Keeping the bathroom mirror from fogging up is quite an uphill task, especially when trying to brush your teeth after the morning shower.
It’s a lethal job, but it isn’t that difficult once you get to wrap your head around it.
I’ve got a few tips up my sleeve on how to keep the bathroom mirror from fogging up.
So read on!
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Check: Best Bathroom Mirrors
Why is My Bathroom Mirror Fogging Up?
Before learning the different ways to prevent bathroom mirrors from fogging up, it’s imperative that you know the causes of why it happens in the first place.
If your bathroom door is entirely closed while you’re taking a hot shower and without an exhaust, you might not notice that the mirror in your bathroom is already starting to get cloudy.
This is the primary reason why I always like keeping my door and my exhaust fan open when I’m all alone in the house. Steam condensation [1] is the culprit of this phenomenon.
The heat coming from your bathroom travels through the cold air, latching onto different surfaces. You only see it instantaneously on the mirror’s surface because air heats steam fast.
So what’s the process on how to stop bathroom mirrors from fogging up?
Is there something I can put on the bathroom mirror to keep it from fogging in a steamy bathroom?
How to Keep Bathroom Mirror From Fogging Up
My remedy to this dilemma is to allow outside air to flow into the bathroom. This helps the steam flow to the outside of the bathroom, keeping my mirror fog-free.
But aside from this, what are the other ways to stop mirrors from steaming up in bathrooms?
ALSO READ: How to Remove Scratches From a Bathroom Mirror?
1. Try a Cold Shower Out First
Switch up a steamy shower for a cold shower. It’s widely thought to be a myth, but it actually works.
This trick works like magic, and you can use it to slow down the forming of steam or fog on the surface of your bathroom mirror.
Turn the cold water on for a quick 5-minute shower for about one (1) minute [2].
QUICK NOTE: This will only decelerate the formation of steam or fog; it doesn’t restrict it from happening. If you’re going to take a longer shower, turn the cold on for a longer time too.
Must-Read: How to Decorate a Mirror Without a Frame
2. Keep Your Doors and Windows Ajar
Your doors and windows don’t necessarily have to be swung open; you can keep them ajar to ensure that the water vapor wouldn’t accumulate and form on the surface of your mirror.
Keeping good ventilation in your bathroom is the key to preventing fog and steam from forming up.
QUICK NOTE: Keeping these entryways ajar will improve the situation even if your exhaust fan is turned on.
This is one of the few natural ways to stop your bathroom vanity from fogging up.
3. Rub Body Soap
This might seem a bit unconventional, but body soap works wonders to keep your bathroom mirror from fogging up.
I tried it and thought it was not as bad as I expected.
Here’s a clip of a person rubbing soap onto the mirror surface to prevent fogging:
I successfully kept steam from building up on the surface of my bathroom mirror.
It’s a cheap, easy, and simple solution! You can use liquid soap, body wash and even bar soap for this process. They all work the same way.
Now, do this right before you hop into the shower:
- Run the soap bar lightly over the reflective surface. Make sure to cover the whole surface of the mirror to achieve better results.
- Then, wipe off using a microfiber cloth or a towel to get rid of soap residue.
QUICK NOTE: Do not rub it too hard. Otherwise, the soap particles might harm the surface and even cause it to crack or be damaged.
The layer of soap can keep both fog and steam from your mirror even after a long hot shower.
In case you were asking about what to put on the bathroom mirror to keep it from fogging, here’s your answer!
Check: Safe Items to Use When Writing on Bathroom Mirror
4. Use Shampoo
Like body soap, hair shampoo is an effective method of keeping fog and steam away from your beautiful bathroom mirror.
The shampoo is a better option than body soap because you can wash it away faster and more conveniently. You wouldn’t need to use special liquids to remove it. It
The only drawback I saw when I tried using shampoo was that I needed to apply a lot of it. It’s a waste in shampoo, especially for larger bathroom mirrors.
To cover the reflective surface, follow these steps:
- First, pour a small amount of shampoo you have on a folded paper towel or microfiber towel.
- Then, wipe the mirror altogether. Cover every corner with the shampoo.
- Clean it off by wiping it using a clean, dry cloth.
QUICK NOTE: You can also use it just on the part you want to keep clear rather than covering the whole surface and wasting shampoo.
Once you’re done with your shower, wipe the remaining shampoo with a dry towel to make sure every bit of shampoo is removed from the mirror. You don’t want a dirty-looking mirror, don’t you?
5. Try Some Dish Soap
Who knew that dish soap has a wider and better use? Other than toiletries, your kitchen products can also help you keep the bathroom mirror away from fog and clouds.
The right mix of dishwashing liquid and water can do the trick better than you imagined.
Take a few droplets of dish soap onto your palm and add water.
Then, lather the solution by rubbing your palms together. After that, wipe the reflective surface of the bathroom mirror with your soapy hands entirely until you’re sure that the area is fully covered.
Once you are done putting the solution on the mirror’s surface, take a dry paper towel and wipe the surface to dry it perfectly. Your mirror shouldn’t steam or fog up so long as the soap is there.
Check: How to Install Bathroom Mirror
6. Apply Vinegar
If you are too skeptical about regular soaps and want something more natural yet effective, then a vinegar solution might be the one for you.
Vinegar has been known to be one of the most valuable things to keep fog and steam at arm’s length from your bathroom mirror.
To make the vinegar solution:
- Take equal parts of white vinegar and distilled water in a spray bottle and shake it well until they are perfectly diluted.
- Then, spray an adequate amount of the mixture directly onto the mirror surface and let it sit for 15-20 seconds before wiping it off with a dry paper towel.
- This can keep your bathroom mirror steam and fog-free for up to three (3) days.
The only downside to it was the smell. The vinegar’s odor crawled up to my bedroom when I left the door open.
So, if the smell of the vinegar seems a bit pungent to your sensitive nose, you can always add a few drops of lemon juice or essential oils to the mixture to keep your bathroom smelling fresh.
7. Use Special Glass Products
Enough of all these DIY solutions. Let’s head on over to the real deal.
This is your list if you’re too skeptical about the effectiveness of using regular household items to keep your bathroom mirror from fogging up.
There are tons of glass specialty products you can choose from, but the best and most sought-after ones include Rain-X, Enduroshield, Aquapel, and other defogging solutions.
In addition to that, you can also use glycerin, which is a non-toxic polyol compound that’s known for its anti-fogging and anti-steam effect.
8. Get Some Fogless Mirrors
Last but most definitely not least is to use fogless mirrors. An anti-fog mirror is something that you can use as a permanent solution to the problem.
Fogless mirrors can be anything from heated, chemical-coated, and even mirrors attached to shower pipes.
How to Defog a Mirror?
Defogging or removing fog from your bathroom mirror is easy. You’ll only need a blow dryer that is on low heat. Plug it in and aim it directly at the glass.
Here’s a quick clip detailing how shaving creams remove the fog from your bathroom mirror:
This works like magic. You’ll see the mist evaporate within seconds!
On the contrary, you can also use some of the things we mentioned above.
You can even use shaving cream! You have to apply the cream to the mirror (a tiny amount will do). Then, wipe it down using a paper towel or a clean, lint-free cloth.
Experts suggest [3] that doing this can keep your mirror from being cloudy for up to three (3) weeks.
If you’re lost and you’re not sure how to clean a cloudy bathroom mirror, here are all the best things you can do!
FAQs on How to Stop Bathroom Mirrors From Fogging Up
Need more info? Here are a few of the most-asked questions about how you can keep your bathroom mirrors from fogging up.
Why Do Bathroom Mirrors Fog Up While Taking a Shower?
The fogging of bathroom mirrors happens when water vapor (steam) condenses on the mirror. This travels through the cold air, landing onto the mirror, and thus, making the surface appear cloudy.
Why Do Shaving Creams Keep Mirrors From Fogging?
Shaving creams are highly aerated, and they can keep the film thin to be seen through. Condensed vapor does not latch onto it, and therefore, it can prevent the phenomenon of fogging up.
Do Anti-Fog Bathroom Mirrors Work?
Yes, anti-fog bathroom mirrors work, and most of them work by warming or heating the mirror. Others work via using a thin film.
Get Rid of Bathroom Mirror Fog Today!
There’s no doubt that seeing your mirror surface with a sheet of fog can be annoying. Luckily, our guide on how to keep bathroom mirrors from fogging up is here.
Have fog-free mirrors even if you take a hot shower! You most certainly have these defogging products at home. So, you can be carefree when your mirror becomes fogged up again!
Resources
1. Steam Condensation – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics [Internet]. www.sciencedirect.com. [cited 2021 Dec 23]. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/steam-condensation
2. How to Keep Your Shower Glass From Fogging [Internet]. Glass.com. 2020 [cited 2021 Dec 23]. Available from: https://info.glass.com/stop-shower-glass-fog/
3. howtocleananything. Foggy Mirrors [Internet]. How To Clean Anything. 2012 [cited 2021 Dec 23]. Available from: http://www.howtocleananything.com/general-cleaning-tips/foggy-mirrors/
If you have more tips on how to keep bathroom mirrors from fogging up, let us know in the comments below!
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Lily is the Editor-in-Chief and one of the writers here on InStraight and ThoseGRACES.com. Growing up with thick hair that has a mind of its own, she’s always been passionate about finding the gentlest yet most effective products to help tame her wild mane. You can find more about her HERE. FOLLOW HER on FACEBOOK.
