This Surprising Cleaning Mistake Is Why Your Mirrors Always Look Streaky

Have you noticed that no matter how much you wipe, your mirrors don’t seem to be completely free of streaks? It might be because (like most people) you're making this one easy mistake when it comes to your cleaning method. Fortunately, it's easily remedied and once addressed, it'll make a noticeable difference via a beautiful, streak-free finish.

The Biggest Mistake People Make When Cleaning Mirrors

According to experts, spraying your cleaning solution directly onto the mirror and then wiping actually contributes to streaks and smears. It can even affect your mirror's long-term appearance. (And it wastes product, too, we might add.)

Why It Matters

When you spray cleaner directly on a mirror, you’re typically not covering the surface evenly. Some areas will be too saturated while others won't be treated, which, cleaning professional Alicia Sokolowski says, results in patchy coverage.

Moreover, moving the liquid around on the mirror will create more of those pesky streaks you're trying to get rid of. “The liquid tends to hang on the surface, particularly along edges, and doesn’t evaporate evenly,” Sokolowski explains. “This leaves streaks or spots once it dries. Similarly, when liquid is sprayed on the mirror, it can drip down, carrying dirt or dust with it and smearing across the surface as it runs.”

Besides a streaky finish, Debbie Lovett, owner of Plan B Cleaning, explains that directly spraying a mirror can also cause the cleaner to get trapped in the backing and edges of the frame. Lovett says this can cause warming and permanent spots over time.

How to Properly Clean a Mirror

Did we just describe your mirror-cleaning method above? If not, see Lovett and Sokolowski's instructions below for a streak-free shine on your mirrors. 

Materials Needed:

• Duster
• Two microfiber cloths
• Glass cleaner
• Cotton swabs

Instructions:

1. Use your duster to remove dust and small particles from the mirror’s surface. Sokolowski says this prevents dragging debris across the glass during the wet-cleaning process, which can leave scratches on the surface.
   
2. Spray your glass cleaner onto a microfiber cloths. Sokolowski recommends only a few sprays to avoid oversaturating the cloth.
   
3. Starting at the top left corner of the mirror, use your damp microfiber cloth to gently wipe in a horizontal motion to the right.
   
4. Wipe back and forth in overlapping 'S-patterns' as you move downwards. This will help ensure even coverage and minimal streaks, Sokolowski explains.
   
5. Saturate your cotton swab in the mirror cleaner, ensuring it isn’t dripping. Use this to clean up any remaining buildup or dust that sits on the frame.
   
6. Using a clean, dry microfiber cloth, buff the mirror with the cloth in the same 'S-pattern' to remove any remaining moisture.
   

In Need of a Glass Cleaner?

If you're out of your favorite commercial glass cleaner or prefer a low-budget, all-natural alternative, Martha has a recipe for that (of course she does).

Learn how to DIY Martha's two-ingredient glass cleaner recipe here.