If you find yourself looking into your mirror and having trouble seeing your reflection through water spots, streaks, or smudges it might be time to clean it. You can have your entire bathroom spotless, but that one dirty mirror can make the whole thing look filthy! That’s why it’s important to learn how to clean a mirror the right way.
You could reach for your favorite glass cleaner and a standard cloth, but that’s not going to give you the best results every time. If you want to keep that mirror spotless follow the steps below.
1. Tackle the Grime
The mirror is the centerpiece of most bathrooms so, unfortunately, they collect the most unwanted grime. From toothpaste, coats of hairspray, hair gel, fingerprints, you name it, it’s probably been on a mirror. While you might be tempted to grab your favorite window cleaner, not properly tackling those built-up areas is the leading cause of streaks. That’s because when you go to wipe down the rest of the mirror with a clean cloth, the greasy or oily residue spreads across the surface of the glass with each fateful scrub.
Fortunately, an easy solution is lurking within your medicine cabinet, rubbing alcohol. That’s right, just wet a cotton pad with it and scrub away at those problem areas before cleaning. This pre-treatment will save you from pulling your hair out when spots turn into streaks.
2. Create a Simple DIY Mirror Cleaning Solution
Surprisingly, the best solution for mirror streaks is equal parts vinegar and water. Yeah, store-bought cleaners might offer an all-in-one answer, but the cost can add up quickly and why introduce unnecessary chemicals into your home. Plus, these cleaners tend to include more soap than is needed, and more soap often leads to more streaks.
To keep your mirror clean and cloud-free, simply mix 1 cup of vinegar with 1 cup of water (preferable distilled) in a spray bottle. Give it a nice shake and you’ll have the perfect concoction for taking to task any smark, streak, or smudge that dares to stand in your way. Apply your new mirror masterpiece directly onto a microfiber cloth instead of the glass itself to prevent any liquid from pilling up in the corners and then make a zig-zag motion back and forth down the entire length of the glass.
3. Don’t Forget Your Microfiber Cloth
You may be tempted to reach for a roll of paper towels when going to clean your mirror. Don’t! They could easily complicate your cleaning by leaving behind lint, dust, or even paper towel residue. So put down the paper products, and stock your cleaning tool chest with a few high-quality microfiber cloths. These might be your closest ally in your quest to defeat those pesky streaks.
Just remember, if you choose the right tools and methods the first time you won’t be having to go back time and time again to repeat the same task. Save yourself a headache and ditch the glass cleaner and paper products for this tried and tested DIY method.
