10 Mirror Cleaning Tips for a Spotless and Streak-free Mirror

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If you put in the effort to keep your bathroom looking spick and span, these mirror cleaning hacks will save you the dingy reflection of a dirty mirror. The same goes for any room in your house. Mirrors are a great way to make rooms feel more spacious and illuminated, but they can have the opposite effect if they aren’t clean and streak-free. 

In this article, we will share some mirror-cleaning hacks to help you see your bathroom and other areas of your home in the perfect light. Learn from the pros at Upstairs Downstairs deep-cleaning service!

How Often Should You Be Cleaning Your Mirror?

Bathroom mirrors can usually benefit from a weekly cleaning, while other mirrors in your house or apartment will depend on their location and the amount of traffic in the area. A quick clean every month is a good minimum. 

Best Cleaners to Use on Glass or a Mirror

Store-bought window cleaners like Windex use special formulas to get glass surfaces squeaky clean without streaks or residue. Since most commercial mirrors have a glass surface, these products work great for the bathroom, vanity, or statement mirrors in your home. 

Before Cleaning Your Mirror…

Before you start spraying product on your mirror, expecting to wipe it clean, you’ll want to go over it with a dry cloth to remove any excess dust or moisture clinging on. Sprays and liquid cleaners tend to cause dust particles to stick, which can actually make cleaning your mirror harder. 

Wipe Down With Dry Microfiber Cloth

A quick pass with a lint-free cloth is all you need to remove that layer of dust, preferably when the mirror is dry (not fogged up from a recent shower). Removing that dust while it is dry will save you the frustration of lint and build-up after you add your cleaning solution. 

Mirror Cleaning Hacks

While you can use a store-bought glass or mirror cleaner with a commercial cloth, there are plenty of age-old alternatives to achieve a streak-free shine on mirrors. Here are some simple tricks used by the pros and supplies you can use from around your home.

DIY Cleaning Solution

For an easy and effective way to keep mirrors clean with common household ingredients, mix even amounts of white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. If you don’t have vinegar, you can use dish soap mixed in the same quantity you would use for dishes. Both will help remove oily fingerprint marks and toothpaste spatter while giving the mirror a streak-free shine for less than the cost of a cleaning service or commercial product. 

Paper Coffee Filters

Coffee filters are an age-old hack for streak-free mirrors. The composition of the paper is absorbent but also allows water to pass through instead of building up along the edges. The result is evenly distributed moisture and a streak-free mirror, no matter what mirror cleaning solution you use. 

Newspaper

Newspaper is another good alternative to paper towels or cheap cloths. It is made of tough paper that won’t fall apart or leave lint behind, even when wet. Newspaper is also absorbent enough to wick up excess cleaning liquid to avoid streaky mirrors.

Blackboard Erasers for Streaks

Blackboard erasers allow you to apply even pressure to a smooth surface to ensure there are no streaks. Of course, you want to use a clean eraser to not deposit any dust or dirt on the mirror. Consider buying a cheap one to keep in the bathroom to remove pesky streaks on mirrors and windows.

Use Toothpaste

Most kinds of toothpaste are mildly abrasive, which can help lift pesky spots off of mirrored surfaces. Simply apply a thin coating to troublesome areas, leave for a few minutes, then wipe away. This is especially useful for toothpaste spatter that has dried on and isn’t wiping off with other products. 

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a reactive compound that can help remove some tricky stains. As a bonus, it disinfects and evaporates quickly for fewer streaks. Simply spray a light coat on your mirror and let it do its magic for a few seconds before wiping clean. 

Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol can also be useful for breaking down water spots and streaks. For particularly stubborn spots, soak a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and tape it to the affected area for a couple of hours. Then just remove the cotton ball and wipe the area clean with a wet rag. 

Ammonia

Ammonia can also be used to clean, thanks to its corrosive properties; just be careful not to overdo it. A 2% ammonia-to-water ratio will help remove oils and stains on glass and mirrors. Simply dilute it in water, apply it to the mirror, and wipe it clean. 

Lemon Juice

The acidic qualities of lemon juice can break down all sorts of substances for easy cleaning. It also leaves behind a fresh smell. Add lemon juice to homemade cleaning solutions for a little extra cleaning power and a pleasant scent. 

Vinegar

Vinegar is a natural compound with reactive properties that make it great for homemade cleaners. Mix one part vinegar with six parts water for a safe and simple cleaning solution. Anti-fungal properties make vinegar a great choice for humid bathrooms.

What to Avoid When Cleaning Mirrors

For clean mirrors that don’t show signs of fogginess or streaks, do not attempt to clean bathroom mirrors after a shower when they are still wet. Avoid excess moisture from shower steam, overly damp cloths, or too much cleaning spray. This extra liquid tends to pool up along the edges of the mirrors and, when smeared across the glass surface, causes streaks. 

Excess moisture is also more likely to attract dust soon after you finish cleaning the mirror, reducing the time until you need to clean again. In other areas of the home, you also don’t want any drips on your walls, floor, or furniture. Use just enough cleaning solution to brighten up the mirror without soaking it. 

Also, avoid fragile or linty cloths like toilet paper, cheap paper towels, or worn rags. These have a tendency to leave lint and fibers behind, sticking to the damp mirror. 

Get Your House Cleaned By the Professionals!

The professionals at Upstairs Downstairs have the skills and experience to give you an immaculate house and spotless mirrors. Whether you are interested in a regular cleaning service or just some more pro tips, we know how to help you achieve the home of your dreams. From mirror cleaning hacks to home maintenance schedules and full-service housekeeping, the pros at Upstairs Downstairs are here to help!

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