Asked on Nov 05, 2015

Bathroom mirror becoming hazy & blurry

Rick Smith
by Rick Smith

We remodeled our bathroom in '98, which included a new mirror. We are noticing that along the top and one side that the mirror is "hazy", and a bit blurry compared to the rest of the mirror. We've tried all sort of solutions to try and clean the mirror, but its still the same...any ideas? Can mirrors go bad in less than 20 years?


  9 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Nov 05, 2015
    Try mixing bar keepers friend with water into a paste and apply with a soft rag then wash well with vinegar and water.
  • Z Z on Nov 05, 2015
    Rick, can you please share a photo of the mirror and close ups of the areas in question please? It's hard to say what's causing it without seeing just what's happening. It sounds like moisture is getting behind the mirror. If that's the case, than no cleaning is going to fix it.
  • 512181 512181 on Nov 06, 2015
    Mirrors can go bad. It is moisture getting behind the mirror. There are mirror frame kits available so you could cover the bad area. Make sure your bathroom fan is working well or is big enough to handle the space to help with excess moisture.
  • Rick Smith Rick Smith on Nov 06, 2015
    Hard to get good photos of the "haze".... here's a couple attempts.. in the 1st photo you can see the "haze" in the area at the top of the window reflected in the window.. same in the 2nd one.... area in the mirror showing the top portion of the window..
    • See 1 previous
    • B. Enne B. Enne on Nov 08, 2015
      @Z I was going to say the same thing...Hairspray does that, but can be removed with rubbing alcohol. If you have been using shaving cream to prevent fogging, or cleaners not made for mirrors, that can do it too. If rubbing alcohol doesn't work, it probably needs to be replaced.
  • Rick Smith Rick Smith on Nov 06, 2015
    Thanks Becky.... so looks like it needs to be replaced then.. didn't want to explore that until I knew we couldn't clean it....
    • Z Z on Nov 06, 2015
      @Rick, yeah, that's not always something one wants think about if you don't have to. Your best bet might be to buy a famed mirror. That's what we have and it never gets any moisture on it.
  • Lisa House Lisa House on Nov 06, 2015
    I agree that it is a moisture problem, shop around, replacing the mirror should not cost an arm and a leg.
  • Rick Smith Rick Smith on Nov 06, 2015
    Thanks for your insight! And Yes, I suspect my wife will also think a framed mirro might be a good choice...
    • Z Z on Nov 06, 2015
      @Rick, they are a whole lot easier to hang or replace too.
  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on May 26, 2023

    Mix one-part vinegar with four parts water and pour it into the spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the cotton cloth or directly onto the mirror. Before the spray dries, wipe the mirror from side to side or up and down with the cotton cloth. Never wipe the mirror in circles.

  • Deb K Deb K on Aug 09, 2023

    Hello Rick, try cleaning it with vinegar, if it's hairspray that will get it off. otherwise the finish is likely eroding, so you will need to resilver or replace it.