In fact, the best mirror cleaning solution is a homemade one: a vinegar and water solution, that is. In addition to being cheaper and more natural, another plus of this DIY glass cleaner recipe is that it doesn't contain soap like many premixed formulas, as excess soap can lead to streaky mirrors.
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.
Windex Original Glass Cleaner
Windex is one of the most popular brands of glass cleaners on the market, and it's for good reason. It's incredibly effective at cleaning all sorts of glass surfaces, especially mirrors that immediately show and amplify smudges, fingerprints, and specks of dirt.
Your glass cleaner could be behind those pesky mirror streaks! Many commercial glass cleaners have cleaning agents like ammonia and detergent, which can end up streaking your mirror. So this means you cannot clean mirrors with Windex anymore? Not necessarily, but if you want to avoid streaks, less is better.
Furthermore, another thing that makes mirrors get that hazy look is multi-purpose sprays. Never, I repeat, NEVER use multi-purpose cleaners on mirrors. These liquids usually leave residues that not only can be toxic but will also make your mirrors hazy.
The safest cleaner for a mirror is clean, warm water used with a soft cloth. An approved glass cleaner such as Windex or similar products may be used. However, be very careful not to allow the edges of the mirror to get or remain wet over a period of time.
You probably know using an all-purpose cleaner isn't the best idea, since it'll make the glass cloudy. But even mirror-specific products like Windex, while effective at cleaning, can leave your mirror full of streaks because they contain so much soap.
DON'T: Use a Paper Towel
What they don't realize is that paper towels leave behind small pieces of residue, making the mirror look dusty. Instead, always use a clean, dry flat weave microfiber cloth. The microfiber acts as a magnet for dirt.
Rubbing Alcohol and Vinegar/Glass Cleaner
Place some rubbing alcohol on a cotton pad and rub it on the stains. The alcohol dries off quickly so make sure you clean the stains quickly. Spray glass cleaner or vinegar and water on the cloth, if you spray it directly on the mirror, it can create tarnish marks.
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.
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.
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.
Mix 2 quarts of hot distilled water with a quick squeeze of dish soap in a bucket. Use a microfiber cloth dipped in your cleaner to wash your window or mirror. (Note: If you're working with outside windows, first rinse them with a hose.) Wipe down the window frame and sill or your mirror's frame.
In the 16th century, mirrors were made with mercury and tin, which has a crystalline effect when it ages. If the glass has a shimmer or sparkle to it, it's possible it is an antique. Nowadays, it is more likely for silver to be used on the back, but some old mirrors also use silver.
Mirror Cleaner
I found that scrubbing the mirror with a DRY Magic Eraser does really well for a streak-free shine.
Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) works great for removing hairspray stickiness from mirrors as well as any other build-up or streaks. Because isopropyl alcohol evaporates quickly, simply wet a clean cotton cloth with it and wipe. For sticky residues, you may need to rub to fully remove the mess.
A mixture of vinegar and water can provide an effective and non-toxic cleaning solution for windows and mirrors. To clean your windows with vinegar, combine equal parts vinegar and distilled water in a spray bottle. Mix it to combine.
Glass. While an all-purpose cleaner can be used to clean glass, it won't perform as well as a dedicated glass cleaner. When it comes to wiping down mirrors, windows, and other glass surfaces, a glass cleaner does a better job of dissolving oil and grease without creating streaks.
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.