How do I clean years of cigarette smoke and film off a mirror?

Question

I have a large wall mirror, that has a smokey film on it. I have tried windex as well as water and vinegar, but can't seem to remove the film. It's to big to take down. Any suggestions on how to clean it?

Answer 1

If you have a Dollar Shop near by look for a product called Awesome. It is only a dollar but, it's one of the best cleaning products I have ever used. It took *years* of nasty grease off a vent a hood without scrubbing.

Answer 2

Ammonia. Rub it on with a paper towel, rub it off with a microfiber cloth. Then try the Windex again; be sure it is Windex window cleaner, not all purpose cleaner. If that doesn't work, invest in a hand held steamer.

My folks smoked for years, and mom cleaned glass and mirrors with Windex; it could be your mirror has been cleaned with a product not meant for mirrors. That will produce a smokey appearance. If what you are cleaning off is brown, it's cigarette/nicotine stain.

Some bottled sprays will eat into the glass; not sure about 409 any more, but it used to. Read the label. If you cannot use it on glass, don't use it on a mirror.

Answer 3

Only one way, Krud Kutter. Bless my renter's heart's but some are long term smokers. You are right, most everything you use does not remove the film, on anything in a unit where a long term smoker has lived. I used to replace EVERYTHING until I found a product called Krud Kutter at the Lowes. I LOVE it. It can take the smoke and nicoten off of not only mirrors, but painted surfaces as well. Use it straight, it cuts it, disintegrates its components and leaves you with a non-toxic, fume free, biodegradeable clean surface from which you can do most anything!

I tried so many products over so many years, I only recently found this one and cannot say enough about what it can do.

Answer 4

Aw, I saw that. =/ There are some people in this world who should never reproduce. I can't believe his dad even game him a cigarette in the first place, damn. I would honestly, let my child throw temper tantrums all day(&night) until he got over this. Can't believe people these days. The poor kid will probably be dead at max. 5 years old if he continues this. His parents are irresponsible, and my mom always said that if you aren't intelligent or mature enough to have children, than don't have children. His parents didn't get the memo.

Answer 5

Use a little Lime Away to dissolve teeny-tiny crystalized mineral deposits that accumulate through the years. Then, smear a small amount of plain old liquid dish soap evenly over the surface and scrub lightly with a wet sponge. Rinse WELL. Let dry. Don't worry about streaks and spots. Then, use one cup hot water and 1/4 cup ammonia mixed and wipe surface with it. Don't rinse. Let it dry again. Then polish with new newspapers, the black and white pages, not the colored pages. Ta da!

Answer 6

Try using 409 on it. Spray 409 on the surface, let it sit for a few seconds and wipe off.

I had many items covered in sooty smoke after a house fire before, and found that 409 was amazing at removing the yellowed, smokey soot.

Answer 7

use a wet washcloth. just water and wipe it down. You may try a little tsp that you can get at lowes or home depot (tri-sodium phosphate) also, a dry newspaper. Crumble the newspaper and rub the mirror all over. Sound odd, but you will never buy windex again for your mirrors.

Answer 8

Rubbing Alcohol

Answer 9

Try plain water. Alot of window cleaners have wax in them creating a haze. Wipe on with wet cloth, dry off with dry cloth.

Answer 10

QueenB is right that will absolutly do the trick! Awsome is also sold at wal-mart.