The Magical DIY Solution That Repels Fingerprints From Surfaces At Home

If you're a human, you have friends and family who are also humans, and you have human kids, there's a better-than-good chance your home could look like a CSI scene with just a little fingerprint dust. Sometimes, even without the help of forensics, you can visibly see leftover fingerprints on your surfaces, mirrors, stainless steel appliances, and windows, to name a few. We found a truly magical solution to your problem that creates a barrier against smudges, streaks, and future prints, and it only takes four household ingredients you likely already have — tap water, rubbing alcohol, dish soap, and dishwasher rinse.

Over the years, brands have heard our cries for help and developed fingerprint-resistant surfaces. These types, however, cost more than traditional surface materials, and while people might prefer the special coating and rich satin finish that keep pesky prints at bay, it's not always an ideal pick for those sticking to a budget. Enter the next best thing: A foamy DIY cleaner that fights oils, dirt, and moisture that hands and fingerprints leave behind. 

With just four ingredients, you can easily wipe off prints left on surfaces, and keep them from coming back. Plus, these ingredients help repel watermarks on sink faucets, leaving you with streak-free windows, hardware, and appliances. There are a slew of go-to cleaning substitutes that get the job done, and now, you can add this one to the list.

This foamy cleaning solution is the genius hack we've been waiting for to keep fingerprints from reappearing. You don't have to be brand specific. Any generic dish soap and rinse will do. Our advice is go for the least expensive option.

With some basic fresh supplies, you can make as many as four 16-ounce bottles that cost roughly $2.20 each. You can cut your cost even further by reusing an empty spray bottle you already have. But if you don't, grab a 16-ounce foam spray bottle and add 0.5 ounces of Dawn dish soap, and 1.5 ounces of isopropyl alcohol, which you can probably get cheaply at your local pharmacy. Just like the dishwasher ingredient secret to streak-free windows, mix in 2 ounces of Rinse Aid, which is the magical element that makes this whole thing work. Last, combine 12 ounces of tap (or distilled) water into your bottle. Tip: If your bottle ever gets clogged, there's a nifty hack that unclogs a spray bottle it in a pinch.

Once the mixture is made, use a microfiber cloth to wipe the cleaner off the shiny surfaces, making sure to get rid of any soap residue. You can also try a warm, wet paper towel. We've seen other people make DIY cleaners and add white vinegar to their mixture, or try using hot water instead of room temperature tap to clean prints left on mirrors and windows.