Saturday, July 9, 2011

Easy Sparkly Clean Mirrors & Windows

Now I love clean windows and mirrors, but I don't like to work at it.  Living in the desert we have dust storms, monsoons and usually tons of windows in our homes.  This can be good if they're clean, but if they're dirty it can drive you nuts.
My living room not only has huge windows, but a huge mirror.


This little puppy is a little over 4 x 8 ft.



Another huge window in the DR, and see that super large sliding glass door in the back.

The familyroom/breakfast area is almost all windows.  Plus I have another mirror here that measures 31/2ft.



Then there's the huge mirror over our vanity in the Mstr. Bath.  How about those clear glass shower enclosures too.  They can really be the pits.

Now all these mirrors and windows do seem to expand the space in a small house, but they can be a huge chore to clean. 



Well, I finally have two super weapons that make it a breeze.  This is a microfiber cloth that feels a little like jersey, however it is really silky smooth on one side and a tiny bit nubby on the other.  You can buy them at most grocery stores and also at the 99c store, however the ones at the 99c store are smaller.  These are miracle clothes.  You use the nubby side to wash the surface with and then turn it over to the silky side and polish.  Fast and easy and the secret is to not over rub on either side.  Just a couple of swishes on each and you are done and everything sparkles.



This is my second weapon.  Yep, it's the stuff you put in your car to spray off your windshield with if it gets dirty.  There's something in this stuff that cuts through all kinds of film and dirt and makes cleaning a snap.


I just keep several of these clothes on hand and a spray bottle filled with the washer fluid and I can have everything sparkly clean and shining in no time and without working myself to death.

I've tried all kinds of things, vinegar, amonia, newspaper, soft clothes and every window product know to man and for me this is the easiest and quickest thing there is.

If you are trying to keep those foggy mirrors shiny and all those windows sparkling, you might give it a try and see what you think.  Let me know.



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45 comments:

  1. Thanks Marty for this good information...I definitely like for the mirrors and windows to be clean..One thing that does drive me nuts are dirty windshields...
    Gonna give this a try...
    Shug

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  2. Thanks Marty for this good information...I definitely like for the mirrors and windows to be clean..One thing that does drive me nuts are dirty windshields...
    Gonna give this a try...
    Shug

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  3. Great post Marty! We get sideways rain sometimes and it does a number on my windows. I am looking forward to trying this.

    Thanks!
    Pam

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  4. Great info Marty!! I have someone come in once a year to do all my windows, but they still need to be touched up during the course of the year. My guy told me the same thing to use micro fiber rags because they don't leave the dreaded streaks! I never tried using windshield wiper fluid. We have plenty of it in the garage so I'm trying it! Martina

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  5. Thanks for the tips. Mine all need a good cleaning.
    Were you affected by the dust storm?

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  6. Thanks Marty! This is a project I keep putting off, maybe I'll get a squirt bottle and get busy:@)

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  7. Sounds good to me! I always wind up frustrated, especially after doing my mirrors, so I would definitely love to give this a try, Marty! I do need to get one of those cloths, though.

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  8. Wish I had checked your blog first before cleaning my windows and mirrors today. Finishing up the cleaning from the dust storm today; what a mess! I'll try the auto windshield washer next time.
    Thanks for the great tips!

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  9. Hi Marty, Loved this post because I hate dirty windows and Windex never gets them clean without fog.
    In fact, I have tried vinegar(same thing I use on my wood floors)diluted with water and then used newspapers to wipe them-but my hands got black.
    Thanks for the tip! Now I've got to figure out an easy way to clean the screens.
    Have a delightful weekend.
    Noreen

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  10. Love this tip...thanks so much. I can't wait to try it. Well I can wait to do the work, but I can't wait to see the results.

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  11. Thanks for the tip(s).

    And the pictures of all that glass and mirror !

    - Joy

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  12. Marty, Thanks,REALLY!!,I didn't know this and now I'm going to purchase windshield cleaning fluid and one of those cloths,..it seems like using wind@*,there was always a film I just couldn't get off, I could clean then it was not time the film is back.
    thanks again.
    ~Jo
    LazyonLoblolly

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  13. Marty we have lots of glass in our home as well. Thank you for this tip! I had never thought about windshield washer! I will most definitely give it a try!

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  14. I can't wait to try this. I have a large mirror in our master bedroom and its got a film on it (probably hairspray.) I have tried everything to get this off. It will not come off. I am going to try this. Thanks for sharing this information.

    Lisa

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  15. Wowowie!!! I can't wait till the tomorrow come. It's 01.00am now, but stil awake here.

    Too hot and messy! Now, I know what to use, coz tomorrow is the plan for cleaning the windows.

    Thanks a mill for sharing helpful ideas.

    Cyah & take care.

    x0x0...

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  16. Great tips, Marty! I'm going to buy me some window washer stuff! Can't keep the shower doors from looking all streaked.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  17. I love you Mary...I am trying this when we get home from vaca...I have tried everything, and I always wind up with streaks. Thank you.

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  18. Thanks Marty, I just ordered some microfiber clothes and I've got the windshield stuff in the garage!

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  19. Thanks for the tip. I'm always searching for a way to clean mirrors & windows that actually works. I'll give it a try!

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  20. Wow!!! I just went and filled a spray bottle and am cleaning everything in site. I have a mirror that has had a film on it "forver"... it's gone... YAH!!! Thanks so much for passing this valuable piece of information on.. it's now my new best friend..
    hugs ~lynne~

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  21. I'll have to try that solution -- we have a glass topped coffee table that gives me fits!!!! I have to work on it every day -- and I've not been satisfied with ANY of the regular glass cleaners -- I don't think they do a good job!

    And it certainly is cheap enough!!!!

    I use microfiber -- for almost everything -- and I love them!!!!

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  22. I will definitely be trying this. I hate streaks! I have 15 french doors throughout my home and the streaking drives me to distraction! Buying the supplies tomorrow. Thanks for sharing this.

    Have a wonderful week!
    Kathy

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  23. What a great idea, will have to try this. Love the huge mirror.

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  24. Thanks for the tips Marty. I'll have to inform my hubby about this...I somehow manage to convince him to do the windows & mirrors for me. LOL

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  25. Marty,
    I can't wait to try this. I have been having a hard time getting my windows clean....I thought I was getting old.
    Thanks for the info, your home always looks so perfect.
    Hugs,
    Donna

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  26. Marty! You are an agel!!!! We have 4 five foot sliding glass doors and 4 eight foot sliding glass doors, 2 huge windows on each side of the front door and ALOT of windows!! Plus, of course, mirrors all over the place. THANK you, you have made my life alot easier. I can't wait to try this tomorrow! XOXO, Pinky

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  27. Thanks for the tip, I am going to give it a try!

    Don't always comment, but love to stroll through your blog!!!

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  28. This is an amazing hint! Thanks so much Marty!

    Jocelyn @
    http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

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  29. OH wow I love it! I am a dedicated microfiber user but have never tried windshield washer -- thanks for the tip!! Am heading out to the garage now to find ours and clean mirrors! Cleaning -- my favorite thing to do on a Saturday night. Really!

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  30. Thanx for the mirror cleaning trick. I have huge mirrors in my master bath that are a major pain to clean. Will try your tip. Tiffany

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  31. Thanks for the tip! I will put my moma right on it! hehe For some reason or another, she is always cleaning my back-storm door! I usually do not have any problems cleaning mirrors...it is the windows that give me a FIT!!!! Thanks again!

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  32. Great tip, Marty! Thanks so much for sharing.

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  33. Hi Marty! THANKS for this tip! Once we moved into a house with very dirty windows (I know, what was the realtor thinking?) and the window service I hired used OVEN CLEANER to clean them! I have never had such clean windows that seemed to repel the dirt, but I won't use it myself because it is just awful stuff. So, I am so happy to see this idea! Our current house is all windows! Linda

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  34. I love tips like these! I almost stopped yesterday to buy the scrubber that you suggested for sinks at the automotive store but didn't. I'm glad I didn't because now I can get the windshield cleaner while I'm there, too.

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  35. Oh, Marty. I have so. many. windows! The guy(s)at the window company LAUGHED at me when we were drawing up and purchasing for our house. . . I think there are 47, all-told? Anyway, you MUST have seen me making faces in my dirty bathroom mirror yesterday, thinking of cleaning it, to have POSTED this! THANK YOU! :)

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  36. thanks for the great and inexpensive tip. Windshield washer is cheaper than Windex!

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  37. thanks Marty.. I'll be picking up both to use on all my windows - doors and mirrors..

    xoxoxo
    Sonny

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  38. You are so clever, Marty!
    And I have to believe this is much less expensive than Windex too!
    Thanks for the tip.
    You're the best!
    xoxox
    Alison

    P.S. I am planning and getting ready for the summer cloche party! Found some interesting things at the flea market yesterday to submit!

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  39. I have to try this! After the dust storm/monsoon my windows look awful.

    Have you tried the car windshield wash that makes water bead up when it hits the windshield so that you can still see while you're driving? I'm wondering if that might make a difference--anywhooooo, I'm going to try it on one window and see what happens!

    Thanks for the great tip!
    Blessings,
    Sindy

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  40. I really needed this tip, Marty. I can't get rid os stains left by the pool Polaris when it shoots chlorine water on the family room window. I'll try this, hope it works. Thanks....Christine

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  41. Great tip, Marty, and just on time for summer windows.

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  42. Thanks Marty! Why did I not think of that. Will try this today when in cools down some - It's well over 100 hear in Georgia.

    Toni

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  43. Thanks for the great tip, Marty! It never occurred to me to use windshield washer fluid on my windows and doors. I'll definitely be giving this a try. Suzy

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  44. My excuse for not having clean windows - When my windows are nice and clean and sparkly the birds fly into them and I really really don't want to have the wildlife injured cos of my windows. Thats my excuse and I am sticking to it!.
    I do shine up my mirrors though with diluted metho and water in a spray bottle, a quick spray and a wipe over with a micro cloth and they are sparkling.

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  45. Thank you for your tip for the windows I will be getting some to try this week. My sister-in-law is super good at getting the windows sparkling. I hope I can do this with this little secret. She will think she finally taught me how to get them streak free. I am new to blogging so if you get a chance come and see me.
    Hugs,
    Cindy

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Thanks so much for taking the time to visit and comment. You make my day. Hugs, Marty

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