Designer Mirror Cleaning 101

So, you’ve managed to pick up a brand new designer mirror. Maybe you’ve already placed it in a place of pride in your home. Such as above a mantlepiece or on a wall in the dining room. Either way, you’ve got it somewhere it can be seen. That’s great! You should always be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor, especially when company is around. 

Of course, having a mirror in a prominent space is something of a double-edged sword. Sure, it’s nice to have it there, but what happens when your designer mirror starts losing its luster? 

Having a smudgy or dusty mirror is, of course, perfectly normal, but it doesn’t have to be something you suffer through in silence. In fact, it can be something correctable, with the proper methods. 

What are those methods, you ask? Well, we’re glad you asked because we’ve got a great guide just below that’s going to put you through your paces and get that mirror looking spotless! 

Read on!

Step 1: Vinegar + Water

One of the most common misconceptions about window cleaning is that you need to solely rely on store-bought window cleaners. The reality, however, is quite different as traditional window cleaning solutions don’t work as well as you’d expect. 

Instead, we recommend making your solution using distilled vinegar and warm water. The ratio of vinegar to water takes a bit of trial and error based on just how dirty your mirror is, but it’s worth it to try and figure out what works best. 

Place your solution into an empty spray bottle, and voila! You now have an excellent cleaning solution that’ll leave no streaks or fogginess when used. 

Step 2: Dry Cloth

Before you use your nifty new cleaning solution, make sure you’ve given your mirror a bit of a pre-clean first. Microfiber cloth is usually best and will be extremely helpful at preventing dust and debris from creating more work once the solution is applied. 

Step 3: Even Coverage

Now comes the fun part, take your new cleaning solution and spray evenly across the surface of the mirror. More often than not, it pays to cover the whole surface rather than just a specific area, as mirrors have a habit of showing up just about everything. 

Step 4: Buff It Out

Use your microfiber cloth in a circular motion to buff out as much of the imperfection as possible. This stage will require a fair bit of elbow grease, so be prepared for a workout. It also pays to be thorough as any drips or marks on the mirror can leave streaks if left to dry. 

In addition, make sure you buff your mirror in sections. Doing so will help avoid creating streaks and ensure you’re as thorough as possible before moving on to the next area. 

And that’s it! Your mirror should now be spot and streak-free. 

Extra Tips:

• To prevent your mirror from drying too quickly and leaving streaks, try to limit the amount of ventilation in the room.

• It pays to make sure your cleaning solution is made using warm water for stubborn marks, as this will help melt away dirt and grease. 

• Always start at the top of the mirror before moving downwards, cleaning downwards. Doing this will help reduce streaks and any missed sections of the mirror. 

If you would like some more help with your new mirror, don't be afraid to give our team at West Mirrors a call. Our friendly group of experts would be more than happy to provide some advice and recommendations!