Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels
Mirrors are undoubtedly an essential part of any home. It helps us take a good look at our appearance before setting off to whatever we want to do for the day. It also enhances our homes’ look by becoming an essential part of the interior decor through its different shapes and frame designs. Everywhere from bathrooms, bedrooms, and sometimes even living rooms have this piece of decoration/ furniture on walls or tabletops, emphasizing how vital mirrors are in our daily life.
But mirrors are not always this shiny, reflective thing. Sometimes, due to their environment (and even lousy cleaning habits!), the mirror’s surface would start to have dirt or buildup. Among the most annoying are those called “streaks.” These streaks are lines that seem to make their way across the mirror, sometimes distorting the reflected images. These are annoying, and more importantly, a sign of the lack of TLC. To avoid this phenomenon, proper cleaning methods must be employed to ensure that your mirror looks good for a long time like you *winks*.
Choosing the Right Materials
You may have heard that vinegar, lemon juice (natural, not the boxed grocery kind), and newspaper are the OG. While it may indeed work, sometimes the cleaning properties of the vinegar and lemon juice may no longer be as effective, especially on mirrors that haven’t been cleaned for a long time. Having a standard recipe, though, helps out in the cleaning, especially when you are the kind of person who tends religiously. It is more recommended to use a specialized glass cleaner as it properly cleans the mirror and provides sufficient protection on its surface.
Newspapers are not much useful too. Aside from the fact that it is not as environmentally friendly, the inks may bleed and leave marks on the mirror, posing more problems than help. For this reason, microfiber towels are better to use in the cleaning process. As mentioned in a previous article, it is excellent in picking up dirt and liquids on surfaces.
You will also need rubbing alcohol (something you may have stocked on, considering the present circumstances in the world today). It will come in handy later on.
Pre-Treating Mirror Stains (Yes, You Read That Right)
When you were doing that requisite mirror selfie, you may have noticed these nasty looking spots here and there. You can remove them using the alcohol along with a cotton ball/ pad or the microfiber towel. Just be quick, or else the alcohol may dry out THEN make streaks on the mirror.
Rub Dub Dub The Glass Away
Now it’s time to clean the mirror! As said, glass cleaners are by far the most effective cleaning implement. Though, as said, you are free to use your recipe (maybe the typical vinegar-based ones) as long as you are sure that it is useful and non-damaging to both the appearance and material of the mirror itself. Spray it directly on the mirror, ensuring that you aren’t squirting as you would with a water gun, or minimally misting it as if you are spraying rubbing alcohol. Using your microfibre cloth, wipe down the surface in a zigzag pattern. Using the dry side of your microfibre towel, buff the mirror to make it shine and reflect nicely.
What About the Ones That Get Steamed?
Ah yes, steamy bathroom mirrors. They make a post-bathing reflection check a problem. To avoid this, use a bit of shaving foam (yes, foam, NOT CREAM) and apply it like you would with the glass cleaner. Buff it to make the mirror shine, and voila! No more hazy self-checks again!
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