Before purchasing more glass and window cleaner you may be looking at some of your other cleaning products wondering if they can get the job done, especially multipurpose cleaners like disinfecting wipes. While it can be easy to think that disinfecting wipes should be able to clean mirrors, this is not the job they are designed for and the results are telling.
No, you cannot clean mirrors with disinfecting wipes. Disinfecting wipes will leave your mirrors looking streaky and clouded. If you use disinfecting wipes to clean your mirror, you should follow it with a damp, clean cloth and then a dry one to remove the leftover residue from the surface of the mirror.
If you do use disinfecting wipes to clean your mirror, there are a couple of steps to follow up with to ensure your mirror is clean and streak-free. Read on to find out more.
Will Disinfecting Wipes Prevent My Mirrors from Fogging Up?
Disinfecting wipes will not prevent your mirrors from fogging up, rather they can cause your mirrors to appear clouded. Disinfecting wipes will certainly disinfect the surface of your mirror but will likely leave streaks and clouding on the surface of your mirror making it hard to look through.
This layer of residue is likely to attract moisture to the surface of the mirror from hot showers, causing it to fog up more.
Does Cleaning a Mirror with Disinfecting Wipes Leave Streaks?
Disinfecting wipes were not designed to clean mirrors and as such the cleaning liquid found in disinfecting wipes will leave residual marks on the surface of your mirror. Your mirror will then appear streaky and clouded, which can only be solved by wiping it down again with a damp, clean cloth then a dry one.
How to Clean a Mirror Using Disinfecting Wipes?
Although disinfecting wipes do not make an ideal mirror cleaner, there are a few steps you can follow if you do choose to use them for this purpose.
1. Wipe the Mirror with Disinfecting Wipes.
Thoroughly wipe your mirror with a disinfecting wipe, paying extra attention to any corners and edges (especially framed mirrors).
2. Wipe the Mirror with a Damp, Clean Cloth.
After wiping the mirror down with a disinfecting wipe, remove the excess cleaning solution from the wipe with a damp, clean cloth.
3. Wipe the Mirror with a Dry, Clean Cloth.
The last step is to wipe the mirror with a dry, clean cloth. This ensures that no residual disinfecting wipe solution or water from the damp cloth is left on the mirror, minimizing the chances of there being any leftover streaks.
Is Cleaning a Mirror with Disinfecting Wipes Dangerous?
Cleaning a mirror with disinfecting wipes is no more dangerous than cleaning any other surface with disinfecting wipes. If you have pets that are likely to climb counters, keep them away from mirrors that have just been cleaned with disinfecting wipes to avoid accidental ingestion. Once the disinfecting wipe solution has completely dried and been wiped away, it is safe.
What are some Alternative Ways to Clean a Mirror?
If you do not wish to clean your mirror with disinfecting wipes, you can use more effective mirror cleaners such as conventional chemical spray mirror cleaners, plain water, rubbing alcohol, microfiber cloths, vinegar, lemon juice, or even used newspapers. The method by which you clean your mirror comes down to personal preference and what you have available to use in your household.
Final Thoughts
Although disinfecting wipes tend to be used for many purposes on various surfaces, they were not designed to be used as mirror cleaners. Using disinfecting wipes on your mirrors will likely result in streaks and clouding on the surface of your mirror. To mitigate this, you need to wipe the mirror again with a damp, clean cloth followed by a dry one, rendering the use of the disinfecting wipe useless.
Read our related articles about cleaning mirrors:
- Can You Clean a Mirror with Soda?
- Can You Clean a Mirror with Rubbing Alcohol?
- Can You Clean a Mirror with Mineral Spirits?
- Can You Clean a Mirror with Toothpaste?
- Can You Clean a Mirror with Bleach?
- Can You Clean a Mirror with Just Water?
- Can You Clean a Mirror with Vinegar?
- Are Great Value Disinfecting Wipes Any Good? (Reviewed)
Jamie is the Founder of My Home Dwelling. He is a homeowner and enjoys sharing his homeowner tips with others. He has real estate experience working as a new home construction Realtor. Jamie has worked on numerous residential construction sites helping with interior and exterior renovations. He loves refinishing furniture, DIY home projects, and sharing his knowledge online.