There is nothing like looking at a grime-free, shining, shimmering mirror in the morning when you are getting ready for the day.
The problem is bathroom mirrors are difficult to keep clean, especially with a lot of things working against you, like water spots, fingerprints, and toothpaste specks.
Thankfully, cleaning a mirror is easier than you think.
To help you out, we have put together the steps on how to clean bathroom mirrors, along with some tips and suggestions for a streak-free mirror.
How To Clean Bathroom Mirror in Easy Steps
To start, gather the materials and supplies you need to clean your mirror.
You will most likely have these items readily available at home. If you don’t, you can easily find them in big box stores or online.
Here are the things you need:
- A bucket
- Cotton pad
- Water
- Rubbing alcohol
- White vinegar
- Cleaning rag (Use a soft microfiber cloth that doesn’t leave lint.)
Once you have these items ready, follow the steps below on how to clean bathroom mirrors.
Step 1: Use Rubbing Alcohol for Gunky Spots
Mirrors are most prone to stubborn spots like globs of toothpaste, smeared-on fingerprints, and coats of hairspray.
Unfortunately, not treating these spots early on can lead to streaks.
Before you wipe the rest of the mirror, make sure to tackle the visible spots first. If you don’t, you will just spread the oily, greasy residue all over your mirror.
Luckily, gunky buildups are easy to address; all you need are some cotton pads and rubbing alcohol.
Put a small amount of alcohol on a cotton pad and buff out any of the disgusting stuff on your mirror.
Remove trouble spots one at a time to prevent the grease or grime from spreading. Make sure to rub the spot as quickly as you can because rubbing alcohol evaporates quickly.
Step 2: Use a Vinegar Solution To Clean the Mirror Surfaces
While you can use a pre-made window cleaner, white vinegar is just as effective in restoring the shine and clarity of your mirror.
What’s more, it is inexpensive and safe to use.
Most commercial cleaners contain more soap than what is necessary, so they tend to produce more streaks and are less ideal for cleaning mirrors.
A vinegar-based cleaning solution is perfect for tackling streaks, smears, and smudges. You can even use it to clean toilet seats and sinks.
To make a white vinegar cleaning solution, simply dilute one part of vinegar in four parts of hot water. That said, you need one cup of vinegar for every four cups of water.
Mix the solution thoroughly before transferring it to a spray bottle.
You can use tap water, but distilled water is the better option, as it will prevent minerals from leaving deposits on your mirror.
How To Clean Mirrors With Vinegar:
Step 1: Spray the surface of your mirror with a light layer of water-vinegar solution.
Avoid spraying too much, as it would cause the solution to drip off your mirror. If this happens, the liquid will make its way underneath the mirror and cause damage.
Step 2: Using a high-quality, flat-weave microfiber cloth, wipe down the entire surface of your mirror.
Start at the top left corner and slide the cloth across the top right corner and then back again until you make your way down to the bottom.
Alternatively, you can apply the mixture directly to your microfiber cloth and wipe the surface in a zigzag motion until all the surfaces have been cleaned.
By cleaning the mirror from top to bottom, you can avoid the appearance of drip marks.
Step 3: Pay attention to the crevices, cracks, and contours in your mirror, as these are the places where dirt and grime accumulate.
Step 4: Clean angled marks or deep corners with a cotton swab or toothbrush.
Although mixing equal parts of water and vinegar will work, sometimes you need a more effective solution to get rid of rough spots.
For stubborn stains and water spots, mix the following to create a more powerful cleaning solution:
- A quarter cup of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- A quarter cup of rubbing alcohol
- Eight to 10 drops of essential oil, such as orange, mint, or lavender
- One tablespoon of cornstarch
You can also use a mixture of detergent, vinegar, and lemon juice. The lemon juice will help deodorize your mirror and keep the entire bathroom smelling fresh.
Be careful not to put too much detergent into the mixture because too much of it can leave streaks on the surface.
While this method deals with water spots really well, what about black spots? Black spots are usually caused by moisture reaching the back of the mirror and causing damage.
Sadly, there is no way to remove them. The only solution is to paint a new finish or cover the spots.
Step 3: Check for Missed Spots
Change your viewing angle to check for any glob or streak you may have missed. Then, spot clean that area with a cotton pad and rubbing alcohol.
For the final step, dry and buff the surface with a clean microfiber cloth.
Alternatives
If you find this cleaning method too time-consuming or taxing, here are other ways to clean a bathroom mirror:
Using a Squeegee
Another method of cleaning a mirror is to use a squeegee. If you want to try this approach, follow these steps:
Step 1: Moist the surface properly. Lightly spray your mirror with a glass cleaner or your vinegar-water solution.
Step 2: Wipe it down. Use a squeegee to clean your mirror just like you would a glass window.
Step 3: Finish up with a microfiber towel. After cleaning the surface with a squeegee, wipe down any remaining drops of the cleaning solution using a lint-free cloth.
Again, avoid using paper towels or newspapers, as they can leave lint or ink marks on your mirror.
You’re most likely to get a sparkling clean mirror by following these steps.
However, if you still find any stain or streak, apply a bit more cleaning solution to the area and rub it with a microfiber cloth to get rid of the mark.
Washing Liquid
You can use a washing liquid o get rid of oily stains, but make sure to dilute it with warm water first.
For this method, you can use a sponge to clean your bathroom mirror.
Wipe the surface in a circular motion to prevent smears, and rinse the sponge regularly to get rid of excess moisture.
Dos and Don’ts When Cleaning Bathroom Mirrors
Here are some important reminders when cleaning mirrors:
1. Wipe it daily.
Give your bathroom mirror (Amazon Link) a daily wipe to prevent grease and dirt build-up.
Before you start your morning routine, get a lint-free microfiber cloth and wipe down your mirror.
2. Don’t use old cleaners.
Do not use expired cleaning products or those that have been stored for more than a month, as they tend to leave the glass hazy.
3. Don’t use newspapers.
Again, avoid using paper towels or newspapers to clean your mirror. Contrary to popular belief, these items don’t make effective glass cleaners.
In fact, they can even complicate the cleaning process by leaving lint, dust, or even newsprint residue on your mirror.
Although newspapers were once a favorable glass cleaning tool, the ink used in today’s newspapers tends to smudge and stain mirrors.
Save the paper products for spills, and stock on a few high-quality microfiber cloths instead.
That said, make sure to choose the thin ones because they won’t hold any lint or particles that could transfer to your mirror.
4. Tackle the tough spots first.
Never apply a cleaning solution to the mirror until you have thoroughly removed dust, debris, or stains.
As much as possible, avoid touching the mirror with your hands or fingers to prevent unsightly marks and smears on the surface.
5. Use vinegar cleaner whenever possible.
Another benefit of using a vinegar-water mixture to clean your bathroom mirror is that it prevents the mirror from steaming up for about a week.
For best results, spray a light layer of the mixture directly on the mirror and let it sit for about a minute before wiping it off.
Avoid spraying near the sides to prevent the solution from seeping into the crevices and underneath the surface.
6. Avoid using all-purpose cleaners.
They may be great for countertops and floors but not so much for mirrors. That’s because most all-purpose cleaners contain oils that will leave unwanted streaks on your mirror.
7. Use a toothbrush to clean the corners.
A lot of dirt and debris accumulate in the corners of your mirror. Fortunately, you only need an old toothbrush for this.
Pour a small amount of alcohol and then rub the dirt off the corners.
Clean, Streak-Free Mirror
A clean mirror is such a delight to look at. Luckily, you only need a few things to keep your bathroom mirror sparkling and spotless.
Give it a wipe every day using a lint-free cloth and some thorough cleaning once in a while to get rid of tough spots, streaks, and fog.
Of course, it would also help to use good-quality mirrors made to last a long time and withstand everyday wear and tear.
For the best shower glass cleaner reviews then check out this article.
