Sometimes it's hard to realize how dirty your mirrors have been until you clean them thoroughly. Dust, fingerprints, and water stains obscure the mirror surface, making it difficult to see a clear image, according to Martha Stewart.
How to clean a mirror at home
To clean a mirror at home, you will need the following items:
- a microfiber cloth
- white vinegar;
- water (preferably distilled);
- cotton swabs and disks;
- rubbing alcohol;
- dishwashing detergent.
After all these things are prepared, follow these steps to clean the mirror.
Prepare the mirror for cleaning
Your mirror likely has dust particles on it. You need to wipe them off with a clean cloth before wetting the glass to avoid smearing the surface.
After that, you can remove any remaining dust, water droplets, or toothpaste stains with a cotton pad dipped in rubbing alcohol.
Clean the frame before cleaning the glass
If your mirror has a frame, you should also clean it. The method you use will depend on what material the frame is made of.
For wooden frames, it is recommended to use a vacuum cleaner with a suitable nozzle. For metal or composite material, you can spray a little cleaning agent on a soft microfiber cloth and wipe the frame.
Make your own cleaning solution
While there are many cleaning products available, making your own solution is also an effective way to get a clean, streak-free mirror.
To do this, mix one part white vinegar with four parts warm water in a bowl or bucket, adding a tiny drop of laundry soap if your mirror is very dirty.
Then pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray the mirror with it.
Avoid streaks when cleaning the mirror
After spraying the mixture on the mirror, it is recommended to use a microfiber cloth, coffee filter or even newspaper and wipe the glass with wide horizontal movements from edge to edge, from top to bottom.
Try to swipe with the same edge of the cloth to capture dirt or debris without smearing it on the glass.
In addition, do not wipe the mirror in a circular motion to clean the mirror - this is a common mistake that leads to the spread of dirt and streaks.
How else to clean a hazy mirror
Hazy mirrors are usually the result of the accumulation of natural dirt. To remedy this, it is advised to start by moistening a cotton ball or pad with rubbing alcohol and wiping particularly cloudy or hazy areas.
After that, you should spray a mixture of one part white vinegar and four parts warm water. If there is significant dirt, you can leave the solution on for 10 minutes. To remove the liquid, wipe the mirror with a microfiber cloth or cotton newspaper.
