Posted By: Truly Free
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Posted On: 4/28/2025
You probably recognize the sharp, stinging smell of ammonia the moment you spray a conventional glass cleaner.
Thanks to decades of marketing efforts, that intense scent has long been associated with “clean.” But here’s the truth: you don’t need worrisome chemicals to get crystal-clear glass.
At Truly Free Home, we knew there was a better way. That’s why our non-toxic glass cleaner is powered by plant-based ingredients that get the job done without exposing your family to harsh fumes or questionable chemicals.
And because you deserve to know exactly what’s in the non-toxic glass cleaner you’re bringing into your home, we’ve broken down what each ingredient does, where it comes from, and especially, why it works even better than ammonia.
Why Ammonia Was Used in Glass Cleaners (And Why We Don’t Use It)
Ammonia has long been used in traditional cleaners because it evaporates quickly and helps leave glass streak-free. But this comes at a cost.
According to Medical News Today, exposure to ammonia—even in small amounts—can cause:
We’re on a mission to free more than 10 million homes from harmful toxic chemicals and excess plastic waste. So we turned to plant-based ingredients to create an ammonia-free glass cleaner.
Instead of ammonia, we rely on green chemistry—safe, non-toxic ingredients that perform just as powerfully, with none of the health risks.
Here’s what’s inside our non-toxic glass cleaner refills.
✅ Alkyl Polyglucoside
What it does: A non-toxic surfactant that boosts cleaning power by breaking the surface tension of water, helping lift dirt from glass.
Why we use it: It’s extremely mild, effective, and biodegradable.
Source: Derived from sugars (typically corn or wheat) and plant-based alcohols.
✅ Cocamine Oxide
What it does: A foam booster and cleaning agent that helps cut through oily grime and water spots.
Why we use it: It enhances the performance of other surfactants while remaining mild and biodegradable.
Source: Derived from coconut oil.
✅ Sodium Citrate
What it does: Acts as a natural water softener to prevent streaking caused by minerals in tap water.
Why we use it: It improves cleaning efficiency and supports a smooth, streak-free finish.
Source: A salt form of citric acid, produced via natural fermentation from plant sugars.
✅ Sodium Benzoate
What it does: A safe, food-grade preservative that helps keep the formula stable and shelf-safe.
Why we use it: It prevents microbial growth without the need for harmful chemical preservatives.
Source: Naturally occurs in some fruits; our version is synthetically derived for purity and safety.
✅ Deionized Water
What it does: Acts as the base of the formula, dissolving and delivering active ingredients evenly across surfaces.
Why we use it: It’s ultra-purified water that’s free from minerals, which helps eliminate streaking.
Source: Triple-filtered and purified through a deionization process.
“Truly Free Home’s Glass Cleaner combines powerful ingredients that target grime, fingerprints, and streaks,” explains Luisa D., Truly Free Home’s Green Chemist and Director of Product Development and Innovation.
“The combination of natural surfactants like Decyl Glucoside and other Alkyl Polyglucosides loosen grime while water softeners like Sodium Citrate stop minerals from drying on glass, which is a common cause of streaks.”
Because it’s free from ammonia, bleach, dyes, and chemical fragrances, it’s safe to use around your kids and pets.
Best of all, it works on more than just mirrors and windows. You can use it to clean the many device screens in your life, from your smartphone to the GPS in your car.
Experience the Streak-Free Shine for Yourself
We believe you shouldn’t have to choose between a streak-free shine and your health. With Truly Free Homes’s Glass Cleaner, you get both.
We actively support multiple safe-houses and orphanages in Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Mexico. We provide over 200 children with food, education, clothing, shelter and ultimately hope for a bright future.
