How to Clean a Mirror Efficiently [Detailed Guide]

Published by Hala Zaqqout on May 8, 2022 | Last updated on May 15, 2023

Take a look around your house. Whether you have a bathroom mirror, a bedroom mirror, a wall mirror, a car mirror, or a hallway mirror, if you notice water spots, streaks, or smudges, it’s time to clean it. But how to clean a mirror?

However, a dirty mirror is unattractive since it is full of streaks, dust, greasy fingers, and stains. Fortunately, you can have gleaming mirrors and spotless decorative frames with a few simple tools and products that you probably already have on hand.

In this Cleaners Advisor guide, we’ve made an effort to give you everything you need about how to clean a mirror and what steps you should follow when cleaning your mirror.

So, let’s get right to it then. You’ll also find a few tips to keep in mind while cleaning a mirror to keep it shining. In the end, you’ll get the desired results: a shiny streak-free mirror!

Table of Contents

How Often to Clean Mirrors?

Decorative mirrors should be accumulated weekly with a lint-free duster and completely cleaned at least once a month to remove the pollutants that settle on the surface.

While bathroom mirrors often need daily attention to keep them clean from water, toothpaste, and beauty product splatters. Vehicle mirrors should be cleaned at least twice a month for better visibility.

How to Clean a Mirror in 4 Simple Steps?

Tools and Materials Needed:

AT HT Clean Mirrors materials — Courtesy of “apartmenttherapy.com”

Flatweave Microfiber Cloth
Isopropyl (Rubbing) Alcohol
Cotton balls or Cosmetic Pads
Distilled White Vinegar
Water
Spray Bottle
Soft Paintbrush
Microfiber or Disposable Duster
Sturdy Step Stool
Commercial Glass Cleaner (Optional)

If you’re looking for how to clean a mirror, follow the steps below:

1. Create a Cleaning Solution

Believe it or not, the best way to clean mirror streaks is a solution—vinegar and water one, that is.

Simply combine 1 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of distilled water in a spray bottle, shake well, and you’ll have the perfect potion for removing smears, streaks, and smudges.

2. Clean Away Tough Residue

Remove dried-on residue like toothpaste and splatters from beauty products before doing a comprehensive cleaning of the mirror. Using isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, dampen a cotton ball or cotton cosmetic pad. Scrub the residue gently to remove it and then wipe it away.

Hair spray residue can easily be removed from the glass with alcohol. Taking a few minutes each day to remove visible residue will make weekly cleaning much easier and faster.

3. Start at the Top

Always start cleaning at the top of the mirror, whether you’re using a commercial glass cleaner or a vinegar/water solution. To avoid falling, use a sturdy step stool if you can’t reach the top of the mirror.

A small mist of the cleaner should be sprayed near the top of the mirror. Make quarters or a hand-sized packet out of your microfiber cloth. This will give you several sides to use while cleaning. Move to a clean side, if needed, if the mirror is exceptionally dirty.

4. Check for Streaks

The mirror should be dry by the time you finish cleaning if you did not use too much cleaning solution. Take a step to the side and look for any streaks in the finish.

If you notice any spots, rub the mirror with a clean, dry microfiber cloth.

Watch this video showing you how to clean a mirror perfectly without leaving streaks!

How to Clean Decorative Mirror Frames?

You know now how to clean a mirror if you follow the easy steps above but it’s a little more difficult to clean the frames around mirrors than it is to clean the glass itself.

The acidic nature of homemade and commercial mirror cleaners can damage many frames, especially antique gilded wood. As part of the cleaning process, pay special attention to any frames that surround a mirror.

1. Avoid Overspray

Because acidic cleansers can harm the wood and some metals, it’s important to prevent overspray on the frames’ surfaces. Spray a mist of cleaning onto a microfiber cloth instead of directly onto the mirror.

2. Clean from the Top

Start cleaning at the top of the mirror with the cleaner-dampened microfiber towel. Pay special attention to the corners to ensure that they are clean.

3. Dust the Frame

Dust the frame with a dry microfiber cloth or a disposable duster. Use a sturdy step stool if you can’t reach the top of the frame. A new, soft paintbrush is particularly helpful in dusting intricately carved frames.

4. Check the Frame for Stains

Check the frame for any stains or spatters that need to be cleaned. Use no chemicals or abrasive cleaners if you see an area that needs cleaning. In plain water, soak a microfiber cloth. Gently wash away the soil from the mirror frame by wringing until only slightly damp.

5. Check for Streaks

When you’re done dusting the frame, take a step to the side and look in the mirror for any streaks. If any residue remains in the corners, buff the mirror with a dry microfiber cloth for a final polish.

How to Prevent a Foggy Bathroom Mirror?

discover how to prevent the bathroom mirrors from soaking up — Courtesy of “decortips.com”

While the steps above will help you clean your bathroom mirror, we’ve created a process that will help you clean it while also preventing it from fogging up after you take a shower:

1. In a spray bottle, combine one cup water, one cup vinegar, and a teaspoon of dish soap. To mix them, lightly shake the ingredients.

2. Apply the solution on the mirror directly and wait a few seconds.

3. Use a microfiber cloth or newspaper to wipe the spray from the mirror.

4. Enjoy the benefit of your glass not fogging up for a few days. Repeat he process as necessary.

Some Tips to Keep Your Mirror Shining

Now that you know how to clean mirrors properly, let’s take a look at some of the ‘don’ts’ to keep your mirror glamorous:

1. Expired products and cleaning solutions that have been stored for more than a month should be avoided because they tend to make the glass cloudy.

2. Although newspapers used to be a good cleaning tool, the quality of ink used today does not give the same result as it did in the past, so avoid them.

3. Avoid cleaning solutions that create suds on the mirror as this will lead to streaks on the glass.

4. Never use a cleaning agent on the mirror until all dust, grime, and stains have been removed. Any other method will merely add to your work.

5. Avoid touching the mirror with your fingers or hands as much as possible, as this can leave unsightly scratches and smears on the surface.

6. Don’t spray too much cleaner on the mirror. This not only results in drips, but it also adds to your workload. When it comes to a streak-free shine, remember that little is more.

7. Don’t use a paper towel because it leaves behind small pieces of residue, making the mirror look dusty. Instead, use a clean, dry flat weave microfiber cloth in which dust and dirt get caught in the tiny fibers and won’t get redistributed back onto the mirror.

How to Clean a Mirror FAQ

Can you clean a mirror with cold water only?

Yes, but it is not a particularly efficient option. Using cold water and an absorbent cloth can help you to clean away fog and streaks from your mirror, but it will not help with stains or marks on it.

How do you clean a mirror with toothpaste?

There are five simple steps for how to clean mirror with toothpaste. Firstly, squeeze a small amount of toothpaste onto a clean cloth. Wipe the surface of the mirror with the cloth evenly.
Allow this to sit for 30 minutes. Using a damp cloth, ‘rinse’ the surface of your mirror. Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe the surface of the mirror once more to dry it.

How do you remove oil from a mirror?

In just four easy steps we’ll show you how to remove oil from mirrors. First, fill a spray bottle with white vinegar. Next, spray the mirror surface fully. Then, fold a paper towel and use it to wipe the mirror dry. Finally, wipe over the surface once more to remove any lingering oily marks.

To Wrap Up

We, at Cleaners Advisor, have provided you with 4 east steps of how to clean a mirror fast and efficiently.

With these steps, you’ll never have to worry about streaks or gunk on your mirrors again! All you need to do is to choose the best materials—and methods—to ensure that the task is completed correctly the first time.

If you still have any questions on how to clean a mirror? You can leave us a comment below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!