I Found a New Way to Clean My Windows, and I’ll Never Go Back

I’m a fan of spray cleaners, but I’ll admit it — my trigger finger tends to get tired, especially when I’m cleaning windows and bathroom mirrors. And then there’s the race to wipe the surface before the spray runs down to the bottom — unless you’re into streaks on your glass (which I’m definitely not).

While I’ve always considered an arm workout to be the “bonus” of cleaning glass, I’m also always on the lookout for products that make life a little easier. So when I got the chance to try Windex’s new foam formula, I got excited to clean windows for the first time in my life.

I’m going to guess you don’t need an introduction to Windex. It’s been a household staple since the 1930s, and I’m sure a lot of us have a hard time not calling any spray cleaner “Windex.”

However, you might not be familiar with Windex Fast Shine Foam, a new version of the classic cleaner in — yep, you guessed it — foam form. This product launched earlier this year to rave reviews; it even won the Surface Cleaner category in PR Newswire’s 2025 Product of the Year Awards. And in my humble opinion, it’s well-deserved.

Window cleaning has always been a joint effort in our house. My husband takes care of the screens, while I handle the glass. This time around I used the Windex Fast Shine Foam, and I instantly saw the beauty of the new formula.

When I spray the foam, it stays put. Unlike a liquid cleaner that runs and creates streaks on a vertical surface, the foam adheres to the glass, which gives me time to clean and polish without rushing. With the foam I didn’t have to worry about drippy spray or streaks. I was able to properly clean and polish each window, moving from one to the next. If I missed a spot, I could easily spray a little more foam and buff it out.

I use a microfiber cloth to clean windows and mirrors, and it’s usually soaking wet by the time I’m done with spray cleaners. But because I used far less product with the foam, my cloth was only damp by the time I finished cleaning the downstairs windows, mirrors, and even a glass shower door in the guest bath. Not only was I able to clean more efficiently, but I also spent far less energy because I didn’t have to worry about drying off any spray residue. And because Windex works on various surfaces, I also used the damp cloth to wipe down windowsills and baseboards before calling it a day.

I was so impressed with how clean my windows and mirrors looked, but I didn’t realize how great they actually were until my mother-in-law came over and complimented me on the glass shower door. I proudly replied, “It’s Windex Fast Shine Foam!” (I almost demonstrated it for her, but I held back.)

Having now tried both the spray and foam formulas, I’ve realized why cleaning products come in different formulas — while the cleaner itself is still effective, the delivery method can make certain tasks a whole lot easier. For vertical surfaces like windows and mirrors, I’m definitely considering switching from the spray to the foam formula moving forward.

Buy: Windex Fast Shine Foam Glass Cleaner, $3.48