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".
Simply pour some rubbing alcohol in a bowl and dip a cotton pad or cotton ball in it. Then use it to wipe the dirty and cloudy areas, but make sure to rub fast since alcohol dries quickly. Once you've cleaned everything, use a glass cleaner, spray it on the mirror, and wipe away with a clean cloth.
On small discolored or tarnished spots on the back of a mirror, use the abrasive side of a kitchen sponge to scrub off the discoloration. Try to avoid enlarging the affected area. Patch these spots with a piece of Mylar film (available at art supply stores) or an ordinary piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil.
Typically, the layer between the glass and metal becomes separated when the edge of the mirror is regularly exposed to powerful chemicals, most commonly ammonia. Once the separation occurs, any moisture — even just steam from showering — can begin to cause the black spots to appear.
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.
But even mirror-specific products like Windex, while effective at cleaning, can leave your mirror full of streaks because they contain so much soap. While streaks are annoying, they aren't the only issue that can come up when you're cleaning mirrors.
Spray hydrogen peroxide onto mirrors or glass surfaces and wipe with a microfiber cloth or crumpled newspaper for a streak-free, mildew-free shine. Hydrogen peroxide is great at whitening and brightening stained tiles and dirty grout.
Rubbing alcohol is a great way to clean bathroom mirrors. It evaporates quickly and leaves no residue behind. Plus, it's affordable and easy to find at any store. Simply pour some onto a cloth or paper towel, and wipe the mirror clean.
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.
Mirrors use glass, but they have a silver backing which is sensitive to acid corrosion. If the vinegar seeps through the glass coating, it'll ruin your mirror's shine. To clean mirrors, you could instead use plain old Windex or another store-bought glass cleaner.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hydrogen peroxide can be used in a ratio of four cups of water to one-half cup hydrogen peroxide. Not only does it clean but it disinfects glass and other surfaces.
Baking soda is a master at cutting through some pretty gnarly stuff, including mineral deposits. Create a paste of equal parts baking of baking soda and Dawn dish soap. Cover all the cloudiness with the paste. Let it sit for about 15 minutes.
Fill your vessel with equal parts vinegar and water. Soak your cloudy glassware in the vinegar solution: Put your cloudy glassware in the solution and let the pieces soak for about 30 minutes. Test one of the glasses for cloudiness: Take one of the glasses out of the solution and give it a rinse.
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.
Glass Cleaner Alternatives That Really Shine. First, as most of us know, Windex does an excellent job of cleaning windows and mirrors. That's because the main ingredient in the product is ammonia. Ammonia is a strong chemical with just enough abrasive properties to remove dirt and grime without scratching the glass.
Cleaning mirrors without streaks is easy with microfiber
To clean mirrors without streaks, all you need is the All-Purpose Microfiber Towels and Microfiber Glass Cleaning Cloths. Dampen the microfiber towel, wring out the excess water, and wipe over the mirror using a side-to-side motion.
Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a clean spraying bottle. Then, mist the solution on the glass surface. Don't overspray the solution—soaking the mirror won't make it any easier! On the contrary, vinegar could drip and damage the mirror's frame.