How to Clean Your Windshield

Your on road visibility is only as clear as your windshield. If your windshield is covered in dirt and grime from the road, it will be harder to see what’s in front of you. Cleaning your windshield inside and out will help keep you safe on the road.

Tools & Materials

Safety Glasses Safety Glasses

Gloves Gloves

Glass Cleaner Glass Cleaner

Shop Towels Shop Towels

Microfiber Towels Microfiber Towels

Spray Detailer Spray Detailer

Clay Bar Clay Bar

Glass Treatment Glass Treatment

How To Clean Windshield

This page and video will show a windshield being cleaned on a 2002 PT Cruiser (video), and a 2015 Jeep Patriot (page), but the process will be very similar on any other vehicle.
As always—before any job—take a look at your service manual. If you don’t feel completely comfortable doing this yourself, we can refer you to a professional detailer.
Show More Show Less
Put towels down on the dashboard before beginning to clean windshield of car

Step 1: Prepare dashboard

Put towels down on the dashboard. In some cases, the glass cleaner can cause stains. It’s also best to spray your glass cleaner directly onto the towel or glass clean tool.
Show More Show Less
Variety of products to clean windshield

Step 2: Choose your glass cleaning supplies

Choose a glass cleaner that’s made specifically for automotive use. Automotive glass cleaners are ammonia-free, so they won’t damage any tint you might have. We also recommend a glass clean tool, as it makes it easier to reach the corners and bottom of your windshield.
Show More Show Less
Spray microfiber cloth with glass cleaner and wiping up and down the inside of windshield

Step 3: Clean the inside of the windshield

Spray your glass cleaner directly on the towel or glass clean tool. When you’re cleaning the windshield, start on one side, and wipe vertically and then horizontally. This should minimize any streaking. When you’re done with the first half, move over and repeat those steps on the other side.
Show More Show Less
Spray down the outside of the car windshield with glass cleaner

Step 4: Clean the outside of the windshield

The process will be similar on the outside of the windshield. Start by lifting the wipers out of your way. Decide which half of the windshield you’ll clean first, and spray it with enough glass cleaner to wipe the area thoroughly.
Show More Show Less
Use microfiber towel to start wiping windshield in a vertical pattern

Step 5: Clean windshield with microfiber towels

Use microfiber towels to wipe the glass clean, starting with a vertical pattern, then horizontal. If you have trouble reaching the whole windshield, your glass clean tool can be used here. After you’ve finished cleaning one side of the windshield vertically and horizontally, repeat those steps on the other side. If your windshield is now clear, skip to step 7. If there are still some tough spots, proceed to step 6.
Show More Show Less
Cleaning windshield with spray detailer and clay bar

Step 6: Removing tough spots

If your windshield has tough, caked-on contaminants, use a spray detailer and clay bar to work any stubborn water spots, bugs or bird droppings off the glass. Different products will vary, so follow the directions on the brand of your choice.

Using detailer and clay bar
Start by spraying the recommended amount of detailer on the first half of your windshield. Hold the clay bar like a bar of soap at the bottom of the windshield in the middle, and slowly slide it up the glass to the top. Put the clay back at the bottom, but closer to you, and slide it to the top again. Repeat this process from the middle of the windshield all the way to the outer edge.

The idea is to cover the whole windshield, and when you come to a spot where your bar doesn’t glide freely or gets stuck on some caked-on grime, use your bar to work it off the glass. After you’ve worked the tough spots out of one half of the windshield, repeat the process on the other half.

When you’re finished, wash your windshield again with your glass cleaner.
Show More Show Less
Spray a new microfiber cloth with Rain-X Glass Treatment and condition the glass

Step 7: Use glass treatment

Once it’s clean and completely dry, the windshield can be conditioned with an automotive glass treatment. Spray a microfiber cloth and apply it to the glass in overlapping circles, doing half the windshield, then switching to the other side.


Show More Show Less

Additional Resources

Windshield Wiper Blades

Shop Wipers
O’Reilly Auto Parts carries the best windshield wipers to help keep you safe by ensuring maximum windshield visibility with the right fit for your vehicle.
When to Change Your Wiper Blades

When to Change Your Wiper Blades
Replacing wiper blades when needed, will keep you safer on the road.
How to Install Wiper Blades

How to Install Wiper Blades
Having good wiper blades, and replacing them when needed, will keep you safe on the road.
Shop All Things Car Wash

Shop Car Wash

Shop washes, waxes, and cleaners to help keep your car clean, inside and out.

The automotive repair work depicted in this series is performed under the direction of the manufacturer of the product featured. Prior to undertaking any of the demonstrated repairs on your vehicle, we suggest you consult with a certified mechanic or another professional who can adequately advise you of the proper repair or remedy required. O’Reilly Automotive Stores, Inc. and its affiliates (“O’Reilly”) disclaims any responsibility for injury or damage resulting from a viewer’s attempt to recreate the repairs shown in this series.