How much washing-up liquid should I add to window cleaning water?

Very little — typically 1-2 drops (about 1-2ml) per litre of water. Too much creates excessive foam, leaves residue and causes streaking. The solution should feel slightly slippery but produce minimal bubbles when agitated. Professional window cleaners often use less than you would expect.

What is the best additive for traditional window cleaning?

Professional glass cleaning solutions like GG4, Unger liquid, or similar concentrates are specifically formulated for window cleaning. They provide the right level of lubrication for the squeegee without leaving residue. They also contain agents that help prevent streaking and speed up drying.

Should I use hot or cold water?

Warm water (not hot) cleans better than cold because it helps dissolve grease and dirt more effectively. However, very hot water evaporates too quickly and can cause streaking, especially in warm weather. Lukewarm (25-35°C) is ideal for traditional squeegee work.

Can I use the same solution all day?

Change your solution when it becomes visibly dirty or loses its cleaning power. In practice, most window cleaners change their bucket water every 15-25 windows depending on how dirty they are. Using dirty solution spreads grime and produces poor results.

CleanCalcs

Window Solution Mix Calculator

Work out the exact volume of pure water additive for window cleaning solutions.

Total Solution Volume

Total volume to make up

Additive Type

Custom Dose (optional)

Override default dose rate

How We Calculate This

How the calculation works

Additive volume is calculated from the total solution needed and the dosage rate for the selected product.

Standard dosage rates (ml per litre)

Washing-up liquid: 2 ml/litre
Professional glass cleaner: 5 ml/litre
Rinse aid additive: 1 ml/litre
GG4 / concentrate: 3 ml/litre

Formula

Additive (ml) = total volume (litres) × dose rate (ml/litre)

Water = total volume − additive volume

You can override the default dose rate with a custom value.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities and timings for your specific situation.