How to Clean a Mirror

Mirrors are everywhere, reflected in each and every one of our eyes as we go through life. While most people completely ignore the fact that these reflective surfaces retain much about the world around us, there are those with a deeper appreciation for just how amazing a mirror really is and just how easy it can be to clean one.

Cleaning mirrors is a task most of us hate to do. It takes a lot of hard work and many hours of scrubbing until you achieve the results that you want. But you are about to find out how to clean a mirror in just a few easy steps.

Wipe off the surface dirt

  • Wipe the mirror with a soft cloth to remove any surface dust or dirt. The mirror can be cleaned with water, but if it’s too dirty or grimy, use a mild detergent instead.
  • Use a microfiber cloth to avoid leaving behind lint or streaks on the glass. Rinse it thoroughly and wring it out before wiping again.
  • Clean all surfaces of the mirror, including the edges and back of the frame. If you’re cleaning a large mirror, use a ladder to reach the top section so you don’t have to climb on chairs or furniture.
  • Scrub away any hard-to-remove stains with a cleaning solution made for glass surfaces, such as Windex or another ammonia-based cleaner (don’t use these products on antique mirrors).
  • Follow the directions on the bottle carefully before applying any chemicals to your mirror surface, especially if you’re using ammonia-based products that can etch away at some types of glass over time.

Add vinegar, ammonia, or dish soap to your water

Add vinegar, ammonia or dish soap to your water. Vinegar is an acidic liquid that can remove many types of dirt from a mirror without damaging it. Ammonia is even stronger than vinegar and will remove more difficult stains, but it may damage some materials over time if left on them for too long. Dish soap contains lye, which helps break down tough stains and lift them off the surface of the glass.

Vinegar works well for cleaning many types of surfaces in your home because it has antibacterial properties and doesn’t leave behind streaks like ammonia does. You’ll need one part white vinegar and three parts water for this method. Mix up a small batch of this solution in a spray bottle or bucket before getting started so that you don’t waste any time mixing more if it starts to run low while cleaning your mirror

Dip a soft cloth into the solution then wring it out until it’s damp

If your mirror is clean, it can make a room look brighter and larger. But if it’s dirty, it can make the room look dingy and small. If you’re looking for ways to brighten up your home, start with mirrors.

Here are some tips for cleaning a mirror:

  • Use a soft cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol to remove any dirt or grime from the mirror. You can also use vinegar or water with a little bit of ammonia added to it if needed. Wipe the mirror dry with a dry cloth after cleaning.
  • To get rid of fingerprints, use a solution made from equal parts vinegar and water or equal part water and lemon juice on a soft cloth.
  • If there are hard-to-remove stains on your mirror, try using baking soda mixed with water and rubbed over the stain using an old toothbrush or soft cloth until it’s completely gone?

Start at the top and work your way down

  • Cleaning a mirror can be simple and effective. The first step is to make sure your mirror is clean and free of fingerprints, dust and other debris.
  • Start at the top and work your way down. You can use a microfiber cloth or lint-free rag if needed. This will prevent you from accidentally smudging anything while cleaning.
  • If you have a large mirror that needs a deep clean, use a special cleaner designed for mirrors. This will help remove hard water stains and other buildup without damaging your mirror frame or glass.
  • If you have fingerprints on your mirror, vinegar can be used to remove them. Mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle or squirt bottle and lightly mist over the fingerprints until they disappear. After cleaning off any residue, rinse with warm water before drying with a microfiber cloth or lint-free rag

Alcohol

Alcohol is one of the most important ingredients for cleaning mirrors. You can use it in its pure form or mixed with water for better results. The concentration of alcohol used in this process depends on the type of stain that needs to be removed from your mirror. If you want to remove lime scale from your mirror, then use pure alcohol because it will be more effective in this case. However, if you have grease stains on your mirror, then mix some water with it so that it becomes less strong but still strong enough to remove dirt from your mirror’s surface.

Dry the mirror

  • Use a dry cloth to wipe the mirror clean. If there are streaks, use a little rubbing alcohol on a dry cloth to remove them.
  • If you need to get rid of those water spots, fill a spray bottle with distilled water (not tap water) and use it to gently mist your mirror.
  • Then use paper towels or a microfiber cloth to gently wipe away any residue that remains. This is also going to be the best way to clean mirrors if you have hard water stains or mineral deposits.

Conclusion

Mirrors come clean easily and cheaply, making this a very low-cost way to make home improvements. You can use any of the options listed above or mix and match what you have on hand. I used to use Windex on my mirrors regularly, but I’ve switched to Soft Suds over the past couple of years for a more environmentally friendly option that still works just as well.