We’ve all cleaned a mirror at some point in our lives. And we all know just how difficult it can be to get rid of the streaks:
In fact, streaky mirrors are a common problem. No matter how carefully you clean the mirror, you will still be left with some impressions of where you last wiped.
So, how do you get a streak-free, sparkling-clean mirror? Here are five amazing tips that can help you perfect how to clean a mirror:
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1. Use rubbing alcohol
Mirrors often attract blobs of toothpaste, smeared-on fingerprints, and coats of hairspray. Other toiletries also find their way onto our mirrors, which leaves us wondering how to clean a mirror in the best and most efficient way?
Many people think that using a simple spray will remove all these spots, but not paying proper attention to these spots are the number one reason for streaks. This happens when you start wiping down the mirror with a solution-sprayed cloth, but the oily or greasy residues spread across the surface of the mirror every time you sweep the cloth across.
An easy solution to this is to use rubbing alcohol. This is something that is found in everyone’s home. Simply wet a cotton pad with a little bit of rubbing alcohol and dab away at these problem spots before you start cleaning the entire mirror.
Pre-treating these problem spots beforehand prevents the appearance of stubborn streaks, giving you a sparkling clean mirror. If you want to go the extra mile and deep clean your mirror, use a toothbrush. Dip the toothbrush in some rubbing alcohol and scrub the dusty corners of the mirror.
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2. Use vinegar
If you’re still wondering how to clean a mirror, one of the best ways to get rid of stubborn mirror streaks is to use a solution of vinegar and water. While store-bought cleaners are also effective, the cleaning power, and of course, the cost-efficiency of this simple homemade mixture is unbeatable.
Furthermore, store-bought cleaners often tend to include more soap than what is required. More soap is also one of the leading reasons why the streaks keep reappearing on the mirror despite cleaning and wiping.
Mix one cup of vinegar with one cup of distilled water in a spray bottle. Give it a shake to mix it up, and you have the perfect solution for tacking any smudges, streaks, and smears on your mirror.
You can now apply this mirror cleaning solution directly to the cleaning cloth instead of the surface of the mirror to prevent the liquid from accumulating in the corners. Simply wipe down the surface of the mirror.
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3. Use a microfiber cloth
There is a popular belief amongst people, that using newspapers and paper towels is the most effective way of cleaning glass. However, using these materials can actually make your cleaning more difficult by leaving behind dust, lint, or newsprint residue.
It is best to keep a couple of high-quality microfiber towels to get rid of the stubborn streaks on the mirror. However, it is better to purchase a thin microfiber cloth. Having a flat weave microfiber cloth will clean the mirror more efficiently than the thicker terrycloth. This is because the thin microfiber cloth won’t hold onto any particles, like lint, which could get transferred to the mirror, causing streaks.
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4. Use warm water
If you find that your mirror is too dirty, then warm water can come to your rescue. However, this doesn’t mean that you won’t need a cleaning solution. Apart from the warm water, keep your cleaning solution and microfiber cloth handy. Now dip the microfiber in the warm water and rub your mirror with the cloth. Use circular motions while cleaning the mirror.
Afterward, you can use a dry microfiber cloth to give it one final wipe down to remove any excess water and streaks.
Warm water is perfect for mixing with any commercial glass cleaner to clean a heavily stained mirror. Mix some warm water with any glass cleaning solution. Now spray this mixture on the entire mirror using a spray bottle and wipe it down using a microfiber cloth.
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5. Use lemon juice
If you’re asking how to clean a mirror with natural ingredients while keeping it streak-free, the answer is lemon. Take some warm water, add a teaspoon of detergent, four tablespoons of lemon juice, and half a cup of vinegar. Mix this solution well and put it in a spray bottle.
You can spray this solution directly onto the mirror or into your microfiber cloth to clean the mirror.
How to clean a mirror safely using our tips
We suggest trying each of these tips on how to clean a mirror, but not necessarily all at once. You might have some leftover cleaning supplies that you want to use up before creating your own at-home cleaning solution. As we mentioned, you can start with some of these hacks and then add in extra cleaning steps as needed. Soon you’ll never remember when you asked how to clean a mirror and get rid of those extra streaks.
