How to Wash and Prevent Cloudy Mirrors

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Putting some shine back into your grimy mirror

Co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH and Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: October 26, 2024 References

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Using Rubbing Alcohol

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Using Vinegar

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Trying Shaving Cream

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Preventing Cloudy Mirrors

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Video

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Tips

If you've stopped looking into a mirror because it's cloudy, it's time to clean it! You probably already have the supplies you need to restore the mirror. For a quick fix, dip a microfiber cloth in vinegar and wipe it onto the mirror. You can also rub shaving cream onto the cloudy mirror and wipe away the cream. Once you've cleaned the cloudy mirror, take steps to keep it clear and shining.

Things You Should Know

Dip a cotton ball or pad into rubbing alcohol, then wipe it across the mirror in circular motions. Then wipe the mirror with a clean cloth spritzed with glass cleaner.
Or, dampen a clean cloth with white vinegar and use it to wipe down the glass. Finish by wiping the mirror with a clean cloth dampened with glass cleaner.
Alternatively, squirt a quarter-sized amount of shaving cream onto the glass and wipe it across the mirror with a clean cloth. Wipe it away with another clean cloth.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Cleaning with Rubbing Alcohol

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1
Pour rubbing alcohol into a dish and get out cotton pads. Get out a small bowl or dish and pour about ¹ ⁄ ₂ inch (1.3 cm) of rubbing alcohol into it. You'll also need cotton pads or large cotton balls. ^{[1]
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- Avoid using paper towels to clean the mirror since they'll leave lint on the surface of the mirror.
2
Scrub the rubbing alcohol over cloudy areas or grime. Dip a cotton pad or ball into the rubbing alcohol and rub it over the dirtiest areas of the mirror. For example, scrub toothpaste splatters or hairspray residue until they're off of the mirror. ^{[2]
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- You'll have to scrub fast because the rubbing alcohol will dry quickly.
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Once you've removed dirt and gunk from the mirror, you'll be able to see better where the mirror is clear or cloudy. Then wipe the surface of the mirror with glass cleanser, shaving cream, or vinegar until the cloudiness disappears. ^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Using Vinegar

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Fill a wide glass or bowl with a few inches of white vinegar and set it close to the cloudy mirror. Get out 1 to 2 clean microfiber cloths. ^{[4]
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Tip: Avoid using terry cloths since these will leave behind a lot of lint that can make the mirror look dusty.
2
Dip the cloth into the vinegar and rub it over the surface of the mirror. The cloth doesn't need to be soaking wet, but you should be able to rub the vinegar onto the mirror. Keep dipping and wiping the mirror with vinegar until the cloudiness disappears. ^{[5]
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- Rub the mirror starting at the top left side of the mirror and working downwards in an "S" formation to prevent streaks .
3
Wipe the mirror with water and glass cleanser to remove the smell. Although the vinegar smell will go away once it dries, you can dip a clean cloth in warm water and wipe it over the mirror. Then spray glass cleanser onto another microfiber cloth and wipe the mirror to remove streaks. ^{[6]
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- If you prefer to let the vinegar smell disappear on its own, open a window to get a little fresh air into the room.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Trying Shaving Cream

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1
Squirt shaving cream on a microfiber cloth. Squirt a coin-sized amount of shaving cream onto the center of a clean microfiber cloth. Avoid using shaving cream gel since this will leave a residue behind and won't work as effectively as the cream. ^{[7]
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- Don't use newspaper for cleaning the mirror since most newspapers now use soy-based inks that will streak if they get wet.
2
Rub the shaving cream over the surface of the mirror. Use circular motions to wipe the shaving cream over the mirror. Keep rubbing so you work the shaving cream into the mirror. ^{[8]
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- Ensure that you don't get shaving cream on the frame of the mirror. Shaving cream could damage wood or delicate materials such as wicker.
3
Wipe off the shaving cream using a clean microfiber cloth. Take a clean, dry microfiber cloth and wipe it over the mirror using a circular motion. Keep wiping until the shaving cream is completely removed and the mirror is spotless. ^{[9]
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- If the mirror is still cloudy in places, you may need to repeat the process once more.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Preventing Cloudy Mirrors

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1
Never use multi-purpose cleansers on mirrors. If your mirror has been cleaned with a multi-purpose cleanser, furniture polish, or goo-removing cleanser, these can leave a residue that will make the mirror cloudy. Only clean the mirror with vinegar, shaving cream, or a commercial glass-cleanser. ^{[10]
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- Many commercial glass cleansers are heavily diluted so they may not be as effective as pure vinegar.
2
Avoid spraying cleanser or water directly onto the mirror. If you spray a liquid onto the mirror, the liquid can drip to the edges of the mirror where it can soak into the backing. If the backing of the mirror gets damaged, it can make the mirror appear cloudy or hazy. ^{[11]
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- If you prefer to spray the cleaner directly onto the mirror, then lay down some towels below it before you begin. This will help to catch the liquid that drips down and prevent damage to your surfaces.
Tip: You'll have more control over how much cleanser gets onto the mirror if you apply it to a microfiber cloth before spreading it on the mirror.
3
Wipe the mirrors with microfiber or soft cotton. Although you may be tempted to reach for a roll of paper towels, these will leave lint behind on the surface of the mirror.Instead, choose a fabric material such as microfiber or very soft cotton that won't leave streaks or lint. ^{[12]
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- Have several microfiber cloths on hand so you can use a fresh one as soon as one cloth gets dirty.

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Tips

If you're cleaning a bathroom mirror, using the shaving cream method will prevent the mirror from fogging up for at least a few weeks. ^{[13]
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If the mirror is still cloudy after you've tried these methods, the back of the mirror may actually be damaged and need to be replaced. Check local mirror repair places to re-silver the back of the mirror.

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