How To Clean a Mirror for a Streak-free Finish
You’re standing in front of a dirty mirror — spray bottle and cleaning rag in hand. You’re ready to tackle the toothpaste and makeup splatters you see, but you aren’t sure if they’re the right tools for the dirty mirror facing you.
You ask yourself …
“Can I inhale this?”
“Will this clean, or just move the dust around?”
Luckily, several ways to clean a mirror aren’t harmful but will still provide a streak-free finish.
Keep reading because this article will teach you how to clean a mirror without Windex and will offer tips and techniques to leave your windows sparkling clean.
Table of Contents
What Is the Most Common Way To Clean Mirrors?
Commercial glass cleaners like Windex are the most common way to clean mirrors. They’re effective and do clean windows; however, they’re also full of chemicals.
There are serious health complications that can result from these cleaners, such as burning sensations in the throat and lungs and difficulty breathing.
In addition, due to the chemicals in these products, the respiratory tract can become inflamed and irritated, resulting in:
Bronchospasm (restricted breathing)
Chemical pneumonitis (inflammation of the lungs); and
Pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs)
Looking for a way to eliminate harmful chemicals from your cleaning routine? Let Tidy Up Portland! help. We are eco-friendly and green!
The health and safety of your family (even the four-legged kind) and the environment are important to us. When roughly cleaning your home, we only use natural, green cleaning supplies and limit our use of disposable products.
Our rates are affordable based on the size of your home and your specific cleaning needs. Please contact us today.
What Can I Use Instead of Windex?
Did you know household vinegar and rubbing alcohol are great alternatives to Windex and similar chemical-filled products? They can be combined with other household items to create Windex alternatives.
Check out these Windex alternatives you might have lying around your house.
White Vinegar
You may not believe it, but vinegar and water is the best solution to mirror streaks. Vinegar is nontoxic and eco-friendly, making it an excellent cleaning solution.
In addition, there is no comparison between this simple mixture's cleaning power and cost-efficiency and store-bought cleaners.
To clean with vinegar, combine one cup of vinegar with one cup of distilled water in a spray bottle and shake well. You now have the perfect solution to get rid of streaks and smudges. Pro tip: If you aren’t a fan of the scent, add a drop or two of essential oil.
When cleaning, instead of spraying your mixture directly to the mirror, spray to a microfiber cloth and zigzag back and forth across the entire mirror length.
Rubbing Alcohol
Mirrors are constantly attacked by globs of toothpaste and oily fingerprints.
While you might think that a simple spray removes all, not correctly treating these spots is the leading cause of streaks. When you wipe down the rest of the mirror with a clean or solution-sprayed cloth, the greasy or oily residue spreads with each sweeping motion across the glass.
You'll find an easy solution in your medicine cabinet: rubbing alcohol.
Before cleaning, dab away these problem areas with a cotton pad. When you treat the mirror before wiping, you prevent spots from turning into streaks.
Vinegar, Dish Soap, and Water
Dish soap, vinegar, and water make another great alternative to Windex. It has no harsh smell; it's easy to make and inexpensive.
To make this DIY glass cleaning solution, into a spray bottle, add three tablespoons of white vinegar and one-half teaspoon of dishwashing liquid to two cups of water. Mix well and spray and zig-zag away!
Another pro tip: Select a degreasing dish soap. This will help to break down any grease or buildup on the glass.
Be aware this mixture does contain dyes and artificial fragrances. However, it’s a much lower toxicity level than Windex.
Alcohol, Vinegar, Cornstarch, and Water
Still feel you need a little more “oomph” to your cleaning solution? Try adding a bit of cornstarch.
A mix of …
Rubbing alcohol
Vinegar
Cornstarch; and
Water
… makes a great Windex alternative.
This mixture is:
Non-toxic
Easy to make
Streak-free; and
Inexpensive
To make this solution, add one-half cup of rubbing alcohol and one-quarter cup of white vinegar into a spray bottle.
In a separate bowl, add two tablespoons of cornstarch into one cup of hot or warm water — and whisk until the cornstarch is dissolved. Once it’s dissolved, pour it into the spray bottle and shake well.
FAQs for How To Clean a Mirror
Can You Clean a Mirror With Just Water?
Yes, a mirror can be cleaned with just water.
It's as simple as:
Getting your mirror wet
Wiping off all the water with a microfiber cloth; and
Drying it
If you have any noticeable stains or smudges, pre-treat with rubbing alcohol.
What Cleaning Tools Are Needed To Clean a Mirror?
Mirror, mirror on the wall, what do I need to clean you, after all?
If you want to make sure your mirror stays sparkling, there are a few tools you want to keep on hand:
A good microfiber cloth
Soft sponge
Cotton balls
Bathroom squeegee; and
A step stool
What Are the Don’ts for Cleaning Mirrors?
The rule of thumb for cleaning mirrors has always been to use paper towels or newspaper. We now know this is a DON’T.
Paper towels and newspapers are too abrasive for mirrors; they can cause tiny scratches, leading to more significant future problems. Additionally, paper towels tend to leave behind fibers.
There’s also no need to soak a mirror with a cleaner before wiping. A little of your chemical-free cleaner will go a long way. Ever wonder why some mirrors look black in the corners? This is why. The cleaner has worked its way under the glass.
How Do You Clean a Foggy Mirror?
What do you see when you get out of a warm, steamy shower and turn towards the mirror?
Nothing. You see nothing. The mirror is just too foggy!
How to clean a foggy mirror? Grab a microfiber cloth and wipe.
However, the best way to clean a foggy mirror is to prevent it from beginning to fog up after you shower. To prevent foggy mirrors, combine one cup of water, one cup of vinegar, and a teaspoon of dish soap in a spray bottle. Shake gently to mix, and then spray and wipe.
Enjoy the benefit of your glass not fogging up for a few days and repeat as necessary.
What’s the Best Way To Clean Older Mirrors?
If you have an older mirror, treat it with tender loving care.
Please do not use an acidic cleaner; they’re just too abrasive for the older glass. Instead, do a quick clean with rubbing alcohol and dry well.
Do not go overboard with spraying on the cleaner. Older mirrors can’t stay wet because they absorb moisture easier.
Keep Your Mirrors Streak-free and Shiny With Tidy Up Portland!
Have a house full of mirrors? Most of us don’t.
Have a home with only a few mirrors, but you’re tired and busy and need someone to take care of them? We can help.
Would you like your whole house to be clean? That's something we can do as well.
At Tidy Up Portland!, our pricing options range from hourly to flat rate, so you can find the type of service that best suits your needs.
With our hourly rate service, you can book us for a period of time to cover every task on your to-do list. In our flat-rate service, we will clean every item that our customers want to be cleaned regularly according to our comprehensive checklist.
There are all kinds of things you treat yourself to ...
Pedicures
Massages; or
Girl’s night out
… so treat yourself to a clean home too.
Book an appointment with Tidy Up Portland! today.
