How to Clean a Mirror

Mirrors can be frustrating to clean. Many times after cleaning, the mirror will still have streaks, specks, dirt or a fog of cleaning chemicals left on it. There are several different cleaning strategies that can leave a mirror streak-free and looking sparkling until the next cleaning.

Instructions

1. Throw out the commercial window cleaner you have under your counter. Most of them are small amounts of vinegar diluted with too much water or harsh chemicals that can leave a fog behind.

2. Combine one cup of white or distilled vinegar with one quart of warm water.

3. Find newspaper to use as your cleaning cloth. Crumple the newspaper into usable sizes. Use newspapers that do not use a soy-based ink.

4. Clean the mirror first to remove any heavy dirt or marks. Use plain water to do the pre-cleaning. Use a cloth with a tight weave, which is more soft and non-abrasive.

5. Dip the newspaper into the vinegar water solution after pre-cleaning is finished. Rub the newspaper in slow circles across the mirror. Cover the entire surface of the mirror.

6. Go over the wet areas with a dry portion of newspaper. This will leave the mirror dry and keep drip marks from drying onto the surface.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep any of the solution from getting to the bottom edge of the mirror, which can cause damage to the backing.

• Keep the area you are working in well ventilated. The odor of vinegar and newspapers combined can be strong, especially for those with chemical sensitivities.