What makes newspapers great for cleaning windows? See detail.

No lint.

Texture. It’s not gritty like sandpaper, which would scratch windows. But it’s not soft and wimpy and prone to fall part, like paper towels.

No lint

For me mainly because after reading it’s a free window cleaner.

I don’t like it because the ink comes off on my hands. I remember when I was young they used a different kind of ink on the newspapers. I think the story about newspapers being good for washing windows came from that time. These days other than tradition, there are other methods of cleaning windows that are far superior.

I agree with @snowberry. Same with newspaper as receptacle for fish & chips. I know it’s tradition, but the idea of ink mixing with hot oil mixing with food is just gross.

Of course, I haven’t bought a physical newspaper in about 25 years, so there’s that.

Why wouldn’t the glass become slightly darker though?