How to clean a mirror without leaving streaks

Someone demonstrating how to clean a mirror with a spray and cloth

(Paradigm credit: Shutterstock)

Asking how to make clean a mirror might seem similar a silly question — you just utilize a window cleaner, right? Actually, that's not the only way to practise it. Peradventure you've run out of window cleaner, or perhaps yous want to go rid of your chemical cleaners. In either example, there'south actually another method you can use and the practiced news is yous might already have what y'all demand.

It's very quick and easy to practise, and it's arguably as important equally knowing how to clean a glass shower door, or how to clean a shower head. You lot won't be resorting to the bleach either. However, if you often apply bleach, make sure yous don't make this mistake. And then, hither's how to clean a mirror without leaving streaks, smears or smudges.

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How to clean a mirror

Your mirror might be covered in all sorts of products, from stray toothpaste, to hairspray and fifty-fifty foundation.

What y'all'll need

Rubbing booze (optional)

Cotton pads/balls

White distilled vinegar

Water

Empty spray bottle

Microfiber cloths

Dish soap (optional)

If that'due south the instance, yous're going to want to tackle these start earlier you clean the whole mirror, otherwise y'all will just end up spreading and smearing. The answer is rubbing alcohol.

Utilise a few drops of rubbing alcohol to a cotton brawl, cotton pad or soft textile. Information technology's imperative that you lot use something soft, otherwise yous could end up scratching the mirror. Then gently dab at the balance until information technology dissipates. Try not to scrub your mirror — be patient and keep dabbing. Pretreating your mirror like this is worth doing as it makes the next step much easier.

A mirror being sprayed with vinegar and water solution — (Image credit: Hereafter)

Now your mirror is free of gunk, you can get to work on the smears. Simply combine one loving cup of white distilled vinegar (not malt, information technology will still work, merely y'all'll thank us for the difference in aroma) with one cup of water in an empty spray bottle. Nosotros advise opening a window or leaving the doors open to air the room earlier you begin to apply, as white vinegar still smells.

Milkshake to mix and then spray the solution onto your mirror. Don't spray too liberally at showtime as yous might not need it and don't desire to make a mess. Utilise your best judgement, simply if you're unsure, y'all can work between each spray to decide if you need more. To wipe the mirror, use a dry microfiber textile. Some recommend that you tin also use paper or rags, but in my experience, microfiber cloths are best as they don't leave lint and grit behind. If yous don't have whatsoever to hand, we recommend MR.SIGA Microfiber Cleaning Cloths ($xi.99, Amazon).

A mirror being wiped with a microfiber cloth — (Image credit: Future)

You desire to wipe in a side-to-side motion, non circular. A round movement will actually redeposit dust back onto the mirror, and then it'due south counterproductive. Make sure you work all the way to the edges and into the corners. Go along buffing and your mirror will look spotless in no fourth dimension. If you desire to check your work, walk effectually the mirror to see it from different angles. This will help you spot any rogue smears.

How to keep a mirror from fogging upwardly

If you're cleaning a bathroom mirror and you desire to stop it from fogging upwardly, at that place is a way. You just utilize a drop of cracking dish soap to a clean microfiber cloth (you won't need much) and and then wipe it all over your clean mirror. Apply a side-to-side motion again.

This volition await very smeary at first and takes quite a while to buff in, simply it works. Your mirror will no longer fog upwardly, and this lasts for a few weeks.

Two bathroom mirrors, one of which has steamed up and the other hasn't — (Image credit: Future)

Katie looks after everything homes-related, from kitchen appliances to gardening tools. She also covers smart abode products too, and so is the best betoken of contact for any household advice! She has tested and reviewed kitchen appliances for over six years, then she knows what to look for when finding the all-time. Her favorite affair to test has to be stand mixers as she loves to bake in her spare time.