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.
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.
Why do my mirrors streak when I clean them? Experts suggest that streaks are primarily caused by the wrong tools. If you're using products with soaps and additives (that are less able to evaporate) or you're wiping with a crude edge (such as those on paper towels) then you're less likely to achieve a spotless finish.
If you find that you still have streaks after you've cleaned your window, simply rinse with clear water to help remove any of the remaining cleaning solution.
For best results, avoid using Windex® Original Glass Cleaner on very hot or cold surfaces. The product may evaporate before wiping and cause streaking. Choosing the right towel can also help achieve a streak-free shine. Extra-absorbent paper towels can leave lint and film behind because they are treated.
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.
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.)
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.
A big problem is the evaporation rate. If you're cleaning your windows on a warm sunny day, the liquid part of the solution evaporates quickly and leaves behind a residue that appears as streaks. On the other hand, if you don't entirely remove the liquid you can also be left with a streaky window.
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.
Bleach and ammonia
Many window cleaners, such as Windex, contain Ammonia. If mixed with bleach, it produces a toxic gas called chloramine.
These can be removed by wiping your mirror with a little rubbing alcohol on a soft cloth. Next, spray your mirror with a glass cleaner or your preferred cleaning solution. Use a microfibre cloth to wipe the mirror. Work from edge to edge and then top to bottom, don't use a circular motion.
Provided they are clean, microfiber cloths are the best way to avoid thin films left over after you wipe down the surface of your glass or mirror. Some people recommend using rags, or an old tee-shirt, but those materials were not designed for cleaning.
Rubbing alcohol (also known as isopropyl alcohol) can be used to help achieve a streak-free finish on your glass surfaces. You can mix a small amount (around 10% of the total volume) into the cleaning solutions above, or you can use a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water as a final step in your cleaning process.
It contains vinegar and isopropyl alcohol, which both cut through grease and kill bacteria. Simply mix one cup of alcohol and water and add a tablespoon of vinegar. Add the mixture to a spray bottle, and you're good to go! This cleaner works on any glass surface, from your windows to the lenses in your glasses.
For best results, make sure you completely rinse suds. Do not allow product to dry before rinsing, rinse windows from top to bottom and use Windex® Outdoor Sprayer when the temperature is above 55º F. If the product is applied to eaves or siding above windows, it may drip down on windows.
An extremely effective degreaser, Windex can soften built-up grease throughout the kitchen, especially on hard-to-clean range hoods, fans, and light fixtures. Spray down the surface liberally, let stand for 10 minutes, and then wipe it up.
For best results, avoid using Windex® Vinegar Glass Cleaner on very hot or cold surfaces. The product may evaporate before wiping and cause streaking. Choosing the right towel can also help achieve a streak-free shine. Extra-absorbent paper towels can leave lint and film behind because they are treated.
The real trick is to use a clean and dry cloth to polish your mirror glass. And the best one out there is the Microfiber Glass Cleaning Cloth. This lint-free cloth is made from a flat-knit polyester and microfiber blend to give you an ultimate shine on any mirror, glass, and stainless steel surface.