What is "windex"

thumb|left|upright=0.4|The original Windex formula came in a metal canWindex is the brand name of a glass and hard-surface cleaner manufactured since 1933. S. C. Johnson acquired Windex in 1993 and has been manufacturing it since. The product was reformulated in 2006.

When Windex was invented in 1933 by Harry R. Drackett, it was almost 100% solvent and highly flammable, and had to be sold in metal cans. When modern surfactants were introduced after World War II, the product was reformulated. The original Windex was colored a light, translucent shade of blue for consumer appeal. Today there are varieties marketed in several colors (ocean fresh blue, sunshine lemon and citrus orange) and fragrances (spring bouquet, ocean mist, lavender and tea tree), with a number of additives such as vinegar, lemon, lime, or orange juice.

On August 26, 1969 Melvin E. Stonebraker and Samuel P. Wise received U.S. patent #3,463,735 for a less caustic version, listing example formulae, one of which is 100.0% isopropyl alcohol (a highly volatile solvent) 1% ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (a less volatile solvent), 0.1% sodium lauryl sulfate (a surfactant), 0.01% tetrasodium pyrophosphate (a water softener), 0.05% of 28% ammonia, 1% of a dye solution, and 0.01% perfume. This formula was not only less expensive to manufacture, but allowed the product to be packaged in glass bottles and dispensed with a plastic sprayer.

In 1989 Windex was a 5% ammonia solution.

In 2015 the S.C.Johnson website lists the ingredients as Water, 2-Hexoxyethanol, Isopropanolamine, Sodium Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate, Lauramine Oxide, Ammonium Hydroxide, Fragrance, and Liquitint® Sky Blue Dye.

The popularity of Windex in the U.S. led to the generic use of the trademark for similar products, including those marketed under different brands Window Cleaner or glass cleaner.