Streaky mirrors are almost always caused by using the wrong cloth or tool, or by residue from glass cleaner that wasn't fully wiped off. A perfectly clear mirror is straightforward once you understand what causes streaks.
Why Streaks Happen
- Paper towels — the most common culprit. They leave tiny fibres behind, and their texture is too rough for glass
- Excess cleaning solution — too much liquid leaves residue when it dries
- Dirty cloths — a cloth that absorbed cleaning product from a previous use will deposit it back on the glass
- Ammonia-based cleaners in hard water areas — mineral residue from tap water combined with Windex-type cleaners creates a film
Streak-Free Method
- Use two clean, dry microfibre cloths — one to apply and one to buff dry
- Dampen the first cloth lightly with one of the following solutions:
- Rubbing alcohol (70%) — fastest and most effective, evaporates quickly with no residue
- Equal parts white vinegar and distilled water
- A light spray of commercial glass cleaner (avoid over-applying)
- Wipe the mirror in a Z-pattern or S-pattern from top to bottom — not circles
- Immediately buff dry with the second dry microfibre cloth in the same pattern
- Check in a raking light (light at an angle) to spot any missed streaks and buff those spots dry
Toothpaste Splatter
Toothpaste dries hard and needs to be softened before wiping — trying to wipe it dry smears it across the mirror:
- Hold a damp warm cloth against the splatter for 30 seconds to soften it
- Wipe off
- Clean the spot with the alcohol or vinegar solution and buff dry
Tips
- Clean the mirror before the sink and counter — dust and product that falls during mirror cleaning lands on the surfaces below
- A squeegee is faster than a cloth for large bathroom mirrors — wipe in overlapping vertical strokes, then buff the edges dry with a cloth