How to Clean the Inside of Your Windshield Without Leaving Streaks
Trying to clean the inside of your windshield — but keep getting streaks? Here’s the pro method to get perfect, crystal-clear results every time.
Few detailing tasks frustrate people more than trying to clean the inside of their windshield. It always seems to streak, haze, or leave residue — no matter what you do.
But with the right tools and technique, you can get perfect, streak-free glass every time. Here’s how.
Why the Inside of the Windshield Gets So Dirty
The inside of your windshield picks up a lot of contaminants you may not think about:
- Off-gassing from interior plastics
- Smoking residue
- Body oils and fingerprints
- Dust buildup
- Poor quality previous cleaning attempts
This creates a film that clings stubbornly to glass — and why cleaning it the wrong way often makes it worse.
What You’ll Need
- High-quality glass cleaner (no ammonia)
- Softer Than Soft Microfiber Towel — shop here
- Everyday Microfiber Towel — shop here
- Foam sponge or glass cleaning tool (optional for hard-to-reach areas)
Step-by-Step: How to Clean the Inside of Your Windshield
Step 1: Park in the Shade and Let Glass Cool
Do not attempt this on hot glass — you’ll almost always get streaks. Work in the shade or wait for the interior to cool.
Step 2: Spray Cleaner onto the Towel, Not the Glass
Spraying directly onto the windshield inside the car leads to overspray on your dash and trim — and more streaks. Instead, lightly mist your towel.
Step 3: Wipe in Overlapping Straight Passes
Use a side-to-side or up-and-down pattern — not circular motions — and overlap your passes slightly.
Step 4: Use a Dry Towel to Buff Immediately
This is the real trick — immediately follow with a dry Softer Than Soft Microfiber Towel and buff gently. Flip the towel frequently.
Step 5: Use a Glass Tool for Hard-to-Reach Areas
If you can’t comfortably reach the bottom corners of the windshield, use a dedicated glass cleaning tool or a microfiber wrapped around a foam block.
Pro Tips
- Clean the inside of your windshield last during a detail, after everything else is done.
- Use dedicated towels for glass only — never cross-use towels that touched dressings or coatings.
- For stubborn haze, do a second pass — it often takes 2 rounds to remove old film.
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- How to Clean Car Glass Without Streaks — Pro Tips for Crystal Clear Windows
- How to Clean Car Wheels and Tires — Complete Guide
With this process, you’ll never fight with streaks on your inside windshield again — just clear, sharp, pro-looking glass!
