Zep Outdoor Window Cleaner vs Streak-Free Glass Sprays

Best for
Exterior windows and patio furniture

The Zep Hose-End Outdoor Cleaner is the only true outdoor product in this group. The 32 ounce bottle has a sprayer that attaches to any garden hose, mixing and dispensing what Zep calls a professional strength formula designed to dissolve dirt and grit from exterior windows and outdoor furniture. Zep lists it for glass, fiberglass, plexiglass, vinyl, aluminum, wood and plastic surfaces.

Zep calls the formula streak-free when used properly, and the key is rinsing. The listing says to fully rinse the surface to remove dirt, not to let the product dry before rinsing, and to soak plants, shrubs and grass with water before and after cleaning. It is not for automobiles, siding, synthetic decks, newly sealed surfaces or mirrors. Be aware the listing is inconsistent: the features say ammonia-free, but a spec field lists ammonia as a special ingredient, and automobiles appear in the uses field despite the warning. Another inconsistency: the description mentions wetting vinyl siding first while the features exclude siding. Follow the label on the bottle when it arrives.

This suits homeowners with lots of exterior glass, sunrooms or a patio set that collects pollen and grit. It gives way to the sprays and foam for anything you would wipe by hand. If you clean decks and siding too, a broader outdoor cleaner concentrate is a better match, since this one excludes those surfaces.

• Attaches to any garden hose
• Concentrated formula for exterior windows and furniture
• Works on glass, fiberglass, plexiglass, vinyl, aluminum, wood and plastic
• Rinse-off application, 32 fl oz bottle

Best for
Hand-cleaning indoor glass and screens nearby

The Zep Streak-Free Glass Cleaner, 128 ounce, model ZU1120128, is the bulk version of Zep’s glass cleaner, made by Zep Commercial. A 128 ounce jug is roughly one gallon, which is useful if you clean many windows, run a small shop or want to refill trigger bottles for different rooms. It is a Zep glass cleaner 128 oz size, so you buy once and decant.

The Amazon listing is very thin. It gives no ingredient list, no surface list, no dilution guidance and no directions, and the listed dimensions and weight (0.01 ounces for a gallon jug) are clearly not accurate. Because of that, we cannot say whether it is ready to use or meant to be diluted, or whether it is ammonia-free. The name promises a streak-free finish, which with any glass cleaner depends on a clean cloth and not overspraying. It suits bulk buyers who already know this product; anyone who wants clear directions should start with the smaller bottle or the foam.

The Zep Streak-Free Glass Cleaner 32 oz, model ZU112032, is the single-bottle version. The listing gives the bottle as 4.44 x 3.05 x 10.9 inches and about 2 pounds, and the title notes a blue color. Like the jug, the listing does not specify ingredients, sprayer type, surfaces or directions.

For outdoor glass, a hand spray works best on windows you can reach from the ground or a step stool, and on sliding doors and patio door glass. It is also the obvious indoor companion if you want a clear view out of your game room: spray the inside, wipe with a lint-free cloth, then let the hose-end cleaner handle the outside. It gives way to the 128 ounce jug if you go through bottles fast, and to the foam on vertical glass where runs and drips are a problem. Keep sprays away from monitor and TV screens unless the screen maker approves glass cleaner, since many displays have coatings that dislike harsh cleaners.

Best for
Vertical glass, mirrors and car windows

The Zep Foaming Glass Cleaner 19 oz bundle includes two aerosol cans and a blue microfiber rag, listed as model ECBD028. Zep describes it as an ammonia-free foam that removes fingerprints, smudges, road film and grime from glass in the home and vehicle. The clinging foam sticks to vertical surfaces, which the listing says eliminates dripping.

That makes it the pick for mirrors, shower doors, windows and auto glass, including cars that the hose-end cleaner warns against. The reusable, lint-free microfiber rag is designed to buff glass to a clear, streak-free finish after the foam goes on. It is the easiest of the four to use in small bursts, like a quick windshield wipe before a road trip to a tournament. It gives way to the hose-end cleaner on large exterior windows, where hand application would take far longer.

• Ammonia-free aerosol foam
• Clings to vertical glass without dripping
• Rated for windows, mirrors, shower doors and auto glass
• Two cans plus a reusable microfiber rag