Should You Clean an Airplane Windscreen Before Every Flight?

A dirty or scratched windshield can be a potential safety hazard.

Meg Godlewski

Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 12:28 PM ET

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Plain water and a clean microfiber cloth are a good start for cleaning an aircraft windscreen. [Credit: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

Regular windscreen cleaning is essential for flight safety and to prevent costly damage to the delicate plexiglass, which is prone to scratching.
Clean gently with plain water and a fresh microfiber cloth, rinsing first and wiping top-to-bottom without circular scrubbing or excessive pressure.
Avoid abrasive materials like paper towels and chemical cleaners such as Windex, as its ammonia can degrade and haze the plexiglass.
For stubborn grime, specialized cleaners like Prist are recommended, applied according to directions with gentle, soaking strokes.

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Question: How important is it to clean the windscreen of an airplane before every flight? And what do I clean it with? I’ve heard horror stories about accidental damage.

Answer: Kudos to you for wanting to be proactive and doing your homework. A dirty or scratched windshield can be a potential safety hazard, and replacing a windscreen that was scratched by poor cleaning technique is not something you want to deal with. It can cost thousands of dollars in supplies and labor. If the aircraft is on leaseback to a flight school, it could also lead to a loss of revenue.