You just got your car back from the washing center. It is shining like a million dollars. They certainly did a good job cleaning the exterior. But when you hop in, you are more likely to be staring at a windshield that is going to blur your vision. No, it is not your eyesight! It’s about time to clean the inside of your car’s windshields.

The inside of your car is as susceptible to contamination as it is on the outside. But we often tend to ignore what’s right in front of our eye: the windshield. Before you know it, you are left with a streaky, smeary windshield with dust, smudges, and fingerprints all over it.

It gets worse when you are driving. The windshield fogs up quickly inside. The lights from the opposite direction glare brightly, blinding you for a moment at night, which might lead to road accidents. That’s the last thing you would want when you are behind the wheels.

If you have ever been in such a situation, you are not the only one. The insides of the car windshields are one of the most difficult parts of a car to clean. The windshield gets dirty for obvious reasons, but the most common reason is off-gassing. In simple words, the plastic interior components of your car, like dashboard and door panels, release chemicals in vapor form that give off a “new car smell”. The vapor compounds with other pollutants and sticks to the windshield, creating an oily, smudgy surface.

Okay, that’s enough science for a day. Let’s clean some windshields, shall we?

How To Clean Car Windshield Inside?

You don’t need professional help to clean the insides of the car windshields. It is a DIY project that you can accomplish with basic tools and few simple steps.

Get The Right Tools

For the best results, make sure that you have the right set of tools to start with. We have listed some essentials for your convenience.

• Lint-free microfiber towels or a reversible cleaning cloth
• An extendable windshield cleaning tool
• Spray bottle
• Automotive glass cleaner
• Homemade glass cleaner (Alcohol, vinegar, and water)

These tools are easily available and inexpensive, but they are quite effective and easy to use. Once you have them ready and at arm’s reach, it’s time to get into some real action.

Mix The Solution

You don’t have to be Walter White from Breaking Bad to mix the solution. Here’s Chemistry 101 on creating the perfect glass cleaning solution at home.

Option I: Mix alcohol and water in an equal ratio (1:1)

Option II: Mix the solution with alcohol (15%), glass cleaner (15%), and water (70%)

Or you can just use the automotive glass cleaner. Avoid ammonia-based solutions that you use for household purposes, as they can damage the car interiors.

Before You Start…

Find a shady place to park your car. The glass cleaner works best when it is applied on cool surfaces. If you work under direct sunlight, the alcohol solution will evaporate before you can wipe it off the surface, leaving a smudge.

Be careful not to damage the dashboard. Always cover it with a cloth or towel to prevent the glass cleaner from staining the surface. Wipe the dashboard before you start cleaning the windshield inside.

Since you will be using chemical solutions that can irritate your skin or eyes, take all necessary safety precautions beforehand. It may sound a little too much, but we strongly advise you to use personal protective equipment like safety goggles and gloves.

Step I: Dry Wipe The Windshield Inside

Prepare the surface by using a dry microfiber towel to wipe the glass, following top-to-bottom in an up-and-down motion. This will remove the invisible layer of dust particles from the windshield.

Step II: Apply Glass Cleaner

Take another clean towel and spray the glass cleaner on it. Do not overuse the spray as it makes the surface hazy. Furthermore, it is not a good idea to spray it directly onto the windshield. Take our word for it!

Use a circular motion to wipe the windshield inside from top to bottom. The wet surface of the towel picks up most of the dust on the surface. Use another clean towel to dry out the surface, using long swipes up and down the windshield. 

Repeat the process until the surface sparkles.

Step III: Clean The Corners

We are saving our secret weapon for the most challenging job: to reach the remote corners of the windshield. Use the extendable windshield reaching tool to clean those lower corners without you having to assume some bizarre yoga positions.

Using Newspapers

Newspapers serve more than just a reading purpose. They are used to give a spotless cleaning to the glass surface. Of course, you can use it instead of towels, but at your own risk.

The print inks on a newspaper can stain the windshield. Therefore, use the pages with no large headlines, ads, or pictures. Do not fold the papers, otherwise, they might get stuck in some corners or cracks forever.

More Tips

It’s a no-brainer that you should clean the windshield inside only after cleaning the exterior, and other interiors of the car. Pay attention to the outside of the windshield as well. Check if the windshield wipers are old or damaged, as they may further ruin the surface.

Cleaning the insides of your car windshield is not a one-time job. It tends to get smeary and oily all again very soon. The rule of thumb is to clean the windshield inside every time you clean the interior.

• You can keep those windshields shining for longer if you take a few precautions:
• Park your car away from the direct sunlight whenever possible.
• Prevent off-gassing of the chemical vapors by allowing the fresh air to flow inside the car while letting the contaminants out. You can do this by simply lowering the car window just enough to allow air movement.

If you have followed all these steps and tips to clean the insides of the car windshields, you must be amazed at the results. You won’t even feel that it’s there.

You are welcome!