We get a lot of offers for product reviews, and some of the stranger ones are things like trash bags. We tend to try just about everything, but what can you really say about a trash bag? “Man, this thing really holds trash!” I was a little curious when we were offered some Fish Foam window cleaner. I know fish oil is supposed to have some health benefits, but I never thought Fish would make for a good window cleaner.
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Cleaning my Windows with Fish Foam
When I finally cracked open a can of Fish Foam, I started wandering around my house cleaning windows, mirrors, and other glass. I quickly realized that cleaning windows is boring, and I’m easily distracted. I began to attempt drawing or writing words with the foam. These pictures capture how I slowly shifted from cleaning windows to drawing pictures.
I even discovered that one of my sliding glass doors is a death trap for flies and spiders. Somehow they get caught under the grid.
Anyway, back to the window cleaner. I was curious how Fish Foam would stack up against a well recognized brand like Windex. So I cleaned half a window with the foam, and the other half with Windex.
Check out my dirty window.
The result? They both cleaned the same. I did enjoy how the foam didn’t run or drip, and it doesn’t take very much to clean a big surface. I found Fish Foam to be a good cleaner for windows, mirrors and my storm door. Trying to find an even bigger challenge, I decided to test the foam on my shower doors- soap scum and all.
Following the instructions, I shook up the can, and spayed the doors (hoping for the promised “streak-free clean”). Here’s how they looked after.
Fail.
Cost
Since the Fish Foam seemed to work just as well as Windex, the real question is how they compare on price. A single 19-oz can of Fish Foam costs $3.95 or about $0.21 per oz. I found a 32 fl oz bottle of Windex at Walmart for $2.87 or $0.09 per fl oz. I’ll concede that Fish Foam is a “professional grade” product but at the end of the day, I wouldn’t buy it.
Oh. You should know that Fish Foam doesn’t actually have any fish in the product (so far as I can tell). Also, I didn’t use any animals to test this product, and none were harmed in the writing of this article.
I usually just use Windex (or whatever ammonia based imitator I have at hand).
I have two casement windows which trap LOTS of moths when I leave the windows open, because the screens are on the inside, so when I close the window at night they have nowhere to go.
Gotcha. On a random note, ever since you mentioned casement windows on that other post, I’ve been thinking about incorporating them if I ever get the chance.
Yep, Windex all the way here too.
Did you ever find out why it’s called Fish Foam?
Yes thats what I’d like to know too does it smell fishy? how potent is it if it does. I use the green works glass cleaner works good. For outside windows not sure but indoors its okay.
I checked the ingredients, and it doesn’t have any fish listed. I also checked their site and I have no idea why it’s called Fish Foam. Either way- no fishy smell but you should still use it in a well ventilated space.
Windex has always been the best glass cleaner I’ve used. Mirrors, shower doors, and car windows all have that streak free shine.
Ethan,
Thank you for testing our product and the positive review on windows and mirrors. Shower doors present the biggest challenge for any glass cleaner and Fish Foam is no exception, when there is soap build up. We recommend cleaning shower doors on a more frequent basis to eliminate streaking.
Market wise, Fish Foam is positioned as a premium and professional glass cleaner and it does have a higher price point than Windex. In the window cleaning industry, thousands of professional window cleaners use the product on a regular basis nationwide for residential work and touch up, but our production capabilities can’t match Windex and Walmart.
The name Fish Foam comes from its parent company Fish Window Cleaning which has over 200 locations nationwide. The name Fish references the Christian symbol.
I enjoy reading your site. Regards,
Nathan Merrick
Vice President of Franchise Development
Hey Nathan,
Thanks for the additional info about your product and giving us a chance to try it out.
Give small companies a chance is what I say. Thanks
I have to admit that based on name alone (and before I read this review) that I would have passed by the product on store shelves. I (like many others) would have wondered if it was made from fish bits and would have a fishy odor.
LOL I’m happy you’re animal friendly Ethan. 😉
Though I like the idea of the foam I think I too will stick with good old Windex and save some money for other goodies.
would this work like shaving cream in keeping the mirror from steaming?