At first glance the only difference between Restore Glass Cleaner and other spray-bottle glass cleaners is the label and the color (most are blue, Restore is clear).

 

review continues below ↓

Restore ingredients seemed more earth-friendly, too. Restore owner Laurie Brown told me that her product contained very little alcohol and no ammonia, the chemical combination which promotes “flash” — that quick-drying, evaporates-in-front-of-your-eyes effect. Knowing this, I was expecting a filmy, slow-drying finish as I test-cleaned. But the residue of Restore Glass Cleaner disappeared quite quickly, leaving spotless, sparkling surfaces on everything I applied it to: mirrors, windows and picture glass, plus some appliances and countertops. Even with the temperature hovering around 32° F. outside (I live in Minnesota, after all), Restore Glass Cleaner did an admirable job on the exteriors of my glass deck doors, which had built up a noticeable layer of winter grime.

More impressive, Restore Glass Cleaner is safe to use on the LCD screens of TVs and computers, especially laptops. These screens consist of thin, flexible plastic that can be damaged by isopropanol, ammonia and ethanol — common glass cleaner ingredients that are great for getting glass surfaces sparkling, but which will make plastic and Plexiglas surfaces yellow, brittle and less transparent over time. Since the screen is the single most expensive component of a laptop computer, it’s worth taking special care to clean it carefully. Whether using Restore Glass Cleaner or a more expensive dedicated computer screen cleaner, use only a soft cloth to apply the solution to avoid scratching.

Price:
Restore Glass Cleaner	22 oz.	$3.95
Brand A Glass Cleaner	32 oz.	$3.15
Brand B Glass Cleaner	28 oz.	$2.89

                  
                        
                   

About Tom McNulty, author of Clean Like a Man

Tom McNulty is the author of Clean Like a Man — Housekeeping for Men (and the Women Who Love Them). It’s filled with dozens of tips, tricks and MANdatory advice to streamline housecleaning. Published by Random House/Three Rivers Press, available in bookstores and on Amazon.com. Visit www.cleanlikeaman.com for even more manly cleaning advice.