How to Clean Mirrors

Supplies:
The first supply needed in the cleaning of mirrors is, of course, the cleanser. There are a wide variety of off-the-shelf cleansers to choose from. We highly recommend the professional Binswanger Glass Cleaner by Spray Way Inc. for the best results. But if you just happen to run out of Binswanger Glass Cleaner there are many homemade concoctions as well. The simplest homemade recipe is 1/3 white vinegar and 2/3 water. A more complicated one is:

• ½ cup sudsy ammonia
• 1 pint 70% isopropyl alcohol
• 1 tablespoon dishwashing detergent
• 1 gallon water
  

We have provided various methods for cleaning mirrors. Some are different from others and require different tools. Here is a list of widely used supplies involved with cleaning mirrors. You can choose which tool and method best suits you.

• clean cloths or sponge
• bucket
• squeegee
• rubber gloves
• 1 capful of ammonia
• paper towels
• newspaper
• razor blade

Methods:
You will clean mirrors in much the same way you will clean windows. But remember not to use heavy-duty, harsh solutions on mirrors. Remember the three A's-Abrasives, Alkali, and Acids. Stay away from these, they are very harmful to mirrors. There are reflective layers of tin, silver, and copper backed by a layer of paint that solvents can damage and corrode. Any other commercial or household cleansers will do just fine. Mirrors have critical edges where "spillover" solutions attack the backing at its most vulnerable point. You can protect the edges from "spillover" by applying the cleaning solution to the cloth rather than the mirror. Once done cleaning, wipe the edges clean and dry off any "spillover" with a clean, dry cloth. For any further information you may need, refer to ACI Distribution's Technical Bulletin "Mirror Cleaning Instructions for appropriate cleaning techniques."

Tips and Tricks:

• In order to keep your mirrors streak-free, use some old newspapers. They leave no fuzzy lint and they add a polishing effect.
• If using paper towels use a fresh one for each portion of the glass.
• Sometimes you will find sticky residue or thick spots that won't come off. Take a sharpened razor blade between your forefinger and thumb pressing it firmly down on the glass at roughly 180 degrees. Scrape it along the glass through the spots and residue. They will peel right off without any scratches on the glass.
• When preparing a washing solution, use as little soap as possible to avoid streaking.
• For hard-to-reach mirrors, you can purchase squeegee extension poles at your local hardware store specifically made for washing mirrors.