Dull very old mirror

All of these methods devalue the mirror. It will be worth a lot less. Look better. Worth much less.

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Try soaking a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and wiping the hazy and cloudy areas. When you're done, spray a mixture of one part white vinegar and four parts warm water and wipe clean with a microfiber towel.

One of the trickiest tasks when it comes to cleaning an antique mirror is when it has turned white and has that dusty look. Most of these mirrors, over time, lose their base or still have residue on them. Here are some steps you can take to try and clean your mirror:

1. Basic Cleaning

1.1. Dust the Mirror – Use a soft, dry cloth or microfiber duster to wipe away loose dust and dirt from the surface.

1.2. Using a Vinegar Solution - Mix equal parts white vinegar and distilled water in a spray bottle

Spray it onto a soft cloth (not directly on the mirror) and gently wipe the mirror surface

1.3. Dry the Mirror - Using a clean, dry microfiber cloth, buff the mirror to prevent streaks from appearing.

2. For Deeper Cleaning

2.1. Residue Removal - For oilier residue, mix a little dish soap with warm water.

Gently wipe the mirror with a soft cloth, barely dampened with soapy water.

2.2. Rinse - Use the same process as above, but with another cloth dampened only with clean water to remove soap residue.

2.3. Dry properly - Use a dry microfiber to wipe further and let the mirror get rid of any excess water or soap residue.

3. Reconditioning the mirror backing if necessary

3.1. Look at the backing - If the white powdery appearance persists and appears to be behind the glass and backing, then the backing on your mirror is deteriorating. In this case, cleaning the front will not help.

3.2. Professional restoration - You may want to call a professional mirror restoration company. They can evaluate the mirror to determine if it can be re-plated or if the backing needs to be repaired.

Additional Tips

- Avoid harsh cleaners: Cleaners include ammonia or bleach-based ingredients that are formulated to be caustic and will therefore damage the mirror.

- Distilled water: In case of hard water, use distilled water in cleaning solutions to prevent the mirror from being stained by mineral deposits.

- Non-abrasive cloths: Clean with soft, non-abrasive cloths to avoid scratching the mirror.

If these methods do not work, it is due to the age of the mirror from the degradation of the silver plating, so professional help will be required.

Rubbing alcohol can quickly break up dirt and grime and dries quickly without leaving streaks.

I have tried the shaving cream method, but it made a mess.

After using the alcohol finish by buffing the mirror with a dry microfiber cloth in circular motions. This will remove any remaining residue and restore the shine.