Gransnet forums

Chat

Windowlene

(37 Posts)
grannyrebel7 Sun 04-Apr-21 09:22:33

I rarely clean my windows, but my kitchen ones were looking decidely bad. So I thought, ah I know I'll get some Windowlene with my weekly shop, save all that messing around with soapy water. Alas, no Windowlene or any stuff for cleaning windows in Morrisons! Just wondering does it still exist as, come to think of it, I haven't seen any for years? Needless to say said windows didn't get cleaned ?

ixion Sun 04-Apr-21 09:27:51

Was that the pink, gloopy stuff you had to force out of the bottle?
If so, then no, I haven't seen it for years and had forgotten of its existence!

Loislovesstewie Sun 04-Apr-21 09:29:03

Sorry but I am a soap and water person;just as easy as proprietary cleaners and a lot cheaper.

YorkLady Sun 04-Apr-21 09:29:44

Savers have it at £2 per bottle, Amazon at about £9 for three bottles..
most supermarkets just stock the clear sprays for window cleaning. I use hot soap water and the Vax.

Franbern Sun 04-Apr-21 09:30:16

Window (glass) cleaners are these days usuall green liquid in spray bottles. You could use vinegar and newspaper. I remember windowlene, but never sure of its efficiency.

I use a karcher window vac to clean the inside of my windows, and all mirrors and shower unit. So easy.

LadyGracie Sun 04-Apr-21 09:31:23

Washing up liquid, small amount, wipe glass and frame with a cloth and dry off with old tea towels, quick and easy.

Calendargirl Sun 04-Apr-21 09:31:48

I remember the jingle, well, some of it.

‘Wipe it off, stains away,
Wipe it off, no delay,
So easy with new Windolene, Win-do- le—-en’

grandmajet Sun 04-Apr-21 09:57:02

Calendargirl, I was just singing that! ?

tanith Sun 04-Apr-21 10:00:28

I loved windolene for blanking out the windows while we were decorating my first house saved putting newspaper over the windows. Don’t see it very often now though.

Sago Sun 04-Apr-21 10:05:14

Ha, I’ve just remembered that stuff!
My mother made such a task of window cleaning, she used to smear the stuff on then frantically rub as she had to get it polished off before it dried.
She did this with pursed lips and amazing vigour.
She wanted to be known in the lane for having sparkling windows.

While she was occupied we were experimenting with Tia Maria and Cinzano.
We did actually make little cocktails, we once added some Lourdes holy water thinking that would protect us from being caught.
We refilled the little Our Lady shaped bottle with tap water.
I am definitely going downstairs.?

What a ridiculous product.

Jane43 Sun 04-Apr-21 10:14:47

Yes I remember it too. My friend used to have to do housework for her mother and was given a few tasks each day. One day she was told to clean the living room windows inside and out. Unfortunately she put the Windowlene on both sides then started to wipe it off so she was constantly having to go back and forth because she couldn't tell which side the white smears were on. Her mother came home before she had finished and really shouted at her for being so silly, she was noted for her bad temper, I was scared of her and I still remember my friend crying.

grannyrebel7 Sun 04-Apr-21 10:16:24

That made me laugh! I'm determined to get some nowsmile Thanks guys.

Sunnyoutlook Sun 04-Apr-21 10:20:58

I have some Windolene here. It’s now a blue liquid “with added vinegar” in a spray bottle. Soapy water works just as well though.

Susiewong65 Sun 04-Apr-21 10:27:25

Ooh used to love the smell of windowlene !.

Nowadays I don rubber gloves and use scrunched up newspaper and water to wash my windows then a dry piece of newspaper to buff them up, it works a treat and doesn’t leave smeary marks.

Anannymous Sun 04-Apr-21 10:47:53

I got some pink Windowlene from the hardware shop in Southwold last year after looking for ages. I was so excited Mr A offered to buy me another bottle for Christmas.

timetogo2016 Sun 04-Apr-21 11:12:45

I have heard of some excuses to not clean windows grannyrebel7,but thats a corker.LOL

nadateturbe Sun 04-Apr-21 12:47:25

I loved it too. I found it online last year and got 3 bottles. I hate the smell and it seems laborious now using it.
Two bottles are unopened and I'm using a hot water chamois on the inside windows and nirrors or vinegar water spray. Soapy water outside. Much easier imo.

Jane43 Sun 04-Apr-21 12:57:04

I have a spray bottle with water and vinegar and find that squirts of that wiped off with a microfibre cloth does the job, inside only though as we have a window cleaner for the outside of the windows.

Casdon Sun 04-Apr-21 13:02:39

I’m really lazy I think, as I now use the Method window cleaning spray, I just spray it on and wipe off with a microfibre glass cloth, it takes me two minutes and gives an excellent result with no streaks, one spray per window is enough. A bottle lasts about a year, and I’ve also got two internal glass paned doors and a dog, so it’s good value.

grannypiper Sun 04-Apr-21 14:02:49

Water and vinegar, then newspaper to dry. Cheap and easy

SueDonim Sun 04-Apr-21 15:12:46

I bought some pink Windowlene just recently from a general store that has an old-fashioned ironmongers dept. If this shop doesn’t stock it, you don’t need it. grin They had just the one bottle, so possibly it’s left over from 1957. Haven’t used it yet so I can’t say whether it works well.

Amberone Sun 04-Apr-21 15:18:21

How strange, we were just talking about Windolene yesterday. I was telling my OH about the time when I was about 10 and cleaned the car for my Dad.

I used Windolene on the windows and windscreen thinking I was making them nice and sparkly but never mentioned it. Next time it rained he was cursing because the windscreen wipers wouldn't work properly and the windscreen got all smeary grin.

lovebeigecardigans1955 Sun 04-Apr-21 18:51:20

When we were kids we had to clean the inside of all the windows with Windolene every Saturday morning, alternating with the dusting. Hated it.
I think that it's been largely usurped by better products which are easier to use and less inclined to streak.

Aldom Sun 04-Apr-21 19:05:31

Sago Ooo you were 'norty', but you made me laugh. Thank you grin

Greyduster Sun 04-Apr-21 20:09:56

Stardrops white vinegar spray; spray on, wipe off, no smears. jobs a good ‘in. Windolene was hard work in comparison.