Can You Use Newspaper to Clean Windows?

You've probably heard it from a parent or grandparent: scrunch up an old newspaper, spray the glass, and wipe away for a streak-free shine. It's one of those household tips that's been passed around for generations. But does it actually work — and should you still be doing it today?

Why People Used Newspaper in the First Place

The newspaper trick wasn't a myth. For decades, it genuinely produced good results. The reason came down to the ink. Old-fashioned newspaper ink was oil-based, and that waxy, slightly abrasive quality helped cut through grime and left glass with a polished finish. The dense, fibrous paper also didn't shed lint the way cotton rags did, which was a big deal before microfiber existed.

So your grandparents weren't wrong, then. They are wrong now in that special way old people often are. But genuinely, with the materials available to them at the time, newspaper was legitimately a good tool for the job.

Why It Doesn't Work Anymore

Modern newspaper ink is soy-based or water-based. It was changed for environmental and health reasons, which are good things — but it means the ink no longer has the cleaning properties that made the old trick work.

Today, using newspaper on your windows is likely to cause more problems than it solves:

• Ink transfers onto the glass. Modern ink smears easily when wet, leaving gray or black streaks on the pane.
• Ink transfers onto frames and sills. White or light-colored window frames can get stained, which is a much bigger headache to fix.
• It can scratch some glass coatings. Newer windows often have low-e coatings or tinting. Newspaper is rougher than it looks and can damage these finishes over time.
• It falls apart when wet. Modern newsprint is thinner and breaks down quickly with liquid, leaving paper fibers stuck to the glass.

The result is usually a window that looks worse after cleaning than before.

What to Use Instead

Microfiber cloths are the modern replacement for newspaper — and they're far superior. They're lint-free, highly absorbent, and won't scratch glass. Use one damp cloth to wash and a separate dry cloth to buff. A pack of good microfiber cloths costs just a few dollars and lasts for years.

A rubber squeegee is what professional window cleaners use for a reason. Pull it across the glass in overlapping horizontal strokes from top to bottom, wiping the blade between passes. Nothing removes water and cleaning solution more cleanly or efficiently.

The right solution matters too. A few drops of dish soap in warm water is all you need to keep your windows looking great between professional cleanings.

Quick Comparison

The Bottom Line

Newspaper had its moment, but that moment has passed. Modern ink, thinner paper, and coated glass surfaces make it a poor choice for window cleaning today. Microfiber cloths and a simple homemade solution will get you better results in less time, without the risk of streaks, stains, or scratched coatings.