Mirrors

Household mirrors, specifically bathroom mirrors, are subjected to a substantial amount of grime such as toothpaste, hairspray, fingerprints, fog and spit. Thus, they need to be cleaned frequently. They are sometimes difficult and frustrating to clean, as they may still have specks, streaks, and dirt even after cleaning. There are a few methods, however, that can help leave a mirror streak-free and looking brand new until its time to be cleaned again.

How To

Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary tools and resources nearby. You will need an old newspaper, foam shaving cream, a soft cloth and white vinegar. Start by pre-cleaning the mirror. Wipe it with a soft cloth to remove dirt and dust. Now you are ready to begin. You will want to use water and newspaper to ensure the mirror is streak-free. Crumple up the newspaper into reasonably sized pieces and dip it into the water. Then, rub in a slow circular motion across the mirror. You can also use a mixture of 1-c. distilled or white vinegar and 1-qt. warm water as opposed to just water. Once you have covered the entire mirror with the solution, go over the wet area again, this time using a dry newspaper, to prevent drip marks. If streaks still remain, repeat these last two steps until they disappear. You can also use a squeegee instead of dry newspaper if you have one at your disposal. There is a trick you can use to help defog your mirror; before you take a shower or bath, spread a thin coating of foam shaving cream on your mirror, covering the entire surface. After you have finished in the shower or bath, wipe off the shaving cream with a paper towel; this will keep your mirror de-fogged for up to 3 weeks. Anti-fog wipes, typically used for car windshields, can be used to de-fog a mirror, as can using a hairdryer on the mirror.

Tips & Takeaways

You may want to use a mixture of 1-c. distilled white vinegar and 1-qt. warm water to clean your mirror. Heinz offers a brand of distilled white vinegar, which can be found at any local grocery store for a fraction of the cost of chemical based cleaning products. For the anti-fog wipes, they can be purchased on Amazon for a relatively low price.

To prevent damage to your mirror, avoid using chemical cleaners with alkali, acid, or ammonia, as they are far too abrasive for the mirror. Try to keep liquid away from the edges of the mirror, since it can cause “black edge”, which will damage the backing of the mirror. Immediately wipe up any liquid that gets on these edges. If there are several wall-mounted mirrors placed next to each other, clean each mirror separately – do not clean across their joints, since liquid can amass in these areas and cause harm to the mirror. Be sure to never spray the cleaner or vinegar solution directly onto the mirror. Finally, keep the area you are working in (the bathroom most likely) well ventilated, as the combination of the vinegar and newspapers can produce a strong odor. Keep the door open and turn the overhead fan on.