Cleaning windows and glass without leave streaks can prove tricky – there is a reason supermarket shelves are laden with products touted to leave surfaces with a crystal clear finish.

For those looking to get the job done without harsh chemicals, vinegar is a popular option that's non-toxic and cost effective. But there's another kitchen staple touted to be better than vinegar for cleaning – a glass cleaner you can make at home using old tea bags. The kitchen scrap is the "secret ingredient" to streakless windows, according to professional cleaners.

The DIY streak-free window and glass cleaner is a recipe that came about after much trial and error, shared Crowd Cleaners: "After years of trying all kinds of methods, ingredients, and techniques, we’ve found the secret ingredient to streakless windows!"

You'll need to collect some tea bags as you drink them through the week. The recipe requries 10 to 15 black tea bags specifically, as per the cleaners, and make sure to remove them from your cuppa before adding milk.

When it comes to cleaning, they recommend using a squeegee or newspaper for the nicest finish.

"Of course, it’s always best to prep beforehand," they instructed.

"I find for window cleaning, either a professional squeegee will do the trick, or newspaper. Yes, newspapers are one of the best things for achieving streakless windows."

They continued: "And other than that, all you need are about 10-15 used black tea teabags. Yes, you heard me, black tea teabags. Make sure they’ve been removed from the tea before you’ve added milk though!

"Milk will definitely leave your glass at home quite muggy, to say the least! Other than that, you need a small amount of general glass cleaner. And that’s it!"

How to clean windows without streaks

DIY window cleaner recipe

1. Drink 10-15 cups of tea, removing them before milk is added, and put aside them for the solution.
2. Now, boil about 300ml of water and add the teabags.
3. Get your standard glass cleaner and add about 20-50ml.
4. Now put your DIY glass cleaner in a spray bottle!

Method

1. Spray your glass with your DIY cleaner, don’t be shy with it!
2. Using the soft side of a sponge, lightly go over the glass surface. Pay special attention to any smudges or greasy areas.
3. Now rinse the glass with hot water and spray the glass again.
4. Using either your squeegee or newspaper (whichever you feel more comfortable with) dry the glass surface.

The best way of cleaning glass with a squeegee

If cleaning with a squeegee, there's a certain technique to get the best clean.

Crown Cleaners explained: "When using your squeegee, start from the top right corner, drag horizontally across the top until the edge, kind of like a rainbow shape, and then drag down.

"Exercise the amounts of pressure you use until you find the perfect amount to leave your glass streakless.

"More than likely, you’ll have to wet and dry with a squeegee at least two or three times before achieving crystal clear glass."

How to get glass perfectly clean with newspaper

As for cleaning with newspaper, they advise not to get the glass too wet. Spraying too much will turn the newspaper soggy and leave streaks behind.

They said: "We advise using at least three or for sheets at once. Make sure there are no creases in the newspaper before you start the drying process.

"Get your sheets of newspaper, place them on a top corner of the glass, apply pressure, and drag slowly down. You may have to lightly wet the glass and repeat the process a few times.

"If there are any small smudges, using the newspaper and rubbing firmly over the spot will help break down the grease and dirt.