How to Clean a Mirror to a Streak-Free Perfection

Judy Schumer
by Judy Schumer

By Judy Schumer


If you ask the average person how to clean a mirror, there’s a good chance you’ll get the response, “With Windex and paper towels!”. What the average person may not know is this—that method won’t clean your mirror as well as homemade cleaners, and it may make your mirror dirtier, faster.


Ammonia is a common ingredient in most commercial window cleaners, and it actually can leave a streaky and foggy finish on glass. Some commercial cleaners also have a disproportionate amount of soap in them, leaving behind a residue that attracts dust particles to your mirror.


Ingredients in homemade cleaners such as vinegar, lemon juice, and dish soap break down dirt and grime while leaving a streak-free shine. Vinegar also helps remove germs and bacteria. Adding a few drops of tea tree oil to your homemade cleaner helps prevent mold and mildew and adds antibacterial properties. What you use to wipe your mirror also makes a difference in how clean your mirror gets and how clean it stays.


Read on to learn our tried and true methods for how to clean a mirror and get sparkling mirrors that stay clean longer.

hand wiping blue cloth against mirror

Photo via OBates


What Cloth to Use to Clean a Mirror

The best cloth for cleaning your mirror is a clean microfiber cloth. Microfiber cloths are made of tiny fibers that absorb the cleaning solution while cleaning up dirt and dust on the mirror. Unlike paper towels, microfiber cloths won't leave any lint or residue behind.

 


If you do use microfiber cloths to clean your mirror, make sure you avoid using fabric softener when you wash them. The fabric softener attaches itself to the fibers, which in turn will cause streaking on the glass when you use the cloth to clean it.

hand spraying clear spray bottle onto dirty mirror

Photo via Shawna Bailey


How to Clean a Mirror with Vinegar

Vinegar is a chemical-free solution for a clean, streak-free mirror. Vinegar has acetic acid in it, which dissolves soap scum and dirt while also fighting germs. When mixing your solution, use distilled water to avoid streaks caused by hard water deposits. The cornstarch in this solution provides a non-abrasive deep cleanser to remove stubborn buildup on older or especially dirty mirrors.


 

Tools and Materials Needed:

  • 1 cup white vinegar 
  • 1 cup distilled water
  • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
  • Spray bottle
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Cotton balls
  • Two clean, dry microfiber cloths (one for cleaning, one for shining)

 


Step 1: Mix the Cleaning Solution

Pour the vinegar, distilled water, and cornstarch into the spray bottle, shaking gently to dissolve the corn starch.


Step 2: Spot-Clean the Mirror 

Soak a few cotton balls with rubbing alcohol. Scrub the mirror on any areas with heavy spotting from hairspray, toothpaste, soap splatters, or dirt.


Step 3: Apply the Cleaner

Spray a microfiber cloth with the cleaning solution so it becomes damp but not soaked. Wipe the cloth across the mirror, starting at the top corner, and clean the mirror in a zig-zag motion until the entire surface has been cleaned.


Step 4: Buff the Mirror

Wipe the mirror with the second microfiber cloth using the same zig-zag motion to buff the surface to a sparkling shine.




How to Clean a Mirror with Dish Soap 

Used sparingly, dish soap cleans your mirror while removing grease and grime. It’s a simple way to maintain the cleanliness of your mirrors and avoid cloudiness and etching. 


Tools and Materials Needed:

  • Large heat-safe mixing bowl
  • 2 cups hot water
  • Stirring utensil
  • Grease-cutting liquid dish soap
  • Two clean, dry microfiber cloths (one for cleaning, one for drying)


Step 1: Mix the Cleaning Solution

Pour two cups of hot water into a large mixing bowl. Add three to four drops of liquid dish soap to the water and stir to combine. 


Step 2: Apply the Cleaner

Dip a microfiber cloth into the soapy water and wring it out well, as you don’t want the solution dripping down the mirror as you apply it. Wipe the cloth over the mirror in a zig-zag motion to avoid streaking.

 


Step 3: Dry the Mirror

Wait a few minutes to let the cleaner do its job, then buff dry with the second microfiber cloth. Use the same zig-zag technique you used when applying the cleaner.

bottle of vinegar and bottle of rubbing alcohol

Photo via BrownThumbMama


How to Clean a Mirror with Rubbing Alcohol

There are two ways to use rubbing alcohol to clean a mirror: you can use a rubbing alcohol swab for spot cleaning, and then a deeper cleanse combines rubbing alcohol with vinegar for a super-solution.


Spot clean your mirror with rubbing alcohol before cleaning the entire surface to remove toothpaste, hairspray, and other buildup. Taking a few minutes to spot-clean will prevent spreading the sticky, goopy residue all over your mirror when you clean the whole surface. Simply dampen a cotton ball or cosmetic round with rubbing alcohol. Then, scrub the spots using a fresh cotton ball as needed until all spotting has been removed.

 


Once you've removed all the buildup from your mirror, you're ready to make it shine by cleaning away everyday dirt. Use this alcohol-based cleaning solution for a dazzling, clear shine.

 


Tools and Materials Needed:

  • 1 cup distilled water (to avoid hard water deposits)
  • ¼ cup white vinegar
  • ¼ cup rubbing alcohol
  • Spray bottle
  • Two clean microfiber cloths 


Step 1: Mix the Ingredients

Slowly add all ingredients to the spray bottle. Shake very gently to combine.


Step 2: Apply the Cleaner

Spray the cleaning solution directly onto the microfiber cloth to avoid drips. Using a zig-zag pattern, wipe down the entire surface of the mirror, adding more solution to the cloth as needed.


Step 3: Shine the Mirror

Dry and shine the mirror with the second microfiber cloth, using a zig-zag motion to avoid streaks.




How to Clean a Mirror with Vodka

You heard us right: vodka can clean mirrors! The vodka gives you a streak-free shine, while the tea tree essential oil works as an antibacterial agent to keep mold and mildew from growing around the edges of your mirror.

 


Tools and Materials Needed:

  • Spray bottle
  • ½ cup white vinegar
  • ½ cup vodka
  • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
  • 10 drops tea tree oil


Step 1: Mix the Ingredients

Slowly add all ingredients to the spray bottle. Shake very gently to combine.


Step 2: Apply the Cleaner

Spray the cleaning solution directly onto the microfiber cloth to avoid drips. Using a zig-zag pattern, wipe down the entire surface of the mirror, adding more solution to the cloth as needed.


Step 3: Shine the Mirror

Dry and shine the mirror with the second microfiber cloth, using a zig-zag motion to avoid streaks.




How to Clean a Mirror with Lemon Oil

This lemon oil in this formula helps to power through dirt while leaving a fresh smell behind. A glass bottle is best for this formula as the acidic lemon essential oil can break down plastic over time.

 


Tools and Materials Needed:

  •  2 cups distilled water
  • ¼ cup rubbing alcohol
  • ¼ cup white vinegar
  • 10 drops lemon essential oil
  • Spray bottle, preferably glass


Step 1: Mix the Ingredients

Slowly add all ingredients to the spray bottle. Shake very gently to combine.


Step 2: Apply the Cleaner

Spray the cleaning solution directly onto the microfiber cloth to avoid drips. Using a zig-zag pattern, wipe down the entire surface of the mirror, adding more solution to the cloth as needed.


Step 3: Shine the Mirror

Dry and shine the mirror with the second microfiber cloth, using a zig-zag motion to avoid streaks.




How to Clean a Mirror with Hand Sanitizer

If you’re in a pinch and don't have time to doctor up one of the above solutions, this method only requires one ingredient: hand sanitizer. Pour just enough sanitizer to dampen a microfiber cloth and clean the mirror in a zig-zag motion to get a clean, germ-free mirror.


What to Avoid When Cleaning a Mirror

There are a few things to avoid when cleaning a mirror. Some are minor, while others can permanently damage your mirror. Here’s what to avoid and why:

  • Paper towels. Paper towels leave lint particles behind, making your freshly cleaned mirror appear dirty. Many paper towels are also treated with chemicals that leave a residue on your mirror, attracting dirt and dust.
  • Abrasive cleaners. If you've got dried-up toothpaste or hairspray on your mirror, it can be tempting to reach for an all-purpose cleaner in your cabinet to scrub it off. Unfortunately, the cleanser has abrasives that can scratch your mirror permanently. Save the cleansers for less-fragile surfaces.
  • Soaking with cleaners. You’ll want to avoid putting too much cleaner on your mirror. Drips left to sit on the edges of a mirror can leak through to the back, causing “mirror rot,” which removes the silver nitrate backing and turns it black.
  • Abrasive cleaning tools like cleansers, scrubbing pads, and steel wool pads. These materials can permanently scratch a mirror. As we suggested, use a soft, absorbent microfiber cloth instead.
  • Cleaning in a circular motion. When you clean your mirror using a circular motion, dirt and dust are re-deposited onto the mirror’s surface, leaving visible marks. Use a zig-zag movement going from one side of the mirror to the other for a sparkling finish.
rustic mirror leaned against a wall next to a plant

Photo via Rebecca, RestyledHomes


Tips for Keeping a Mirror Clean

The best way to keep your mirror clean is to dust it regularly with a microfiber cloth. This prevents dust and grime from getting built up. You can also recycle a used dryer sheet to attract dust and static without leaving residue behind. Whichever one you use, wipe the mirror in a zig-zag motion to get all the dust while avoiding streaking.

 


Another way to keep your mirror clean is to prevent it from fogging with inexpensive foam shaving cream. When a mirror fogs, it creates drips that dry in your mirror as streaky marks. To prevent fogging, spray the shaving cream in spots in various areas of your mirror. Spread the shaving cream all over the mirror using the microfiber cloth. Once it is evenly spread, turn the cloth over and wipe away the cream in a zig-zag motion to avoid streaks.

 


Have you tried any of these solutions for cleaning a mirror? What tips do you have to share with us?

Frequently asked questions
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  1 question
  • Lisa Lisota Lisa Lisota on Apr 28, 2023

    What works best to remove hard water deposits on glass shower door? I've had to luck w homemade vinegar spray.

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  • Dee Dee on Feb 25, 2022

    Wow someone actually uses the same ingredients that I use to clean mirrors. It works fabulous on my glass end tables in my living room too. I know lots of people will benefit by this.

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