Table of Contents
- Windex Glass Cleaners seem irreplaceable, but guess what? There are several efficient alternatives to this popular window cleaner.
- From natural vinegar to rubbing alcohol to different commercial chemicals, cleaning glass surfaces has never been easier, even without glass cleaner that you used to utilize before. Employ microfiber cloths and a simple spray bottle, to clean the entire mirror like a pro.
- Read to find out how to clean a mirror without Windex and how to keep your mirrors sparkling clean at all times.
The truth about mirrors
A mirror is a piece of furniture that immediately attracts attention, regardless of the type of inhabited space we’re talking about.
Whether it’s the living room, bedroom, or bathroom mirror, if you see spots, streaks, and smudges on the mirror’s surface, the whole room starts looking filthy.
And that’s even if the entire space is sparkling clean!
No wonder it’s so crucial to learn how to clean a mirror properly.
It’s hard to keep mirrors clean, but it’s even more challenging when some cleaning solution ideas—such as good, old Windex—aren’t available.
Yet, we’re here to handle these cleaning issues with you!
Let’s learn about cleaning mirrors below.
How to clean glass
The real question is not how to clean glass or how to clean windows, but how to do it efficiently.
When we think about cleaning windows or glass, the first cleaning solution that comes to mind is a good, old Windex. But, without glass cleaner that we know, we often feel lost in the cleaning department.
Windex is an American brand of glass and hard-surface cleaner. The Drackett Company invented it in 1933, and it has been a reliable, popular cleaning solution since then.
Using a renowned glass cleaner that we buy in a spray bottle isn’t that hard. But what if we don’t have it at home? How to clean a mirror without Windex?
There are several ways to handle cleaning glass surfaces with other glass cleaning solution options.
For starters, the safest cleaner for a mirror is
- plain water and
- a soft cloth;
Spot cleaning
But before we reveal an array of cleaning methods, you need to eliminate so-called problem spots.
So, to ensure you don’t smear the whole mirror with unwanted residues, first, get rid of
- toothpaste stains,
- hairspray spots,
- greasy fingerprints, and similar
with a cotton pad and rubbing alcohol.
Dab these spots away before the actual cleaning starts.
Tip: To avoid the streaky mirror effect, don’t use a paper towel or newspaper to clean mirrors, as some people do. Experts don’t recommend using these methods. Instead, better use a microfiber cloth, as newspapers or paper towels could complicate your cleaning by leaving behind lint, dust, or even newsprint residue.
It’s a great concept to use a toothbrush to clean the corners of your mirror.
Much of the dirt and grime accumulate in the corners, and an old toothbrush is the best cleaning tool to handle it.
Simply dampen the toothbrush with rubbing alcohol and use it to scrub the mirror corners.
Glass cleaning methods
Let’s say you live in a house without Windex or without glass cleaner of a different kind in a spray bottle.
You still can:
- make your homemade cleaning solution with everyday household items,
- use a more natural option with fewer chemicals, and
- save money with a less expensive formula;
Homemade mix
One popular DIY glass cleaning solution is composed of
- white vinegar or apple cider vinegar (1 quarter cup),
- rubbing alcohol (1 quarter cup),
- cornflour (1tablespoon), and
- essential oil (a few drops, 8-10);
Pour all the ingredients into a spray bottle, shake it well, and apply to the mirror. Then, clean glass with a microfiber cloth.
Molly Maid advises using a microfiber cloth to wipe the grime across the mirror in a broad “S” pattern—from edge to edge, top to bottom, and not performing a circular motion to clean the mirror.
White vinegar
Others believe that all you need to clean mirrors is a simple vinegar solution made of a mix of warm water and white vinegar in a ratio of 2:1, respectively.
Within this method, you
- take your mixture,
- dip a cleaning cloth into the solution and
- wipe the mirror until the entire surface dries.
lemon juice, vinegar, and dish soap
You can also take lemon juice, vinegar, and liquid dish soap to create a natural products mixture.
Grab a bucket of warm water and add
- liquid dish soap (1 or 2 teaspoons),
- lemon juice (4tablespoons), and
- vinegar (1/2 cup);
Mix your ingredients well and then dip a cloth into the solution and squeeze it before cleaning the mirror.
Tip: As with every cleaning method, applying a bit of elbow grease is always a good idea!
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