No matter how often you clean your mirrors or glass surfaces around your home, it always seems like they get messy again in an instant. Mucky fingerprints, dust and other dirt can quickly build up on the surfaces, and it’s so noticeable too – especially when the weather is bright and sunny.
This is especially true if you live in an older house, because dust can appear on your mirrors as if from nowhere. But before you splash out on any pricey glass cleaning products, check your kitchen first. One unusual food scrap can actually work wonders at cleaning mirrors and glass, leaving them with a streak-free shine.
Bathroom expert Alex Woods from Victorian Plumbing has unveiled some of the bizarre yet effective ways you can clean your mirrors and glass at home, banishing dirt and fingerprints for good.
And one of these involves smearing a slice of stale bread over the surface. While this might sound strange – not to mention messy – it can actually work pretty well when it comes to getting rid of pesky marks.
Alex said: “Stale bread works like a natural sponge due to its slightly rough texture that can gently lift dust, dirt, and fingerprints from the glass, without scratching it.
“It can absorb grease and grime, making it surprisingly effective for delicate surfaces like mirrors. Simply press a piece of stale bread gently against the mirror to blot away marks, then finish by sweeping over with a dry cloth for a streak-free shine.”
However, it’s not just bread that can come in handy when you want to give your mirrors a clean. Raw potatoes can also work briliantly, according to Alex, thanks to their high-starch content.
He said: “The starch inside a raw potato works almost like a natural sponge. When rubbed onto glass, it helps loosen dirt and smudges while leaving behind an invisible layer that stops condensation from clinging to the surface.”
To try it, cut a potato in half and rub the cut side directly over the mirror. Then, wipe it down with a cloth to remove any residue. Alex added: “You’ll be left with a streak-free finish, and a mirror that resists fogging up after hot showers.”
And finally, if you’re a tea lover with plenty of bags lying around the house, you could try using it to clear your mirror of any greasy fingerprints, leaving it looking as good as new.
Alex explained: “Black tea contains natural tannins which act like a gentle cleaner. Not only does it cost just 1p, it removes grease, smudges and the oils left behind from fingerprints, leaving a streak-free finish.”
All you need to do is steep a tea bag in hot water, let it cool down, and dip a soft cloth into the tea and wipe it across the mirror to lift away dirt. Then, dry and polish the surface with kitchen roll or a microfiber cloth for a clear, streak-free shine.