How to Clean a Mirror
We use our mirrors everyday which is why cleaning them should be part of our regular cleaning routine. Mirrors collect dust and can easily stain, especially in the bathroom where we use them daily to wash, brush our teeth or use make up. Here are a few tips on where to hang your mirrors and how to keep them looking sparkling.
Stubborn Stains
The first thing to do when it comes to cleaning a mirror is to try to get rid of any tricky stains such as sticky hairspray, make up, lotions or creams. These stains are often found on bathroom mirrors or vanity mirrors. You can use mild detergent and a soft damp cloth or rubbing alcohol to tackle these. Once you have wiped away these stains, spray the entire mirror with a glass cleaner, wiping from edge to edge and then top to bottom using a microfibre cloth.
Mirrors can be delicate after all they are made of glass, so be gentle especially when cleaning vintage or antique mirrors. Gently dust ornate frames and clean lightly with a microfibre cloth. Often antique mirrors have natural wear and staining, but this just that adds character and charm to the piece.
Final Checks
Often, once we’ve wiped down our mirrors, we think it’s clean, until you suddenly notice a streak or smear later, when you catch sight from a different angle. Once you’ve cleaned the mirror, check it from different points in the room to check for any final marks. If you spot any fingerprints or marks, then buff them with a small amount of white vinegar for a streak-free finish.
Types of Mirrors & Where to Position Them
Mirrors are a stylish and practical way to elevate your home and add interest to blank walls. Having a full-length mirror in the bedroom is ideal for getting dressed in the morning and will create the illusion of more space by reflecting light around the room. For bedroom mirrors it’s best to make use of the natural light, so position your mirror or dressing table with mirror next to a window to provide the best lighting.
Downstairs you can create a focal point with an arch mirror by hanging it over a beautiful fireplace or a round mirror above a sideboard. The hallway is also a useful place to hang a wall mirror, either opposite a window to reflect light or above a console table for a stylish look.
For the bathroom, a storage cabinet with a mirror is a practical solution for a bathroom wall, as bathrooms can be small with limited space. Alternatively, you could opt for our Kimbridge mirror which features an LED light and demisting technology.
Hanging a Mirror
Begin by choosing where you would like your mirror to go, and check that the wall is safe to be able to drill through. You can buy a detector that will indicate if there are wires, or pipe work in the wall. Decide what to use to hang the mirror, wire, string, screws, or hooks or wall strips. Check the mirror’s size and weight and mark in pencil lightly on the wall the position, so that you can see if it will work in relation to the size of the room.
Once the area is marked you can use a drill, using the correct size drill bit, wall plug and screw for the size of your mirror. Drill a hole or holes if applicable for the wall plugs to go in, which should be a tight fit. Once the plugs are in place, the screws can go in and the mirror is ready to hang.
For lighter, smaller mirrors, stick on or rip-tape wall strips can be used. Remember to mark the wall first. Use a spirit level for this and having a second pair of eyes is always useful to ensure the mirror is straight.
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