How to clean a mirror without Windex?

Teresa
by Teresa

I need to clean my mirrors, but I cannot stand the smell of Windex. So I want to be original here and use what I have in the house (but I'm also happy to make a quick trip to the store). Any good ideas of how to clean my mirror without using Windex?


  36 answers
  • Arleen Sarsons Arleen Sarsons on Mar 19, 2017

    To clean my mirrors, windows, etc. i use equal parts water, rubbing alcohol & non sudsy ammonia. Clean twice with non lint cloths. My mirrors sparkle.

  • Nur28663968 Nur28663968 on Aug 07, 2017

    I use rubbing alcohol on my mirrors, cleans and sanitizes



  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Nov 01, 2018

    I use a microfiber product called SuperCloth. You just add water and it works perfectly on mirrors, windows, screens, glasses, and more. Norwex has one as well but I've only seen the demo, not actually used them.

  • Rozmund Rozmund on Mar 16, 2017

    I am a coffee drinker so I use the Size 4 coffee filters to clean mirrors, glass table tops, crystal wine glasses, etc..because they leave absolutely no lint..one filter fits over my fingers just great and is easy to discard...they are actually biodegradable so can pop into the composter if you garden..

  • User User on Jan 13, 2017

    we have used rubbing alcohol for ever on our mirrors and on car mirrors too', even use it to clean my reading glasses



  • Molly Molly on Mar 12, 2017

    Use club soda. Works perfectly.

  • Janice Janice on Apr 11, 2019

    I use either 1/2 alcohol to 1/2 water mixture or the same proportions using vinegar. I do like the alcohol especially on mirrors as it evaporates easily and doesn't require as much rubbing to dry the mirrors as you clean.

  • John John on Mar 16, 2017

    Dawn dish detergent and a little water in a spray bottle

  • Terry Terry on Jan 20, 2019

    Norwex enviro cloth and polisher set. No chemicals, just water. Miraculous! (I have no affiliation with this company.)

  • Landsharkinnc Landsharkinnc on May 06, 2018

    my 'go to' for glass is Denatured Alcohol -- available in the paint dept - not rubbing alcohol - mix w/ water

  • Johnchip Johnchip on Mar 16, 2017

    The trick is to repeat; clean twice.

  • Oliva Oliva on Aug 14, 2018

    Always apply the cleaning product to the cloth. Do not apply the cleaner directly onto the mirror, as it can cause a discoloration, over time.

  • Robyn Garner Robyn Garner on Aug 06, 2017

    If it's REALLY bad you can try scraping it off with a straight edge razor scraper. Otherwise, try some Krud Kutter.

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Jan 19, 2019

    I'm trying out a new Mrs. Meyer's product that is for cleaning glass and mirrors. I have no affiliation with them, but, so far so good. It is a vinegar gel . So far, I really like it, except for the strong vinegar smell, which fades. The problem I've always had is how runny vinegar and sprays are. So far, the gel avoids that problem, so I'd like to figure out if I could make something like it or if it makes more sense to buy it. By the way, I only use a clean microfiber cloth for glass and mirrors. They don't leave residue, are reusable and ecologically friendly.

  • Archer Archer on Aug 06, 2017

    automotive brake cleaner.

    Less harsh solution: Goof off.


  • Zoe Zoe on Mar 14, 2017

    Wet newspaper works too.

  • Shirley Heikkinen Shirley Heikkinen on Mar 19, 2017

    Your mirrors and windows may have a film on them from off-gassing of new products in the home. Go to a local shop that puts shaded film on car windows and ask if they will sell you a can of the window cleaner they use. The one I bought came out as a foam and did wonders for my windows & mirrors!

  • Moo23921847 Moo23921847 on Aug 06, 2017

    Try using a baking soda paste on small spots. Good Luck with this

  • Twyla J Boyer Twyla J Boyer on Aug 19, 2019

    You can clean an old mirror with whatever you would use on a new one. But with any mirror, it is generally better to spray the product on the cleaning cloth or paper towel than directly onto the mirror because it can run down and settle in the frame where it can damage the frame and possibly the backing of the mirror.


    If cleaning the mirror doesn't remove the spots and sort of haze you might see, then it may well be that the back of the mirror has been damaged over time and you might not end up with a really good reflective mirror. In that case, use it more as a piece of art than for typical mirror uses. Having an old mirror resilvered is ridiculously expensive and is generally not worth the cost.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Sep 04, 2017

    Do not use any cloths that are fuzzy, that leave any lint, or fray easily. Polyester cloths do not absorb moisure enough to be any good at wiping or polishing, and cause smearing. Cotton is much better.

  • Chubby58 Chubby58 on Sep 04, 2017

    Use a professional squeegee left to right all the way down the window, then wipe off the excess with a dry glass cloth. They are blue and you can get them at Walmart. They say for glass. I use the Champion or Binswanger foam glass spray. It works great. I've tried all the other things and nothing comes out as well as when I use the foam spray.

  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Oct 10, 2017

    Wash them with ammonia water, then rinse them with vinegar water to make sure the soap and grime residue is off, that should help. Dry the windows with a lint free cloth or a microfiber cloth. My mom swears by this and her windows sparkle and she is 97 years old now.

  • Karen Krysowaty Karen Krysowaty on Oct 10, 2017

    Have you tried vinegar and water with coffee filters to dry?

  • Andrew Bounader Andrew Bounader on Oct 11, 2017

    Use an old pair of pantyhose rolled up in a tight ball instead of newspaper as the 'new' coloured inks smear over the glass, back in the "Olden Days" newspapers were only black and white and had vegetable oil based inks - usually so didn't leave a residue behind - even though paper boys - remember them? always seemed to have black hands - but easily washed off with water.

  • Kelly Denoyer Russell Kelly Denoyer Russell on Oct 11, 2017

    Go to the dollar store and buy microfiber cloths. Make a vinegar/water mix in a spray bottle.

  • Dwp7470b Dwp7470b on Nov 23, 2018

    You can also use 3 parts rubbing alcohol with 1 part water.

  • Pat Pat on Nov 23, 2018

    micro-fiber cloths work well.

  • Lynn Sorrell Lynn Sorrell on Nov 23, 2018

    Isopropyl/rubbing alcohol(what windex is made with)and clean white lint free cloth no fabric softener on cloth

  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Nov 10, 2018

    I Use SPRAYWAY glass cleaner. It's a foam. Love it. It's in a can with a blue lid. Wal-Mart and many other places carry it.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Mar 12, 2017

    White vinegar and water 50/50 mix and wipe with micro fiber towel or lint free paper towel.

  • Mary Mary on Nov 10, 2018

    I use shaving cream and it works great! Just get the cheap kind,don’t put to much I’d or you will be taking it off for a long time! Also rubbing alcohol works good.

  • Ebbjdl Ebbjdl on Nov 10, 2018

    I use alcohol. Spray on paper towel, then wipe. Aloha!

  • Lynn Sorrell Lynn Sorrell on Nov 10, 2018

    Isopropyl alcohol/rubbing alcohol & newspaper = best mirror cleaner ever

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on May 08, 2018

    I use vinegar and water in a spray bottle and microfiber cloths.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jan 08, 2023

    Wet Newspaper!