Is Windex Toxic?

What’s in Windex?

Windex is best known as a glass cleaner, but Windex also comes in formulations intended for cleaning electronics, hard surfaces, and outdoor equipment. Since Windex products are designed to clean surfaces, the main active ingredients in Windex are cleansing agents. Common Windex ingredients include surfactants (wetting agents that also help lift dirt from surfaces), solvents (compounds that dissolve grime), fragrances, and dyes. Some Windex products contain alcohol, ammonia, or preservative agents.

Does Windex contain ammonia?

Some formulations of Windex contain ammonia. These products should never be combined with bleach when cleaning. Combining bleach and Windex that contains ammonia can lead to the formation of chloramine gas. Chloramine gas is highly irritating to the nose, mouth, and throat when inhaled. In some cases, inhalation of chloramine gas can result in severe symptoms that might require hospitalization. Chloramine gas inhalation is rarely fatal.

Does Windex kill germs? 

Windex products sold as glass cleaners are designed to clean windows but do not disinfect. Some Windex products, including Windex Disinfectant Cleaner Multi-Surface, are effective in killing germs including Staphylococcus aureus, influenza viruses, and Escherichia coli. To know whether a particular Windex product kills germs, read the product label carefully as not all Windex formulations are disinfectants. 

Is there a safer alternative to Windex?

All cleaning agents are potentially toxic, but people who make and use homemade glass and hard surface cleaners can avoid exposures to fragrances and dyes that can cause allergic reactions in susceptible individuals. In many cases, homemade cleaning products are also less expensive than store-bought products. To make homemade window cleaner, add ½ cup of white vinegar to 1 gallon of water (or mix 2 tablespoonfuls of vinegar into a quart of water).

Is drinking Windex dangerous?

Due to the presence of solvents and surfactants in Windex, consumption of these products can result in toxicity. The chemicals found in these products can cause stomach irritation, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea if swallowed. In severe cases, confusion, drowsiness, and mouth burns can occur after ingestion of Windex products.

Was there a lawsuit involving Windex?

In previous years, certain Windex products carried a label that read “non-toxic formula.” The manufacturer of Windex, SC Johnson, was the target of a recent lawsuit alleging that this labeling of Windex products misled consumers into thinking that the product was not potentially harmful to humans. The lawsuit was settled prior to trial. As a condition of the settlement, consumers who purchased certain Windex formulations between January 2019 and June 2021 were eligible to receive a cash payment.

What to do if someone gets Windex in their eyes

The chemicals present in Windex can cause eye irritation and can potentially cause eye injuries. If someone gets Windex in their eyes, immediately irrigate the eyes with room-temperature tap water for 15–20 minutes to flush the chemicals out of the eyes. If the affected person is wearing contact lenses, remove them prior to irrigating the eyes. You can also contact Poison Control for expert, personalized advice by going online to www.poison.org or by calling 1-800-222-1222. Both options are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day. 

What to do if someone drinks Windex

If someone swallows Windex, get guidance from Poison Control immediately. Help from Poison Control is available at www.poison.org and by phone at 1-800-222-1222. Both options are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.

WINDEX is a trademark of S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.

Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD
Medical Toxicologist

For media inquiries, please contact Krista Osterthaler at osterthaler@poison.org.