If you have a mirror fixed in the bathroom, trust to experience a fair share of issues with it, including blackening, steaming and even losing its reflective surface. While you can’t prevent these issues from occurring, there are some really nifty ways you can handle them with ease. Here are some ideas to help you get started.
Avoid blackening of mirror
Also called mirror rot, blackening of a mirror occurs when the protective coating of the mirror is compromised. This exposes the silver nitrate on the surface of the coating, causing it to react with the particles in the air and water. Oxidization of the silver nitrate thus causes the edges of the mirror to become black with time.
You cannot avoid this exposure. However, the good thing is that this blackening does not occur further inside than the edges. So you have a really neat way of camouflaging the blackened edges to make the mirror look brand new at all times. The best way to do this is to custom frame the mirror. Not only will this cover the black edges but it will also give an instant style upgrade to an otherwise plain looking mirror.
Avoid fogging/steaming of mirror
A shower in hot/warm water usually results in the mirror fogging/steaming up. There are ways you can clean up this fog though without making the mirror look messy in the process.
- Use a Blow Dryer
Simply aim the blow drier at the fogged mirror and dry away. This simple trick can defog a mirror in no time.
- Use Shaving Cream
Before entering the shower, apply some shaving cream on the mirror and use a clean towel to wipe it off. This will prevent the mirror from fogging up for at least a few weeks.
- Use Dish Soap Solution
Apply some dish soap solution onto a tissue paper. Gently scrub the dish soap solution all over the mirror until the mirror is clear again. This will prevent your mirror from fogging up when you shower.
- Use Vinegar
Mix vinegar and water in the ratio 1:1. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray some amount of the liquid on the mirror. Wipe off the liquid with a towel or tissue paper. The mirror will remain fog free for at least a few days. If you don’t like the smell of vinegar, add a few drops of lemon juice for a fresher smell.
Avoid Loss of Reflective Coating
A mirror usually has a series of coatings on its backside. These coatings are what give the mirror a neat, reflective finish on the surface. However, wear and tear can lead to scratches developing on these coatings. If that happens, the mirror will start losing its reflective qualities on the areas right above the scratches. Luckily, here is a way you can handle this issue and make the mirror shiny and reflective again with minimum hassles. All it takes is a simple foil of aluminum to do the job.
Turn the mirror over and examine its backside. Try to locate the scratch in the coating. Cut a piece of aluminum foil the same length and width as that of the scratch. Place the aluminum foil over the scratch with its reflective side down. Keep it firmly in place by taping the top edge of the aluminum foil with clear scotch tape.
Burnish and smooth any wrinkles on the aluminum foil with a spoon. Take care not to damage the foil in the process. Tape the edges of the foil with clear tape and turn the mirror over. It should look shiny and reflective again.
With wear and tear, the bathroom mirror may turn foggy or black, or lose its reflective qualities. With a few simple home hacks though, you can handle these issues with ease and keep the mirror looking brand new for ages.
