Window cleaning is one of the most unpopular household chores. It requires manual work, can take time, and the result is rarely satisfactory since there are often streaks left on the windows. 

While there are specialised window cleaning products in the supermarkets that claim to give the best results, more often than not, they will leave you disappointed.

So if you’re not using white vinegar to clean your windows what other natural item is there? According to the cleaning pros at Plant Friendly Living, citric acid will “make your windows streak-free and sparkle in under 30 minutes”.

Citric acid, whether in its full form or lemon juice, will dissolve the stains on windows that are often a result of limescale.

The experts said: “The mild acid in citric acid is excellent at removing residue from water droplets, cutting through grease and removing grime, which means that it works really well as a natural window cleaning solution.”

To clean your windows with citric acid, mix up a cleaning solution of one to two tablespoons of citric acid powder to 500ml of warm water, and pour into a clean spray bottle.

Shake well to ensure the citric acid powder is fully dissolved before spraying a generous amount of the cleaning solution onto the window, starting at the top.

With a squeegee (if you have one) or soft cloth, wipe the solution off the window, again starting at the top and working down.

If using a cloth, go in with a scrunched-up newspaper after to dry any remaining moisture from the window and “polish to a shine”.

If the cleaning spray lands on any unpainted woodwork or natural stone surrounding the window, make sure that you wipe it off promptly. 

If left on a porous surface for an extended period, there is a risk that the acid in the spray - although weak - may damage the surface.

Cleaning experts at Karcher also class citric acid as one of the “best household remedies for cleaning windows”.

For those using lemon juice instead of pure citric acid powder, the pros recommend combining it with black tea.

Mix one large cup of strong black tea with around three litres of water in the bucket and add the juice of half a lemon. Then use a microfibre cloth to clean the window panes. 

The tannins from the tea “loosen fat and even nicotine”, while the citric acid is “effective against limescale”.