This article describes how to clean glass surfaces and mirrors. The procedures can be used for either surface.
Mirrors and glass windows are dirt magnets even if you clean them frequently. Moreover, despite rigorous cleaning, the result never seems that satisfactory. The glass never looks completely clean; there are always a few streaks of dirt or unpleasant lines that remain. This should show you that you need to use the right materials. Yes, a cloth and water or lint are not enough to ensure a spot free and streak free mirror. For example, is a normal cloth or paper towel okay to use for glass windows, glass furniture, shower stalls and mirrors? The answer is no, because that is bound to leave streaks that you will never be able to get off the surface by rubbing again and again. What you need is a microfiber cloth, squeegee or a chamois.
Even newspapers are great for mirror cleaning and glass cleaning. You don’t have to worry about the print ink staining your mirror or glass, as they don’t absorb ink. Rubbing the newspaper on the window frames should be avoided though. Read on to find out how you can easily clean glass surfaces and mirrors in your home, in a few steps. Glass and mirror cleaning are easy to do on your own. By taking care of a few important things when you start, you can ensure their cleanliness to your complete satisfaction.
Steps for Cleaning
- You begin by gathering all the necessary items first. You need to have your cleaning agents and their containers in place first. These include:
- White vinegar
- Water (preferably distilled water)
- Spray bottle or a large bowl
Now that you have your cleaning agents ready, you need your cleaning implements. These include:
- Microfiber cloth
- Soft cloth which is lint free
- Newspapers
- Cotton swabs
- Toothbrush (preferably soft)
- If you are cleaning window glass, towels need to be placed on the window sills. You need to ensure that especially if your window has wooden windowsills. The cleaning solution is damaging for the wood.
- One of the best cleaning solutions for window cleaning and mirror cleaning is a mixture of white vinegar and water in the ratio of 1:4 i.e. one part white vinegar and four parts water.
- Depending on whether you’ve put your cleaning solution in a bowl or a spray bottle, apply it to your cleaning cloth. Spray it or dip the cloth and wring it to squeeze out excess solution. However, if the surface that you are cleaning is too large, spray the solution on to the glass or mirror itself.
- Use circular strokes to rub the surface and remove all the unclean spots. After that apply horizontal and vertical strokes for reinforcement to completely wipe the glass clean and make it shine.
- Use the cotton swabs or the toothbrush to clean out the edges and corners. This way you also ensure that no cleaning solution is left in the corners of the surface.
- Finally use the newspaper to buff the surface completely clean and get rid of any remaining dirt trails. In this case you can even use any old cotton cloth (e.g. old cotton shirt).
In order to clean glass surfaces which are very dirty, you should start using a microfiber cloth which is soaked in cleaning solution, irrespective of whether you bought it from a store or made it yourself at home. After you have cleaned it, buff it using a newspaper.
If you want to purchase a glass cleaner that is commercially available, it is best to use a product which does not have ammonia in it. Club soda is very effective for glass and mirror cleaning. Even coffee filters are very effective for glass and mirror cleaning.
What to do with dirtier surfaces
- If there is a wax like a film covering the surface of the glass or mirror, you can use the following ingredients to make an effective solution. You will need:
- Two cups of water at room temperature
- Quarter cup vinegar
- Half cup dishwashing liquid soap
An alternate recipe for the problem mentioned above is given under:
- 1 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol
- 1 tablespoon of white vinegar
- 5 teaspoons of cornstarch
- 1 cup of lukewarm water
Make the mixture and keep it in a spray bottle. You should shake it hard before you use it.
- If your glass surface is cloudy, use the following ingredients to make an effective cleaning solution:
- Half cup rubbing alcohol
- Quarter teaspoon of dishwashing liquid soap
- 2 tablespoons of ammonia
If you want to clean a table with a glass surface, spray some lemon juice and then rub the surface with a newspaper. Be careful that you don’t rub too rigorously, or you could scratch the surface. However, even that can be averted using a small quantity of white toothpaste.
Alternate solutions for mirror cleaning
Apart from the solutions mentioned above, there are a number of alternate mirror cleaning agents which you can use to clean your mirror. Again, you can use these for any glass surface or mirror.
Borax
Borax is an excellent alternative for mirror cleaning. Take 2 tablespoons of borax and mix it in 3 cups of water. Use a microfiber cloth dipped in the mixture to remove all dirt streaks from it.
Shaving Cream
Yet another great agent for mirror cleaning is shaving cream. It cleans the surface of the mirror and also leaves it free of dirt streaks. It also serves the function of repelling steam. Use a paper towel to spread the cream on your mirror. Afterwards, use a wet paper towel to wipe off the cream.
Razor Blade with Single Edge
Some surface cleaners are unable to remove paint splatter, sticky glue and other stains. A single edged razor blade can be effectively used to scrape that away without any damage. After you are done, use any cleaning liquid to wash the surface.
Air Freshener
Surprisingly, air fresheners are great for mirror cleaning. Simply spray the freshener on the mirror and wipe it off with a microfiber cloth.
WD-40
WD-40 Multi-Use-Product is a great alternative for cleaning glass surfaces and mirrors. It removes sticky residues and smears leaving you with clear glass. Always remove the product thoroughly with a dry cloth.
