The invention discloses an environment-friendly water-based cleaning solution for a glass substrate and a method for cleaning the glass substrate. The cleaning solution comprises the following components in percentage by mass: 1%-5% of inorganic alkaline substances, 10%-25% of alcohol ether, 5%-15% of anionic surfactant, 1%-3% of dimeric surfactant, 0.1%-1% of defoaming agent and the balance of water. The environment-friendly water-based cleaning solution for the glass substrate, provided by the invention, is prepared from materials pollution-free to the environment, is not only capable of effectively removing fingerprints, dust, glass powder, grease and other organic or inorganic solid particles on the surface of the glass substrate, but also contains no NP and OP surfactants, so that theenvironment is effectively protected. Meanwhile, the method for cleaning the glass substrate by using the cleaning solution disclosed by the invention is simple, low in cleaning solution consumptionand good in cleaning effect.