Why is My Mirror Turning Yellow?


Are you wondering why your mirror is turning yellow? If you have been using your mirror for a long time, you might notice that its edges start to turn yellow. What is the reason for this discoloration? Can you prevent mirrors from turning yellow? We will find out the answer below.

Why is my mirror turning yellow? A mirror turns yellow because of the harsh cleaning chemicals that are used, over-exposure to ultraviolet rays, and long-time usage. This usually happens for low-quality mirrors. High-quality mirrors, on the other hand, are extremely durable. They also hold up well in ultraviolet light.

A mirror that is always exposed to moisture and humidity can also turn yellow. Hence, if you plan to place the mirror in the bathroom, it should be waterproof. What are the possible causes for mirrors to turn yellow? How do you repair yellow tints on mirrors? Can mold grow on mirrors? How do you prevent mirrors from turning yellow? Read the rest of the article below to find out the answers.

Why is my mirror turning yellow
Photo by Andrea Davis from Pexels

What are the Possible Causes for Mirrors to Turn Yellow?

Poor ventilation, excessive moisture, changes in temperature, and exposure to chemicals are some of the possible reasons why mirrors turn yellow. Let us find out more about this below.

Ventilation

One of the common reasons why mirrors turn yellow is poor ventilation. Make sure that when installing the mirror, there should be enough space between the mirror and the wall. Take note that if the mirror is installed into the wall without any space between them, moisture can get trapped and the silver backing on the mirror will start to oxidize and cause discoloration.

Moisture

Another reason why mirrors turn yellow is because of moisture. Make sure that the mirror is always dry. Moreover, avoid placing mirrors in areas that are always exposed to water unless they are waterproof. If you need to place mirrors in the bathroom, see to it that there is enough ventilation to get rid of moisture and humidity. You also need to regularly wipe the mirror after every use.

Temperature

The temperature changes can also cause the mirror to turn yellow. Avoid placing the mirror outdoors where it is exposed to the different weather conditions. Keep it in areas where there is a constant temperature. This is because when there is a change in the temperature, the surface of the mirror contracts and expands. This can damage the mirror and it will start to turn yellow.

Chemicals

The chemicals that you are using when cleaning the mirror can also be the reason why it turns yellow. There are cleaning chemicals that include ammonia which can damage the edges and backing of the mirror. Moreover, be careful when using window cleaning liquid because it can also cause damage to the mirror. There are also instances wherein the chemicals from the products that you are using when styling your hair can get to the mirror and cause discoloration.

How to Repair Yellow Tint on Mirrors?

To repair the yellow tint on mirrors, you need to check the level of discoloration, fix the discolored area, and resilver the mirror. You can also use toothpaste, spray paint, or aluminum foil to repair the damage. The breakdown of the silver backing of the mirror can be the cause of its discoloration and why it turns yellow. Below are some of the ways that you can do to repair the damage.

Step 1 – Inspect Discoloration Level

The first step that you need to do is to inspect the level of discoloration on the mirror. Determine what areas are turning yellow and to what extent. If you have a large antique mirror, you should seek the help of a professional to do the repairs. On the other hand, if there is only a small area of the mirror that turns yellow, you can fix it yourself.

Step 2 – Fixing Discolored Areas

Once you have determined the level of discoloration, the next step that you need to do is to fix them. You need to remove the discolored corners before you can start fixing them. It is recommended that you let the professional do the cutting of the mirror as it requires special equipment and skills. Otherwise, you may end up breaking the mirror and hurting yourself. Once the discolored areas are removed, you need to seal the mirror using an edge sealant.

Step 3 – Resilvering

The last step is to resilver the mirror. You can hire a professional to do it, or you can also do it yourself. You need to purchase a re-silvering kit from your local hardware store or you can also purchase it online. When resilvering the mirror, make sure that you do it in an area that is well ventilated. You can also read this article that discusses how to clean a WiFi mirror. We have shared helpful information that you can refer to.

✅ Video – Re-silvering an Old Mirror

Angel Gilding shared the video below on YouTube. It shows how to re-silver an old mirror. In the video, the steps on how to properly re-silver an old mirror are demonstrated. Mirror re-silvering is also discussed. Watch the video for more information.

Option 1 – Use Toothpaste or Aluminum Foil

You can repair small scratches in the mirror that is starting to get yellow using toothpaste or aluminum foil. You can do this by filling in the scratch with toothpaste and buffing it using cotton. On the other hand, if the mirror has a large scratch, you might need to resilver it. For small scratches, you can also use aluminum foil. Take a piece of smooth aluminum foil and use it to cover the scratch by taping it to the back of the mirror.

Option 2 – Use Spray Paint

You can also use spray paint as an alternative to aluminum foil. You can purchase mirror-like spray paint. Spray the entire back of the mirror to remove the yellowish tint. Using spray paint is a fast and effective solution as compared to using toothpaste or aluminum foil. You can also check out this article that discusses if Bluetooth mirrors are worth it. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.

How to Prevent Mirrors from Turning Yellow?

Using the right cleaners and having proper ventilation are some of the things that you can do to prevent mirrors from turning yellow. Do not wait for the mirror to turn yellow before you act to repair it. There is some prevention that you can do. Moreover, you need to make sure that the room is clear of moisture and humidity which can also cause discoloration. Let us learn more about this below.

Leave Space between the Mirror and Wall

When placing the mirror on the wall, make sure that you leave adequate space between them. If there is a lack of ventilation, the mirror can start to turn yellow. The space between the mirror and the wall will allow air to circulate making sure that the surface of the mirror stays dry at all times.

Using the Right Cleaners

It is also important that you use the right cleaner for the mirror. Do not soak the mirror with the cleaning solution because the chemicals can form discoloration. Moreover, do not spray the cleaning solution directly into the mirror. What you should do is spray the cleaner into the cloth and use it to wipe the mirror. Do not use cleaners that contain ammonia because it can dissolve the silver backing of the mirror and can start discoloration. Make sure that you read the manual that comes with the mirror so that you can determine which cleaning products you need to use.

What Causes a Mirror to Rot?

A mirror can rot when the protective coating at the back of it is exposed to different elements such as cleaning solution and moisture. The protective coating of the mirror is important because, without it, the silver nitrate that turns plain glass into mirrors will start to dissolve. You can also read this article that discusses what mirror desilvering is. We have shared helpful information that you can refer to.

Can Old Mirrors be Restored?

Old mirrors can be restored. This can be done by thoroughly cleaning the glass and refinishing the frame. Another way is to resilvering the mirror. This should be done by professionals, especially for large mirrors. On the other hand, the results of mirror resilvering can be unpredictable and it will not fix existing scratches. We have also shared this article titled, what to do with old mirrors? You can check out the article for more tips and information.

Can Mold Grow on Mirrors?

Mold spores can stick to the tiny dust and dirt particles on the mirror. This is why it is very important to clean the mirror regularly. Take note that a clean mirror is not conducive to mold growth because it does not have a porous surface. You can also check out this article that discusses if you can hang a garden mirror on a fence. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.

Conclusion

You have reached the end of this article that discusses why a mirror is turning yellow. We have shared the different reasons why a mirror turns yellow. Above, we have also shared tips and ideas on how to fix mirrors that have turned yellow. Thank you for reading!

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