The solution may smell for a while but shouldn’t last long. But be careful though as it can discolour some materials, such as wood. For very dirty windows, you can also add ammonia, but make sure you wear gloves. Instead of using a cloth, newspapers can also be effective at getting rid of smears. How we chose our recommendations

If you don’t like using chemicals, an E-Cloth is a very effective alternative. Using masses of microfibres, it removes dirt and streaks from glass surfaces with only water. For tough stains, you can also use these E-Cloths with one of the above glass cleaners, simply spray the glass and wipe the residue away. Weight and capacity: A kilo may not feel like much at first, but after half an hour of holding the unit at arm’s length it will start to hurt – especially when it fills up with 300ml or so of dirty water. The bigger the tank, the more cleaning you can do without having to stop and empty it, but the heavier it will get. So, tank size is less important than leak-proofing and easy emptying. What extra features and accessories are worth having? Looking at the ingredients is another way to choose the best glass cleaner for your surfaces. Some people prefer to use products with ammonia in it, such as Windex Original, as this helps to prevent streaks and makes glass shiny, but it can also smell strongly and irritate your skin and eyes. We recommend you choose a glass cleaner with either ammonia or isopropyl alcohol in it as these ingredients prevent streaks. Alternatively, you can make your own glass cleaner using white vinegar. 2. Spray the glass with your cleanerWould second Autoglym. Always impressed with their products.” (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user PinkJam) Our verdict

Buy an E-Cloth. They are fab and then all you need is water to clean with.” (Recommended by Mumsnet user newcupcake) Our verdict Your car may encounter its fair share of traffic film, grease, dust, bird droppings, oil and even insect remains, but with just a few sprays of Autoglym, you can wipe away any dirt and grime with a microfibre cloth. And to get that ultimate new-car shine, use a different microfibre cloth to buff the window. It’s recommended to clean large surfaces before using the spray to prevent smudging. Top tip: If you’re shining a mirror or glass with stubborn marks on it, such as hairspray or toothpaste, and have followed the above steps, you can remove the stains with isopropyl alcohol. Simply pour some isopropyl alcohol onto a cotton pad and dab or scrub at the stain until it’s gone. How do I choose the best glass cleaner? Working days are defined as Monday-Friday 8am-7pm inclusive, excluding Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays. Next Day & Named Day DeliveryCleaning extras: Many window vacs come with cleaning bottles, microfibre pads and even their own branded cleaning spray. While useful, these extras are unlikely to perform any better than the stuff you already have in your cleaning cupboard. We think Windex Original is the most effective glass cleaner, as it’s versatile and can clean mirrors, showers and even printer heads. Although it’s not the cheapest, it’s highly rated - and it’s easy to see why. This streak-eliminating formula effortlessly cuts through dirt and grease to give a lasting shine. What is the best homemade window cleaner? You can also select a convenient day to receive your delivery by choosing a named day delivery (delivery on working days only). Extendable pole: A few models on our list come with, or are compatible with, telescopic or multi-section poles to help you reach high windows and skylights without wobbling up a ladder. On the downside, a pole can make the vac hard to control, especially if it’s heavy. None of that would matter if the Karcher didn’t clean windows brilliantly – and that’s where it really excels. Suction is strong and efficient right across the nozzle, so you can clean and dry into the silicone seal around your windows. The finish is about as streak-free as a window vac can achieve, although you may want to give your glass a final buff with a dry kitchen towel.