, the Best Car Air Fresheners, and the Best Car Vacuum Cleaners currently available.
Or take a look at our reviews of the Best Dashboard Cleaners for Cars, the Best Motorcycle Windshield Cleaners, the Best Carburetor Cleaners, the Best Wheel and Tire Cleaners, and the Best Car Upholstery Cleaners you can buy in 2022.
So, what are the Best Auto Glass Cleaners?
Choosing a winner was harder than we expected! We saw some incredible glass cleaners in this review. But in the end, we picked the…
Meguiar’s Glass Cleaner Concentrate – Car Window Cleaner for a Crystal Clear View – D12001, 1 gal
We choose it because the dilutable formula means we get a huge amount of bang for our buck! This was the most economical product we saw by far. Plus, anything that reduces the amount of plastic packaging used is alright in our book!
And of course, it works perfectly. Dirt is no match for this cleaner! And, we get that delightful aroma as well.
Happy car cleaning!