Do’s and Don’ts for Handling Large Mirrors

Bridgewater - Black Industrial Arched Metal Window Mirror (Collection)

While it’s nice to feverishly break out your new mirror from the packaging and finally put it in your new spot in the house, there are a few things to take into consideration first when handling any mirror - big or small. 

When it comes down to mirrors and glass, there are plenty of ways that you can smudge or break your beloved piece. So, while there are several different ways in which mirrors and glass are strengthened during their treatment and framing processes, it’s still worth it to take every precaution you can. 

After all, mirrors are still given the “handle with care” designation on the side of the box. 

So, without further ado, let’s get down to the Do’s and Don’t of mirror handling so that you’re always aware of the best ways to keep your new purchase and yourself safe. These measures are usually pretty simple, but they’re pretty crucial, so it pays to be thorough. 

The Do Do Do’s

Marco with Stand Moroccan Arch Decorative Standing Mirror 59x22 Inch

• Phone a Friend: This one is pretty simple. Handling a large mirror is tricky business sometimes; mirrors are pretty heavy, after all. That’s why it’s always best to have a friend or a partner ready to help out with the heavy lifting. 

• Rubber Up: Wearing a pair of rubber gloves is pretty essential if you want to make sure you’ve got the best grip possible on your mirror. Again, mirrors are deceptively heavy, particularly those with the more grandiose frames. As a result, have a pair of rubber gloves handy. This is also important for avoiding smudging from sweaty hands. 

• Unboxing: It’s unbelievably essential to make sure that you’ve got your box on a soft surface when unboxing your new mirror. This helps to make sure your mirror doesn’t get scratched on the way out. A soft, carpeted floor is ideal as having your mirror already on the ground will make sure it doesn’t fall and break. 

The Just Don’ts

Helena Metal Rectangle Standing Floor Mirror 59x22 Inch

• Keep it Simple: Wearing any kind of jewelry or watch on your hand or wrist when handling a mirror is a big No-no! At best, it’ll scratch your new mirror; at worst, it’ll lead to a significant injury or painful pinching. Either way, it’s a surefire way to damage either yourself or your mirror. 

• Don’t Catch!: Never attempt to catch falling glass. Even though your instinct might be to try and reach out to prevent your new mirror from hitting the floor, it’s best to avoid this. With the mirror’s weight and the sharpness of broken mirror glass, it’s extremely easy to injure yourself. 

• Avoid Ladders: While it may be tempting to try and hang your new mirror in a high spot in the home yourself, we recommend you definitely try something else. Standing on a ladder with a mirror in your hand is a pretty good way to get yourself hurt. However, if you need to install yourself, then make sure you’ve at least got help, preferably with someone else holding the mirror while you make the adjustments. 

In our opinion, if you’re looking to install your own oversized mirror in your home and you’re not feeling confident, then we suggest calling a professional installer first to see what they can do. It’s ultimately the safest option and can make the whole process more straightforward, as well as ensuring your mirror is mounted correctly. 

If you would like some more help choosing the perfect mirror for your home, 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!