In recent years, steam cleaning has become the preferred way of disinfecting and cleaning hard surfaces. In addition to being an easy solution to cleaning the stains and dirt from your mirrors, this eco-friendly cleaning method helps to kill germs, bacteria, and viruses.
Steam cleaning your mirrors is an eco-friendly, time-saving, and effective way to clean your mirrors. Fill the water tank of your machine and switch it on. Once pressurized steam starts coming out, set it at low pressure, and spray your mirror. Wipe down with a dry microfiber cloth.
A steam cleaner comes in handy for getting rid of fingerprints, toothpaste stains, etc., without leaving any streaks and smudges on your mirror. So let’s learn the steps to help steam clean your mirrors effortlessly and effectively.
Why Use a Steam Cleaner?
Grime, dirt, and other similar substances have an adhesive-like quality, which is why they typically stick to mirrors, floors, shower glass, and other surfaces. Plus, they can be pretty challenging and time-consuming to get rid of.
An adequate spray with a steam cleaner like this one (on Amazon) can clean mirrors, sliding glass patio doors, and windows.
Steam is damp and hot, making cleaning easy as it breaks down and simultaneously dilutes the adhesive tendencies of grime, dirt, and other unwanted build-ups.
The heated steam effectively removes fingerprints, stains, oil, bird droppings, and dirt, leaving the mirror sparkling and clear. Using a microfiber cloth after steaming to remove the moisture on your mirror ensures a streak-free shine.
How to Steam Clean Your Mirror
Before steam cleaning your mirrors, make sure you use a paper towel or a dry cloth to clean off the dust from the mirror. Skipping this step could cause streaks on your mirror.
To steam clean your mirrors, here’s what you need to do:
Step 1: Load Water into the Reservoir
Almost all steam cleaners work in pretty much the same way. First, you must fill the reservoir with water and turn on the machine to boil the water. This process typically takes a few minutes.
Once the water reaches the boiling point, pressurized steam comes out through the nozzle, brush, or other attachment. The heated vapor not only loosens dirt but also removes bacteria and allergens.
Step 2: Set Your Machine for Low-Pressure Steam
A steam cleaner comes with different pressure settings. To clean your mirrors, set your machine at low pressure.
This setting is powerful enough to clean your mirrors without adding extra moisture. As a result, there’s less moisture to pick up with your microfiber cloth.
Step 3: Steam Over Your Glass Surface
Once the low moisture, pressurized steam starts coming out of your machine, point the nozzle towards the mirror and spray in a zigzag motion.
Step 4: Wipe Down the Surface with a Microfiber Cloth
Use a dry, clean microfiber cloth to wipe down your mirror. This’ll remove any moisture left after steam cleaning and leave your mirror squeaky clean.
Types of Steam Cleaning Machines
Some of the most popular kinds of steam cleaners used in homes include the following:
Handheld Steam Cleaners
These cleaners are portable, affordable, and easy to use. They’re great for cleaning small areas like vehicle hubcaps and ovens, but you can also use them to clean mirrors and steam the wrinkles out of your clothes.
Canister Steam Cleaners
Since these cleaners feature higher pressure and large water tanks, they’re the most efficient option for cleaning larger places. They also come with numerous attachments to allow you to clean a variety of surfaces. However, they’re expensive.
Steam Mops
Steam mops resemble a stick vacuum, but, as the name suggests, they’re primarily designed to mop floors.
Some Alternative Mirror-Cleaning Solutions
There are various mirror cleaning solutions available in the market, but if you’re looking for a homemade, non-toxic cleaning solution, then here are some examples:
Water and Vinegar
One of the best homemade mirror cleaning solutions that’s safe to use around children and pets is a mixture of water and vinegar. Simply mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle and use it to clean your mirrors. If you’re not dealing with a serious mess, water alone may do the trick.
Lemon Juice and Dish Detergent
This is another great combination that can effectively clean your mirror.
All you have to do is add half a cup of white vinegar, 4 tablespoons of lemon juice, and 1-2 tablespoons of dish detergent to a bucket of warm water and mix well. Then, pour the mixture into a spray bottle, spray a little bit on the mirror, and clean it using a microfiber cloth.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Rubbing Alcohol
You can also combine apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar) with ¼ cup of rubbing alcohol, your favorite essential oil (for a pleasant smell), and a tablespoon of cornflour. Shake it well, and use a microfiber cloth and a spray bottle to clean the mirror.