The cleaning solution you use for cleaning your mirrors plays a more important role than you may realize. For dirty mirrors, you can use warm water with just a few drops of liquid dish soap. However, if the mirror is not grimy, you could clean it with a microfiber cloth and plain water!
In a spray bottle, combine either ¼ cup vinegar with 2 cups water OR ½ teaspoon of Dawn Dish Soap with 2 cups water. Shake the mixture thoroughly. (If you've got hard water, consider using distilled water to clean your mirror so that it won't leave residue.)
Mix three drops of dishwashing liquid with ¼ cup of vinegar and one cup of water. You can use this as a glass cleaner. Mix two tablespoons of rubbing alcohol with two tablespoons of vinegar and 1½ cups of water. Spray the mixture on the mirror or glass before wiping it off with newspaper or a chamois cloth.
The biggest no-no when it comes to getting your mirrors clean is using paper towels. Paper towels are both single-use and leave teeny tiny bits of residue that can create an even bigger mess. In order to achieve a streak-free shine, use a microfiber cloth.
Even multi-purpose cleaners are too strong for cleaning mirrors. They often leave a toxic residue that makes mirrors hazy. Soapy cleaners also leave behind a residue that contributes to streaks, so avoid those too.
Plus, soapy cleaners leave behind a residue that may contribute to streaks, so avoid those as well. There's also a different type of mirror cloudiness that occurs when mirrors are exposed to excess moisture or abrasive cleaning products, which is usually referred to as "mirror rust".
A simple reason may be because of an accumulation of dirt and lack of maintenance. Another reason could be desilvering - mirrors are made of glass with a silver backing, and over time the mirror may begin to develop black spots. This is called desilvering and it usually happens due to moisture.
Soap Rub
Take a bar of bath soap (any brand is alright) and rub it gently on the mirror surface. Next, buff off the soap from the mirror surface with a towel or microfiber cloth. You can dampen the cloth if the soap doesn't come off easily. Wipe the mirror until the surface is clean.
Rub your mirror in circular motions. Use a damp microfiber cloth dipped in warm water. Use a dry microfiber cloth to remove excess water and prevent streaks or water marks. For deep cleaning, use washing-up liquid or white vinegar and warm water.
Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes are easy to use and work on a variety of hard, nonporous surfaces, including mirrors and glass. The powerful cleaning technology dissolves kitchen grease and fights soap scum.
Dish Soap and Water
Dish soap is perfect for cleaning windows with residue and buildup, and you only need a few drops of dish soap to get the job done. If you're cleaning inside windows, use a spray bottle and if you're washing exterior windows, use a bucket.
Rubbing Alcohol Windex Alternative
(Rubbing alcohol is also a safe cleaning solution for stains and sticky messes.) Mix one cup distilled water, three tablespoons vinegar, and ¼ cup rubbing alcohol in a new spray bottle and label it. Shake up your glass cleaning solution and spray it on your glass.
Dawn as a substitute glass cleaner
One of the most effective ways to clean glass is dish soap – it's what professional window cleaners use when cleaning exterior windows.
Combine one cup water, one cup vinegar and a teaspoon of dish soap in a spray bottle. Shake gently to mix. Apply the solution directly to the mirror and let it sit for a few seconds. Wipe the spray on the mirror away with either a microfiber cloth or newspaper.
Clean the mirror with glass cleanser, shaving cream, or vinegar. Once you've removed dirt and gunk from the mirror, you'll be able to see better where the mirror is clear or cloudy. Then wipe the surface of the mirror with glass cleanser, shaving cream, or vinegar until the cloudiness disappears.
For a quick clean: Just use water
Add water to a spray bottle, and, starting from the top of the mirror, spritz the water on the surface and wipe in zig-zag motion to prevent streaking. Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to buff out any remaining streaks.
Mirrors are a regular part of a cleaning schedule in the home. According to the experts, decorative mirrors should be throughly cleaned at least monthly to remove pollutants that settle on the surface. Meanwhile, bathroom mirrors will need daily attention to keep them clear from splatters, water and toothpaste.
When people over-clean their mirrors, the product can get behind the mirror and destroy the backing over time. "Bathroom mirrors are constantly exposed to moisture which causes damage over time to the silver backing," Dani told Real Homes. That's the reason black spots and darkened edges appear over time.
If there are windows or other reflective surfaces in the room, a mirror facing the bed can amplify the glare and reflections. This can result in constant movement and flickering lights on the mirrored surface, which can be visually stimulating and disruptive to sleep.
According to Crane and Canopy, placing a mirror directly opposite from your bed can negatively affect how much rest you get at night. Mirrors are believed to cause energy to bounce around, which creates a sense of restlessness. Their magnifying properties can also amplify anxious thoughts and personal problems.