While your decorative mirror may not accumulate dust or greasy fingerprints for a few weeks, your bathroom mirror likely takes the brunt of water splatters, toothpaste globs and sticky hair products. Cleaning a mirror isn’t difficult, but there is a right way to do it. Can we agree there’s nothing more frustrating than a freshly cleaned mirror that looks hazy or full of streaks?
Whether you prefer a homemade vinegar solution or one our top-tested glass cleaners, here’s how to clean a mirror with ease. Follow this expert cleaning advice from Carolyn Forté, Home Care & Cleaning Lab Executive Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab.
First, Find a Glass Cleaner
The best glass cleaners are not only easy and neat to use, but are effective at cutting grime and eliminating streaks. In GH’s cleaning lab, experts test how cleaners tackle greasy fingerprints, lipstick marks and other everyday stains (think the toothpaste splattered on your bathroom mirror). Below, we’ve rounded up a few of our top-tested options, but you can also make a homemade vinegar spray if you prefer to go the DIY route.
Homemade Glass Cleaner
Keep in mind: If you live in an area with hard water, consider using distilled water in your homemade glass cleaner.
How to Clean a Mirror
- Spray glass cleaner directly on a clean microfiber cloth or paper towel. Foaming glass cleaners may be applied directly to the mirror, but most sprays will drip down the mirror’s surface before you have the chance to wipe it.
- Wipe your mirror with the damp cloth or towel using an S-shape motion, starting from the top and working your way down. Never wipe in a circular motion, which generates static that attracts dust. “I prefer a microfiber cloth, because they’re super absorbent and wipe away streaks fast,” says Forté, who suggests the E-Cloth Window Cleaner Kit, which includes a cloth for cleaning and one for polishing.
- Optional: For stuck-on spots, like crusted toothpaste or hairspray, spray glass cleaner on a scrub sponge and scrub the problem area. Then repeat steps one and two.
- Use a dry microfiber or polishing cloth to buff the surface and remove any remaining streaks.
Expert tip: While decorative mirrors can be cleaned every three to five weeks, bathroom mirrors need more frequent attention and should be cleaned at least once per week.
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor’s degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
