3 Best Methods for Cleaning Mirrors and Treating Tough Stains

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Leave your mirrors crystal clear with these homemade cleaners

Written by Filip Boksa | Edited by Ali Garbacz, B.A.

Last Updated: November 5, 2024 Fact Checked

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Cleaning with White Vinegar

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Cleaning with Ammonia

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Spot-Treating Difficult Stains

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Q&A

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Mirrors can very easily build up gunk, dust, and grime, especially if they’re hung in places like the bathroom. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways that you can keep your mirrors clean using everyday ingredients in your house, such as white vinegar, baking soda, and rubbing alcohol. Keep reading to learn how to make your own cleaning solutions and apply them so that you’re left with a streak-free and sparkling mirror.

This article is based on an interview with our house cleaning professional, Filip Boksas, CEO and Founder of King of Maids. Check out the full interview here.

Things You Should Know

Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on the mirror and wipe it down with a microfiber cloth starting at the top and moving left to right.
Or, mix ½ cup (118 ml) of ammonia with 2 cups (473 ml) of rubbing alcohol, a few drops of dish soap, and 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water to make an ammonia-based cleaner.
Get rid of hard water stains or difficult spots by dampening them with rubbing alcohol and wiping them off or scraping them off with a razor scraper.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning with White Vinegar

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A mix of vinegar and water is one of the best ways to clean a foggy mirror. Make sure you’re using white vinegar specifically and not something like apple cider vinegar or wine vinegar. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and give it a good shake to make sure that everything is equally combined.
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Spray the solution and wipe your mirror from left to right. Spray a liberal amount of your vinegar solution onto the mirror’s surface, starting at the top. Then, take something like a microfiber cloth and wipe across the mirror horizontally from left to right. Repeat this pattern until you reach the bottom.
- If your mirror has a wooden frame, avoid spraying the vinegar-water solution on the frame since it can get damaged.
- Another option is to spray the solution directly onto your cloth and then use it to wipe down the mirror.
- While vinegar isn’t toxic, still make sure that the room is well-ventilated as you work by opening a door or window, or by turning on a fan.
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Dry the mirror completely with a microfiber cloth. Take a dry microfiber cloth and wipe over the surface of the mirror once again. Thoroughly dry the mirror to make sure you don’t leave behind any streak marks or drops of solution. A microfiber cloth is perfect for this step because it’s very absorbent and soft.
- Or, use a dry piece of newspaper. Just make sure the newspaper is a couple days or weeks old to ensure that the ink is completely dry and won’t smear everywhere.
- Another trick that can leave your mirror streak-free and prevent it from fogging up in the future is to apply shaving cream to the entire surface and then wipe it off with a microfiber cloth.^{[1]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Cleaning with Ammonia

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1
Mix ½ cup (118 ml) of ammonia with 2 cups (473 ml) of rubbing alcohol and a few drops of dish soap. Stir everything to combine it evenly, then add enough warm water to bring the entire solution up to 1 gallon (3.8 L). Any mild dish soap will work for this cleaner. Once you’ve made the solution, pour it into a spray bottle.^{[2]
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- If you don’t have rubbing alcohol or dish soap, just mix ½ cup (118 ml) of ammonia with 1 gallon (3.8 L) of warm water and mix.
- If you don’t have the supplies to make your own cleaner, using a glass cleaning product like Windex will get the job done just as well.
2
Spray the cleaner onto your mirror and wipe with horizontal strokes. Start by spraying your solution along the top of the mirror and use a microfiber cloth to wipe from left to right. Keep repeating this process until you reach the bottom. If your mirror has a wooden frame, avoid spraying the cleaner on it.
- Another option is to spray a microfiber cloth or rag with the cleaner and then wipe the mirror.
- Wear protective gear when cleaning with ammonia, even if it’s diluted with water. Wear rubber gloves and goggles, and leave the door open or turn on a fan to make sure the room is well-ventilated.
3
Dry the mirror thoroughly with a microfiber cloth. To avoid leaving streak marks on your mirror, thoroughly dry the entire surface. Use something like a microfiber cloth since it’s an incredibly absorbent and soft material that won’t scratch your mirror.
- If you don’t have a microfiber cloth, use a dry piece of newspaper. Use a piece that’s a couple of days or weeks old to make sure that the ink is completely dried.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Spot-Treating Difficult Stains

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1
Treat tough stains or residue with rubbing alcohol. If you have a hard water stain on your mirror or any gooey residue from something like a sticker, dampen a cloth or paper towel with rubbing alcohol and dab it over the spot. Let it sit for a minute or two, then wipe it off with a dry paper towel or microfiber cloth.
- Nail polish remover will also work just as well.
Scrape off residue with a razor scraper. Dampen the area with water, rubbing alcohol, or a vinegar solution made of equal parts white vinegar and warm water. Then, hold your razor at a 45-degree angle and scrape off the stain or residue marking up your mirror. Dry off the spot with a microfiber cloth or paper towel when you’re done.
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Apply a paste made with equal parts baking soda and vinegar. Baking soda is a safe and gentle cleaner that is great to use on glass.^{[3]
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Research source} Simply combine equal parts baking soda and white vinegar in a small bowl and mix them together until you get a paste. Apply the paste to the hard stain on your mirror, let it sit for a minute or two, then wipe it off with a clean cloth or towel.
- Only use white vinegar, not apple cider vinegar or wine vinegar.

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Question

How can I remove paint from a mirror?

Community Answer

If it is a latex-based paint, gently scrape the paint off with a razor blade. If it is spray paint, use acetone on a rag to dissolve the paint.

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Question

Can I get my mirror streak free without using rubbing alcohol?

Community Answer

Try using whatever glass cleaner you usually use and crumpled up newspaper.

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Does it have to be white vinegar for the mixture?

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Not necessarily. There are special products you can spray that are specifically made to be used on mirrors or glass.

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