Did you know that research shows you should be cleaning most areas of your house every one to two weeks? Despite this, it’s common for many people to go weeks or even months without cleaning specific parts of the house.
This is especially true for less obvious areas, like bathroom mirrors. If your bathroom mirror has seen better days, you’re likely wondering how to properly clean it without leaving streaks and bacteria behind.
Luckily, you’re in the right place for some cleaning tips. This guide will walk you through the best way to clean mirrors. That way, you can finally see yourself clearly when you get ready in the morning. Let’s get started!
Should You Pre-Treat Your Mirror?
The first thing you need to do to clean a mirror is assess the state of your mirror. If it’s been months or even years since you cleaned your mirror, it has likely accumulated a considerable amount of grime.
Typically, the most likely culprits are calcium or limescale deposits. Calcium deposits are identifiable by their rough, white look. It will also be rough to the touch.
Limescale, on the other hand, has a milk look that can cloud mirrors. Unfortunately, standard cleaning isn’t likely to entirely remove these types of grime.
You can usually remove calcium deposits by putting white vinegar directly onto a cleaning rag. Limescale will require stronger acid, so try using lemon or lime juice. Rubbing alcohol is also great for dealing with trouble spots.
Get the Cleaning Materials You’ll Need
Before you get started cleaning, you will first need to gather all of the materials you’ll need. We recommend getting microfiber cloths or cotton cleaning rags, rubbing alcohol, white vinegar, and an empty spray bottle.
For the purposes of this article, we’ll be using a simple vinegar solution. If you want, you can purchase store-bought cleaner sprays. But vinegar is both an affordable cleaner and also quite effective at removing layers of grime.
To create your cleaning solution, simply add one part of white vinegar with four parts of warm water into a spray bottle. If you don’t have a spray bottle, you can also use a bucket.
Make sure to check out our guide to learn more about the type of cleaning products you should be using in your home. Also a word about cleaning cloths.
We don’t recommend regularly using paper towels or rough rags to clean your mirrors. This material can be quite harsh on mirrors. Not only can it leave behind unsightly lint on the mirror, but it can also scratch it over time.
Instead, try using a microfiber cloth. This soft material won’t scratch your mirrors or leave behind lint. Once you gather all your materials, you’re ready to start cleaning.
Clean Mirrors
The first step to cleaning your mirror is to wet the cloth you’re using. Take your vinegar solution and spray down your cloth until it’s quite damp.
If you’re using a bucket, make sure you wring it out, so your mirror doesn’t get completely soaked. Next, fold your cloth three times so that it’s quartered.
This makes the material easier to work with, and it allows you to get clean portions of fabric when one side gets dirty. Now, start cleaning! Make sure you’re working from top to bottom.
Also, never clean in circles. Always swipe from side to side instead, as this method leaves behind fewer streaks.
In order to get deep corners of the mirror, you can try dipping a cotton swab in the cleaning solution.
This should allow you to reach all the nooks and crannies. Once you get all the dirt off the mirror, you can dry and buff it with another clean cloth.
How Do You Remove Paint From a Mirror?
Accidents happen when you’re painting around mirrors. If you’ve gotten paint off your mirror, don’t panic. There are some pretty easy ways to remove it.
If it’s latex paint, all you need to do is find a sharp razor or similar object. Then, just scrap the paint away. If it’s latex, it should peel right away from the surface.
Once it’s off, you can clean it to remove any leftover residue. Spray paints will require a much harsher solution. Get some acetone and apply it to a rag.
Cover the paint on the mirror with the substance and let it sit for an hour. The acetone should dissolve the paint allowing you to wipe it off easily.
When Should You Consider Professional Help?
There’s a reason why there are nearly 750,000 maids and housekeepers found in the United States. Not everyone has time to clean their houses, especially specific areas like mirrors.
If weeks or even months go by before you have time to clean, it’s time to consider a professional maid service. These services are extremely helpful if work or kids prevent you from having the clean house you want to.
You should also consider professional help if you’re not very good at cleaning. There’s no shame in this. But, inexperienced cleaners often leave behind unsightly streaks that can make the mirror look dirtier than when you started.
A maid service can bring a professional to your home that makes mirrors sparkle like new.
Need Cleaning Services? Contact Hubbard’s Maid Service
We hope this article helped you learn how to clean mirrors. As you can see, cleaning mirrors can take quite a lot of effort. If you don’t have time to do it and the rest of your house correctly, consider contacting Hubbard’s Maid Service.
We have nearly two decades of experience serving the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry area. Whether you need a top to bottom cleaning or just a specific room, our experienced employees can help.
So, if you’re ready for the clean home you deserve, get in touch with us today.
