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. • 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.