# Why do people clean windows and mirrors with newspapers? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 16, 2004, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-clean-windows-and-mirrors-with-newspapers/240412 "2004-04-16T19:20:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2004, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-clean-windows-and-mirrors-with-newspapers/240412/1 "2004-04-16T19:20:19Z")
I always see people do this. Doesn’t the ink rub off and stain the glass? I mean, is it just to save money on paper towels? Or does newsprint have special glass cleaning qualities? ---
**Author:** ![cowgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2004, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-clean-windows-and-mirrors-with-newspapers/240412/2 "2004-04-16T19:27:33Z")
No, the ink does not rub off and stain the glass. It’s great to use because it doesn’t leave streaks or bits of fluff (which rags or paper towels can). I actually use just crumpled newspapers - no Windex - to clean my windows and it works pretty well. Maybe it’s something in the ink … ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2004, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-clean-windows-and-mirrors-with-newspapers/240412/3 "2004-04-16T19:38:16Z")
Huh. I didn’t know people did that. I’ll have to try that sometime. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2004, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-clean-windows-and-mirrors-with-newspapers/240412/4 "2004-04-16T20:26:22Z")
Yeah, it’s the lint-free thing. Another good use for newspaper: If someone gives birth to a baby in the car or something, wrap it in newspaper. It will not only keep the baby warm, but it is extremely clean. It’s made from new paper each day, so the germ factor is way low. ---
**Author:** ![Lobelia\_Overhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/54ee81/32.png) [@Lobelia\_Overhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobelia_Overhill)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2004, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-clean-windows-and-mirrors-with-newspapers/240412/5 "2004-04-16T21:42:36Z")
yup it’s something in the ink that makes the glass shiney (makes a terrible mess of your hands tho’) Crumpled up newspaper is very good for drying out the insides of boots ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2004, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-clean-windows-and-mirrors-with-newspapers/240412/6 "2004-04-16T21:49:39Z")
Crumpled up newspapers are also wonderful at absorbing odors. Like if you have a wooden chest that smells musty, or a fridge that reeks of dead food, or even a car that was vomited in. Crumple up a slew of newspaper and fill up the enclosed space for a couple of days. ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2004, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-clean-windows-and-mirrors-with-newspapers/240412/7 "2004-04-16T22:00:45Z")
Then newspaper is surprisingly good at rubbing off the dirt and absorbing the cleaner without tearing up. Just don’t use the glossy ads for the department stores. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2004, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-clean-windows-and-mirrors-with-newspapers/240412/8 "2004-04-16T22:17:28Z")
> [@Lobelia Overhill](#): > > yup it’s something in the ink that makes the glass shiney (makes a terrible mess of your hands tho’) Has anyone done any research or testing on whether there’s a difference between the old traditional oil-based inks and the newer “non-rub” water/soy-based inks? ---
**Author:** ![Myglaren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@Myglaren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myglaren)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2004, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-clean-windows-and-mirrors-with-newspapers/240412/9 "2004-04-16T22:50:16Z")
> [@Jackknifed Juggernaut](#): > > I always see people do this. Doesn’t the ink rub off and stain the glass? I mean, is it just to save money on paper towels? Or does newsprint have special glass cleaning qualities? The version that I heard (No Cite, many years old) was that the ink was lead-based and that put a polish on the glass without leaving any visible residue. ---
**Author:** ![ltfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@ltfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ltfire)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2004, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-clean-windows-and-mirrors-with-newspapers/240412/10 "2004-04-16T23:23:28Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > Yeah, it’s the lint-free thing. > > Another good use for newspaper: If someone gives birth to a baby in the car or something, wrap it in newspaper. It will not only keep the baby warm, but it is extremely clean. It’s made from new paper each day, so the germ factor is way low. Not a nitpick, just an addendum…from my EMT class, an UNREAD newspaper i.e… That hasn’t been opened. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2004, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-clean-windows-and-mirrors-with-newspapers/240412/11 "2004-04-17T00:01:26Z")
> [@StarvingButStrong](#): > > Crumpled up newspapers are also wonderful at absorbing odors. Like if you have a wooden chest that smells musty, or a fridge that reeks of dead food, or even a car that was vomited in. Crumple up a slew of newspaper and fill up the enclosed space for a couple of days. However, crumpled newspaper is a terrible packing material. Newspaper crushes easily and has little or no rebound. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2004, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-clean-windows-and-mirrors-with-newspapers/240412/12 "2004-04-19T17:28:31Z")
> [@ltfire](#): > > Not a nitpick, just an addendum…from my EMT class, an UNREAD newspaper i.e… That hasn’t been opened. 🙂 Well, yeah…completely new is better than used, but if all you have is used, it’s probably not going to be harmful. ---
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2004, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-clean-windows-and-mirrors-with-newspapers/240412/13 "2004-04-19T19:16:53Z")
I have just been watching a household hints and tips programme on BBC TV. On there they said ,as well as crumpled newspaper , use vinegar instead of a proprietary window cleaner spray.The sort recommended was clear malt vinegar. I don’t know if you can get this in the USA. ---
**Author:** ![EsotericEnigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e274bd/32.png) [@EsotericEnigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EsotericEnigma)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-clean-windows-and-mirrors-with-newspapers/240412/14 "2004-04-20T02:20:05Z")
> [@Rayne Man](#): > > I have just been watching a household hints and tips programme on BBC TV. On there they said ,as well as crumpled newspaper , use vinegar instead of a proprietary window cleaner spray.The sort recommended was clear malt vinegar. I don’t know if you can get this in the USA. Vinegar is one of the best natural cleaners around. I use it to clean windows, tile, all sorts of things. ---
**Author:** ![LorieSmurf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a587f6/32.png) [@LorieSmurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LorieSmurf)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-clean-windows-and-mirrors-with-newspapers/240412/15 "2004-04-20T05:02:29Z")
Wouldn’t vinegar be stinky, though? Seems the house would smell like a pickle jar or fish restaurant. ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-clean-windows-and-mirrors-with-newspapers/240412/16 "2004-04-20T12:21:54Z")
Nope – the smell vanishes in seconds. BTW, that’s another use for vinegar: put a shallow dish of it in a room that’s been smoked in, and it will absorb the ‘old cigarette’ smell. ---
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-clean-windows-and-mirrors-with-newspapers/240412/17 "2004-04-20T12:28:55Z")
Vinegar is also quite effective at killing germs with , according to that same programme , an 80% kill rate. They recommended cleaning the outside of your toilet with it. ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-clean-windows-and-mirrors-with-newspapers/240412/18 "2004-04-20T13:44:57Z")
> [@StarvingButStrong](#): > > …or a fridge that reeks of dead food… og forbid it should smell of _live_ food. Gach\* anyone? \*spelling someone, my Klingon is a bit rusty. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-clean-windows-and-mirrors-with-newspapers/240412/19 "2004-04-20T14:46:27Z")
> [@LorieSmurf](#): > > Wouldn’t vinegar be stinky, though? Seems the house would smell like a pickle jar or fish restaurant. Vinegar is cheap, nontoxic, an effective cleaner, disinfectant & deordorizer, and you’re going to complain about the _smell_? I druther smell vinegar than bleach or ammonia. Vinegar is great in the bathroom. Keep a 50/50 spray bottle of vinegar/water in there, and just spray and wipe every day. Cheaper & better than commercial products. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-clean-windows-and-mirrors-with-newspapers/240412/20 "2004-04-20T16:28:01Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > Another good use for newspaper: If someone gives birth to a baby in the car or something, wrap it in newspaper. It will not only keep the baby warm, but it is extremely clean. It’s made from new paper each day, so the germ factor is way low. If someone gives birth in my car I will be using the newspaper. To beat them over the head for soiling my car!!! 😉