ArcaMax

Polishing a mirror is a seemingly straightforward task, yet many people still fail to achieve the crystal clear results they’re after. Folks will spend hours meticulously deep-cleaning their homes, only to catch a glimpse of some ghostly streaks on the bathroom vanity right before bed. (Truly, there’s nothing more frustrating than that!)

We asked cleaning experts to zero in on mistakes they see people make when it comes to shining mirrors, and how to fix them so streaky, cloudy glass is a thing of the past.

1. You’re not pre-cleaning your mirror

This may seem like an annoying extra step, but it will make the final result look absolutely pristine — we promise. Melissa Maker, the content creator behind Clean My Space and owner of a Toronto-based cleaning company, says if the mirror is dirty, remove the dust first with a dry microfiber cloth so as not to wet the dust and make it stick to the mirror.

2. You’re not using a two-towel system

According to Brandon Pleshek, a third-generation janitor and the content creator behind Clean That Up!, most people do a single pass to clean… and it looks great at first, but then they return later, and the mirrors are cloudy and loaded with streaks from moisture left behind. He recommends using a two-towel system — one cloth to clean and then a dry cloth to buff out any streaks. “This is the most forgotten step. Not buffing with a dry microfiber towel after cleaning is what leaves those streaks behind. It's truly the key!” Pleshek stresses.

3. You’re using the wrong cloth (and it’s probably dirty)

The consensus is that paper towels are kind of the worst for cleaning mirrors. They shed so much lint and can be wasteful. So what’s the perfect product? According to both Maker and Pleshek, microfiber towels will guarantee spotless mirrors.

Maker specifically recommends a flat-weave microfiber cloth. These lift grease and dirt, absorb liquid, and leave a streak-free shine behind. She adds that it’s imperative you use a clean cloth—don’t use the same cloth you used to wipe 12 other surfaces in your house. Otherwise, you’re just dragging dirt across your mirrors.

4. You’re spraying your cloth instead of the mirror

OK, this is a little surprising and may be contradictory to what you’ve heard in the past, but according to both Maker and Pleshek, you should spray the mirror directly. Maker says, “Spraying a cloth just won't get you enough cleaning power.” And Pleshek explains, “This will ensure full coverage of the cleaner on all parts of the surface and that it's completely cleaned—no areas are missed.”

5. And you might not be using enough product

Related to the last point, if you’re not spraying enough product on your mirror, you might notice some streaking. As for specific product recommendations from our experts, Pleshek prefers Sprayway because it’s ammonia-free and easy to use. (“And the bubbles look cool!”)

6. You’re wiping in circular motions

According to Maker, wiping in circular motions is a bad idea. Why? It’s just spreading dirt back over the area you just cleaned! “Use the ‘S’ pattern, starting at the top right corner, moving over to the top left corner, and then sweeping slightly down to reverse your tracks until you reach the bottom. This reduces streaking,” she advises.

(Real Simple magazine provides smart, realistic solutions to everyday challenges. Online at www.realsimple.com.)

©2026 Dotdash Meredith. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.