Question:
I just had the windows on my car tinted. I heard that there are some cleaners you shouldn’t use on tint. My question is: What is the best way to clean tinted windows?

Answer:
Many car owners choose to customize their vehicle with after market window tint. This is especially true in warm, sunny climates. This will make your car look great and provide some protection, but when it comes time for cleaning, you will need to take special care. Many everyday cleaners and techniques will actually damage your newly tinted windows over time.

What is it?
Window tint is actually a thin film that is applied to the inside of your vehicles window. There are several different shades to choose from, but all provide some degree of shade and privacy. This thin film is a plastic material called Mylar. Some characteristics of this material are that it is prone to scratching or tearing, and can fade over time if ammonia is used on it.

The most important thing to remember when cleaning tinted windows is to not use any window cleaner with ammonia in it. This includes Windex and many other popular brands. After extended use, the ammonia will cause your windows to appear purple and cause the tint to weaken and become brittle. It also releases tons of toxic fumes that are harmful if inhaled. It is not really recommended to use in any enclosed area which would definitely include a vehicle.

You have a few options when choosing effective and safe methods of cleaning your tinted glass. You can run out to the auto parts store and buy a specialized spray that is designed for tint and carries an expensive price tag. This method will work, but many of these special cleaners are not that effective, cost extra and are only good for cleaning tinted windows and nothing else. Another method would be to use some homemade solution involving vinegar, mild soap or both. This can be effective too, but can also be extremely time consuming. If you don’t get the mixture correct, you could be trying to clean soap bubbles off your windows for a while. Soap can also leave a sticky residue which only attracts more dirt. Also, unless you are using newspaper, you run the risk of leaving behind lint when you wipe.

Is there an easy way?
Of course there is. The easiest way to clean tinted windows is also the easiest way to clean any window in your home, office or vehicle, regardless of tint. The ultimate window cloth allows you to clean any glass surface without chemicals, so it is safe for tint. All you need is water to remove 99% of all dirt, dust, smudges, germs and more from your windows. This incredible cloth combines the cleaning power of microfiber with the absorption ability of a shammy. It has a two-sided design, and will leave your glass clean, streak-free, lint-free and polished.

How To:
One side is made from microfiber so it is great for cleaning, while the other side is made of shammy material. This side is great for drying and polishing. To clean your windows all you have to do is get the cloth damp and wipe away. Wipe with one side to clean and remove build-up. Then flip it over and use the shammy side to dry and buff to a polished, streak-free shine. This cloth is totally reusable and washable. Use it over and over for sparkling windows, mirrors, chrome, and more. It’s dual sided design provides for unmatched cleaning power and drying ability. This amazing little cloth will allow you to clean windows, mirrors and other like surfaces with just water as a detergent. That’s right. No more window cleaner. Just add water to get your windows cleaner than ever and without a chemical residue or any kind of streaking or lint. And you certainly do not run the risk of turning your windows purple. This is an incredibly simple and inexpensive way to ensure you always have the best looking windows possible. Just pay one low price to clean your windows hundreds of times.

Another Way
You could also use a regular microfiber cloth to get the job done.  We have many specialty microfiber cloths that are each suited for different cleaning jobs, but our Multipurpose Miracle Cloth would be the best choice for washing your tinted windows. It is a lint-free cloth that cleans with only water just like the Ultimate Window Cloth does. This type of cloth will be able to achieve a similar level of clean, but the downside would be the lack of a shammy underside for drying to a streak-free and polished shine. The advantage to this type of cloth would be that it is not as specialized, so it can also be used to clean other parts of your car too. Use it dry to dust your dashboard or GPS unit. Get it wet to remove grime and dirt build-up from your center console, arm rests and other notoriously dirty parts of your vehicle.

So if you want the perfect cloth that is specifically designed to achieve  the absolute best looking windows possible, then you want to go with the Ultimate Window Cloth. But if you want a cloth that would do a good job with your windows but can also be used other places as well, then you should choose the multipurpose microfiber cloth. Whichever one you choose though, you are sure to be able to get those tinted windows clean without any risk of harming them. These are both totally easy to use, and completely reusable and washable.

Ultimate Window Cloth

Microfiber Cloth

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