Mirrors are items that not only serve to reflect our image and help in choosing the best outfit, but also that they are an important part of decorating certain environments. Gifts in the living room, bedroom and bathroom, they expand the environment and convey the idea that the room is bigger than it really is.
Since these are fragile materials, they need extra care so that they don’t look careless, smeared and dull. And leaving them clean with no lint, scratches or stains is not an easy task.
The list of tricks to achieve the ideal result is extensive. That’s why we’ve put together some important tips for you to make your mirrors commendable.
Necessary materials
There are several specific cleaning materials available for cleaning glass, but none of them are truly effective or suitable for cleaning mirrors. This is a common mistake when cleaning these items because a mirror is nothing more than glass to begin with, right?
All right, but its mirrored surface makes the windshield wipers look dull and dull on the store’s shelves.
The best alternative is to resort to the homemade and natural tricks that end up being less aggressive and much more efficient. You will need the following materials to clean the mirrors in your home:
- Rubber gloves;
- Rodo for glass;
- Neutral detergent;
- Soft, lint-free cleaning cloths;
- Sprinkler;
- Paper towel;
- Soft sponge;
- Alcohol;
Materials that cannot be used
Cleaning the mirror is different from cleaning other types of glass and tiles for example, so there are certain products that should be avoided as they will damage the appearance of them.
Never use the following products or materials to clean house mirrors:
- Sanitary water
- chlorine
- vinegar
- ammonia
- Coarse sponge (the green side)
- Sandpaper
- Steel wool
Acid and abrasive substances like chlorine, ammonia and vinegar can damage the edges of the mirror and lead to irreversible stains. The rough materials scratch the surface by completely damaging it.
How to clean mirrors: step by step to efficient cleaning
- Before cleaning with products, water, or other materials, remove any accumulated dust. Mirrors are objects that are exposed and collect dust, grease, and dirt.
- Remove excess dust with a duster or a soft, dry cloth or the dirt will stick to the mirror and make cleaning difficult.
- When applying a product, never apply the solution directly to the mirror surface, apply a cloth first, and then wipe the product off. This prevents stains or the product from getting into the back of the mirror and causing damage or peeling from the wall.
- The best products for cleaning mirrors are water and neutral soap, but don’t overdo the amounts.
- Make a mixture of mild soap and water or water and alcohol, but be careful not to add too much soap or alcohol in the mixture. Just four drops of neutral detergent or 1 measure of alcohol for half a measure of water.
- Apply the spray liquid to the entire surface of the mirror and avoid wetting the edges or frames as these can cause stains.
- If the frame is made of wood, use a special product for cleaning wood, and if it is made of plastic, wipe with a damp cloth.
- You should work quickly because if the liquid dries on the surface of the mirror, stains will appear.
- To make staining more difficult, rub the surface with a soft sponge soaked in water and neutral soap. You can also use hot water to intensify the cleaning.
- If the mirror is not so dirty, a cloth soaked in alcohol is enough to clean and shine.
- Use paper and a soft cloth to dry it or a paper towel to keep it lint-free.
- If the mirror is too big, clean the parts so that the applied products do not dry out and cause stains.
- For both cleaning and drying the mirror, use circular motions so that the end result will be better.
Extra care
Check out some tips to make your mirrors last longer:
- Avoid the homemade trick of ironing the mirrors. It works, but in addition to getting your hands dirty, the ink in the print will permeate the mirror over time.
- Moisture can damage the mirrors over the years, so should you dry them well, especially around the edges, this won’t happen.
- There are waterproof materials that prevent dirt from easily adhering to mirrored surfaces. A little furniture polish over the already clean and dry mirror will create the same effect.
- Never use abrasive cleaners such as brooms, bristle brushes, or other materials that could scratch and damage the mirror.
- Clean the exterior mirrors at least once a week to avoid dirt, dust and grease build-up and to make cleaning easier.
- To prevent the mirror from becoming foggy from the steam from the hot water, rub the soap over the entire surface with the dry stone, clean and dry it. With a dry cloth, remove any soap residue from the mirror by rubbing as often as necessary. Your mirror will stay fogged for about 10 days.
- In the case of mirrors with overlapping edges, make sure that no water, soap or other product residues have penetrated them. You can use a hairdryer or blower to completely dry the hard-to-reach corners.
As you can see, cleaning mirrors is not exactly how you clean other types of glasses. Anything that helps with cleaning the windows or bathroom stall may even damage your mirror, but following the tips in the article will keep the mirrors looking cleaner and shine for longer.
