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Cleaning the mirror: You are guaranteed to make this mistake too
Most of us make one crucial mistake when it comes to cleaning mirrors. Read what it is here.
Glass cleaner is a multi-weapon in the fight against dirt. It makes windows and glasses shine and reliably removes dirt and limescale.
Until recently, I used glass cleaner to give my mirrors in my apartment a high shine. Whether it was to remove fingerprints my son left on it or to remove toothpaste splatters on the bathroom mirror, glass cleaner was my first choice. But I made a mistake that most people probably make.
Glass cleaner should never be used on mirrors and I'll explain why.
Do not clean mirrors with glass cleaner
Actually, that sounds strange. Mirrors shouldn't be cleaned with glass cleaner even though they're made of glass? That's exactly how it is. If you use the wrong cleaning agent, you run the risk of the mirror “going blind”.
And glass cleaner is one of the wrong cleaners. This is particularly acidic and aggressive, causing the mirror to break. Acidic cleaners cause dark, rust-like stains to appear on the edges, which can spread further. Unfortunately, this so-called “mirror corrosion” or “edge corrosion” cannot be cleaned away once it is there.
How does “mirror corrosion” occur?
To understand how “mirror corrosion” occurs, we need to understand how a mirror is constructed. A mirror is not just made of glass. Glass is transparent. So we couldn't see ourselves in the mirror.
Instead, a mirror consists of at least two, and sometimes several, layers. One of them is the glass layer, the so-called base or float glass. There is a reflective silver layer on the back. She is also responsible for us seeing each other. In cheaper models, an aluminum layer is used instead of the silver layer. However, this has the same effect.
“Mirror corrosion” occurs when aggressive cleaning agents get over the mirror edges and fine cracks between the layers and attack the silver layer. The result: dark spots at the edges. Glass cleaner is an absolute no-go when it comes to cleaning the mirror.
Which cleaners should you avoid?
What applies to glass cleaners when cleaning mirrors also applies to other acidic cleaning products. These include vinegar, citric acid or even spirit. You should stay away from this. Abrasives are just as bad. These can attack the surface and leave fine scratches.
But what can you use if you want to clean mirrors? The solution is relatively simple: warm water and a few drops of detergent are enough to clean the mirrors without streaks. It is best to use a soft microfiber cloth (The shine magic cloths from Amazon are said to be particularly good*). Then wipe and dry with clear water and a clean cloth. Complete!
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