How to clean glass and mirror wardrobe doors

Glass and mirror doors turn an ordinary wardrobe into an elegant statement piece, but they need proper care to stay looking their best. At Techne, we offer four aluminium-frame door options: clear glass, smoked glass, clear mirror, and smoked mirror. Each looks stunning when spotless — and each loses its appeal when fingerprints and dust build up. Here is how to keep them in perfect condition.

Which products to use

The basic rule is simple: use a specialist glass cleaner or an isopropyl alcohol-based solution. Standard commercial glass sprays work well on all four surface types. If you prefer a natural alternative, mix equal parts distilled water and white vinegar — the result is equally effective and leaves no lingering odour once dry.

For wiping, choose microfibre cloths. They trap dust and grease without scratching the surface and without leaving lint. Avoid paper towels and cotton cloths — they deposit fibres that are especially visible on mirrors and smoked glass.

Products to avoid

Never use abrasive products: scouring powder, rough sponges, or textured cloths. These scratch glass and mirror surfaces irreversibly. Also avoid concentrated ammonia-based products on mirrors — over time, ammonia can deteriorate the reflective coating on the back of the mirror, creating dark spots around the edges.

Additionally, never spray product directly onto the aluminium frame and let it run down onto the glass. Always spray onto the cloth, not directly onto the door surface — this controls the amount of liquid and prevents it from seeping into the door tracks.

The streak-free method, step by step

Start by removing dust from the surface with a dry microfibre cloth. This step prevents scratching when you apply the cleaning solution. Then spray the product onto a clean cloth and wipe the surface in S-shaped strokes, working from top to bottom. Avoid circular motions — they redistribute dirt rather than removing it.

After the first pass, take a second dry microfibre cloth and polish the surface with horizontal strokes. This final step removes any remaining liquid traces and produces an even shine. On smoked glass and smoked mirror, this final polish is essential — the dark tone makes every streak far more visible than on clear glass.

Tips for each surface type

Clear glass is the most forgiving — fingerprints are less visible, and cleaning is quick. A weekly wipe is sufficient under normal conditions.

Smoked glass shows every fingerprint due to its dark tone. We recommend cleaning twice a week if the wardrobe is in a high-traffic area such as a hallway or main bedroom.

Clear mirror requires extra care at the edges. Excess liquid that reaches the mirror edge can seep behind the reflective layer. Use small amounts of product and focus on the central area.

Smoked mirror combines the mirror's edge sensitivity with the streak visibility of dark surfaces. It demands the most care of all four options — but also looks the most striking when clean.

How often to clean

For bedroom wardrobes, a thorough weekly clean is ideal. Between cleans, a quick 30-second pass with a dry microfibre cloth removes accumulated dust and maintains the fresh look. For hallway wardrobes or dressing rooms with heavy daily traffic, increase the frequency to twice a week.

An extra tip: if you have young children or pets, keep a microfibre cloth inside the wardrobe on an accessible shelf. This lets you wipe away fingerprints as soon as they appear, without waiting for your scheduled clean.

Caring for the aluminium frame

The aluminium door frame does not require special products. A damp cloth with warm water and a few drops of washing-up liquid is enough. Dry immediately after wiping to prevent limescale marks. Do not use chlorine-based or acidic products on aluminium — these can oxidise the finish.

Choose the door type that suits your style in our 3D configurator — all four glass and mirror options are available on aluminium-frame doors. Design your wardrobe exactly how you want it and see the result in real time.