A year ago, I moved into a new house, and my friend, Paige, spent days helping me unpack boxes and organize cabinets like the saint she is. So when I walked into the dining room and found her wiping down my glass-front china cabinet doors with a crumpled piece of newspaper, I thought exhaustion had finally gotten to her. Turns out, she was using a cleaning trick passed down from her dad—and it works better than any blue spray and paper towel combo I’ve ever tried.
Cleaning glass with newspaper isn’t just some quirky vintage hack; it’s a legitimately effective, zero-waste method that leaves windows, mirrors, and glass sparkling without a single streak. Best of all, it costs nothing and uses something you’d otherwise toss in the recycling bin.
Why It Works
While it seems like newspaper shouldn’t be used for cleaning—after all, it does leave hands grimy—that paper and ink composition is exactly why it’s effective. According to Matt Aiken, the Executive Editor of the Dahlonega Nugget, and who has spent his career working with newsprint, the secret is in the paper itself. “I’m no scientist, but from what I hear, the fibers of the newspaper make it so that there are no streaks,” he says. Linens, rags, and even paper towels are made of fibers that are too soft and loose. As a result, they leave behind lint, streaks, and frustration. Newspaper, on the other hand, is made of tightly compressed wood pulp fibers that buff glass to a shine without shedding, so there’s no lint in sight. The ink, ironically, often the culprit behind newsprint complaints, acts as a mild abrasive. The texture buffs without scratching, creating a shiny, streak-free surface.
How To Clean With Newspaper
To get started, you’ll want to avoid glossy or coated inserts by selecting traditional, black and white, broadsheet pages. Broadsheet is the largest, most traditional newspaper format, recognized for its long and wide pages. Think of it as the kind that usually requires it to be held with both hands. For simple dusting, you won’t need to use any liquid. Simply crumple and gently wipe the surface. If you’re facing a more serious soil, select your cleaning solution of choice and lightly spray the area before using the same delicate crumple method. As your mother taught you, move in a circular or S-pattern in order to dislodge debris. Thanks to its naturally absorbent quality, the newspaper will prevent liquid from being left behind. There is, after all, a reason so many puppy owners turn to it during potty-training.
Other Creative Uses For Old Newspapers
“We’ve been here in Dahlonega since 1890,” says Aiken. “So, [the paper] has been used for a lot of weird things over a hundred years, not just reading.” On Wednesdays, Aiken picks up any leftover papers before the new issue hits the stands. Unused papers are left in the Nugget office for locals to pick up as needed on a first-come, first-served basis. Over the years, art teachers have grabbed them for their papier-mache projects, and papers have been used for shipping supplies. Last summer, Aiken himself even created a faux wasp nest with old issues. Wasps are territorial, so hanging a fake nest near a problem area tricks them into thinking another colony has already claimed the space. “It actually worked! We had a wasp-free back porch just because we bunched up some Dahlonega Nuggets and hung them next to my door,” he says.
Of course, I’m partial to one particular local who used to regularly take leftover papers. “I haven’t seen him in a while, but we do have a window washer who used to come in pretty frequently to get the extra papers,” says Aiken…