Cleaning mirrors can sometimes be a toil

Everyone knows that breaking a mirror brings 7 years of bad luck. But not everyone can cope with its streaks. How to clean the mirror perfectly so that even the greatest perfectionists are satisfied?

We cannot imagine life without mirrors anymore, since our first steps in the morning most often lead to the bathroom where we cannot avoid its (un)merciful reflection. It was harder for our ancestors who instead of today´s metal alloys had to use a polished bronze or obsidian. The first flat glass mirrors appeared in the Middle Ages in Venice and were the most advanced in the world. Venetian masters painted their backs with a special mixture of mercury and tin and this recipe has been top secret (and because of mercury very dangerous).

However, mirrors were still only available to the richest. The others had to manage with reflections in plain polished containers. In quantity, they became available a few centuries later, thanks to a chemist Justus von Liebig. In the 19th century he found out how to cover the back of the glass with silver using silver nitrate and other chemicals. With a perfect reflection layer, a new challenge has arisen – to keep a mirror perfectly clean.

How to clean a mirror?

If we want to remove streaks from the mirror, clean it with a soft cloth soaked in a clean, lukewarm water and wring it out well. Afterwards use a dry soft cloth.

But what if this process does not work and the mirror is still not perfectly clean? That´s the time for cleaning hacks:

• Mirror can easily be polished with newspaper.
• Shaving cream was also proven to work for the polishing of a mirror. Let it sit for a while.
• Mixture of water and vinegar or lemon juice removes oily stains.
• We can make a homemade spray cleaner from 1 liter of water, 100 ml of vinegar, 50 ml of alcohol and a few drops of liquid soap.
• Olive oil or sliced potato will bring back the mirror shine.
• Strong infused tea mixed with salt water also has a brightening effect.

Window cleaning products can also be used to clean mirrors but try less aggressive detergents because the surface of the mirror is more sensitive than glass. Excessive cleaning is reflected by damage to the top layer of silver in the form of black stains. In rooms with higher humidity, such as a bathroom, wipe the mirror after each bath or shower.

Our tip: Instead of a dry cotton cloth for polishing the mirror you can use paper kitchen towels or facial tissues. They do not leave hairs and the mirror will shine again.

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