Mirrors are a great accessory that can give rooms a personalized touch and makes them appear much bigger. However, there’s just one catch — keeping mirrors shiny and streak-free can be particularly tough. That’s where microfiber cloths come in.
Microfiber is a nylon-polyester blend consisting of about 300,000 fibers per square inch. These fibers attract dirt, dust, moisture, and microorganisms to ensure a completely clean mirror. Microfiber cloth doesn’t leave any lint or residue behind, providing a streak-free shine to your mirror.
It can be quite annoying to notice lint, streaks, or stains even after spending time cleaning your mirror. So, let’s take a closer look at how microfiber cloths can make this job much easier. We’ll also review the various benefits of cleaning your mirror with a microfiber cloth and which cleaning solutions to use.
What Is Microfiber?
Microfiber is basically a synthetic fiber that’s made up of polyamide (nylon) and polyester (a kind of plastic). The fine fiber strands are porous and dry out quickly. The polyamide adds absorption and density, while the polyester gives this material the structure of a towel.
Because it’s soft, absorbent, and durable, a microfiber cloth — like these ones (on Amazon) — is perfect for a variety of uses. It’s excellent for cleaning car windows furniture, sports gear, and apparel.
Look closely at a microfiber cloth and you’ll notice that the strands resemble an asterisk because the fiber strands are split and flared out.
There can be about 300,000 (!) strands of fiber in a square inch of fabric, and each strand works like a hook that picks up grime, moisture, and bacteria.
What Are the Benefits of a Microfiber Cloth Over Other Options?
Microfiber cloth has several qualities that make it superior to cotton and other materials. These include:
Highly Absorbent
A microfiber cloth is capable of absorbing seven times more than its weight in liquid. Whether you’re wiping down your mirror or drying out your dishes, you won’t need to worry about working with a soaked rag.
This absorbent feature also comes in handy when you’re cleaning mirrors. You won’t need to use as much cleaning solution as you do with other materials.
No Lint Residue
Microfibers are almost lint-free because they’re made with short fibers that don’t leave debris behind. The fibers of a microfiber cloth are about one-third the size of cotton fibers, so they’re less likely to fray or fall apart with use.
That’s why when you clean your mirror with a microfiber cloth there isn’t any lint or residue left behind.
Doesn’t Scratch Surfaces
Using a material that’s safe to use on delicate surfaces is essential to protect them from scratches while cleaning.
Microfiber strands are incredibly fine and thin, which is why they don’t scratch surfaces and are safe to use on mirrors.
Environmentally-Friendly
Microfiber is an excellent alternative for people who those who are interested in green cleaning and want to reduce the number of chemicals used in their homes.
As we mentioned above, you won’t need to use as much cleaning solution when cleaning with microfiber, thereby preventing waste and limiting your exposure to the strong chemicals involved.
Saves Time
Cleaning with microfiber doesn’t require much effort, and you’ll be finished with your cleaning chores in no time. Make sure that you follow the maintenance instructions provided on your microfiber cloth to ensure its long life.
How to Use a Microfiber Cloth to Clean Mirrors
A microfiber cloth allows you to save time and energy while making sure that your mirror achieves a streak-free shine. Flat-weave microfiber cloths don’t leave behind any annoying debris and their texture helps the mirror to dry much faster.
But even with a microfiber cloth, it’s crucial to apply the correct cleaning technique. Otherwise, it can affect the way your mirror looks at the end.
Instead of haphazardly circling or continuously wiping from top to bottom, try cleaning in a squiggle-swiping pattern as it ensures that you don’t miss any spots. Here’s how you should do this:
- Starting from the top right corner of the mirror, drag your microfiber cloth all the way to the top left corner.
- Inching down slowly, swipe in the opposite direction back across to the right side again.
- Continue with this zig-zag pattern all the way down to the bottom.
This technique ensures every inch of the mirror is cleaned without leaving any streaks.
Which Cleaning Solutions Are Best for Mirrors?
Although there are numerous commercial mirror cleaning solutions available, you can easily make your own glass cleaner using just a few standard household items. These solutions are natural, effective, and safe to use:
Vinegar and Water
A mixture of vinegar and water is a very effective mirror-cleaning solution. The ideal ratio is 10 parts warm water and 1 part distilled vinegar. Mix them both in a spray bottle to clean your mirrors easily.
Black Tea
You’ll be surprised to learn that the tannic acid in black tea is a potent natural cleaner. It cleans the mirrors just as well as any other cleaner. Brew the tea and allow it to cool for at least an hour.
Fill a spray bottle with this tea and simply use it to clean your mirrors.
Ammonia and Water
Ammonia and water is another excellent mirror cleaning solution. Pour a gallon of water into a bucket and add ⅓ cup of ammonia (on Amazon). Use a sponge to apply this mixture to your mirror.
With a dry and clean microfiber cloth, wipe down your mirror in a zig-zag pattern. Use a second microfiber cloth to buff your mirror.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Spray a light mist of hydrogen peroxide on your mirror and use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe it down.
Toothpaste
Plain white toothpaste works great as a mirror cleaner. Cover your mirror with toothpaste and leave it for about 20 minutes until the toothpaste dries out.
Use a microfiber cloth to remove the toothpaste. Buff the mirror clean using circular motions.
How to Avoid Streaks While Cleaning
To avoid streaks while cleaning your mirror, here’s what you need to do:
Use an Additive-Free Cleaner
Additives such as scents, soaps, and dyes leave behind residues that can cause streaks. Using a glass cleaner that doesn’t contain any additives will give you excellent results.
Although a lemon-scented, brightly-colored cleaner may smell fresh and look nice, it might also deposit layers of oil, wax, or grease on your mirror. These contaminants become streaks when you try to wipe them away.
Dyes, scents, and soaps can’t evaporate, and they won’t simply wipe off. This means that if you use a glass cleaner that’s scented or colored, you’ll be trapped in an endless streak-eliminating cleaning cycle.
Spot Clean Your Mirror
Some stains or hard-to-remove gunk may need extra attention when you’re cleaning your mirror. That’s why it’s better to spot-clean these dirtier areas before tackling the whole mirror. Avoid scrubbing or pressing hard when spot cleaning as it could damage the surface of your mirror.
Always Use a Microfiber Cloth
Using a microfiber cloth ensures that your mirror will be dry, clean, and lint-free. It’s able to absorb the cleaning liquid and effectively remove all the dust and debris from your mirror.
Some people recommend using old tee shirts, rags, or paper towels. Although these materials may work in some cases, they aren’t able to clean contaminants and residues from the mirror like a microfiber cloth can. In addition to lint residue, cleaning the mirrors with these materials can create more streaks.
Use the Correct Cleaning Pattern
Cleaning mirrors in a side-to-side pattern helps to avoid static electricity buildup that can be caused by circular motions. Static electricity can make the mirror cleaning task more difficult as it attracts dust.
The side-to-side pattern matches the shape of a mirror better, making the cleaning process much easier. It also ensures that you’ll be able to cover the whole mirror evenly without leaving any streaks behind.
Repeat the Process
The above steps will make sure that your mirror is clean and streak-free.
However, if you aren’t satisfied with the result, it’s quite possible that your mirror was dirtier than you thought. Repeat the process and your mirror should be sparkling again in no time.