I Rubbed Toothpaste on My Bathroom Mirror and Didn’t Expect This
Every time I took a hot shower, the same thing happened. The mirror would completely fog over, and I would end up wiping it down with a towel just to see my reflection. Within minutes, the condensation would return, and the cycle would repeat.
I never questioned it. I assumed foggy mirrors were just part of having a hot shower.
But instead of clearing the mirror afterward, I wanted to see if I could prevent it from fogging at all. That’s when I came across the idea of using toothpaste as an anti-fog treatment.
I decided to test it properly.
Why Mirrors Fog
When hot shower steam hits a cooler mirror surface, water vapor condenses into tiny droplets. These droplets scatter light, which is what makes the mirror appear cloudy.
If you can change how water forms on the surface, you can reduce that dense layer of condensation.
Toothpaste, surprisingly, creates a thin film on glass that alters how moisture spreads.
How I Tested It
I applied about a tablespoon of plain white toothpaste to a microfiber cloth and rubbed it onto only one half of the mirror. I wanted a direct comparison rather than guessing whether it worked.
The toothpaste felt slightly sticky while spreading, and the mirror looked hazy at first. After covering the surface evenly, I buffed it off with a clean cloth until the glass looked clear again. It wasn’t perfect showroom glass, but it was clean and transparent.
To properly test it, I took a hot shower with the bathroom door closed and the fan turned off.
The Results
The untreated half of the mirror fogged up completely within minutes.
The side treated with toothpaste behaved differently. Instead of forming a dense layer of condensation, it developed only a light haze that didn’t block visibility. I could clearly see my reflection without wiping anything down.
The difference between the two halves was obvious.
The toothpaste did not eliminate steam. It changed how moisture interacted with the surface.
Why It Works
After buffing, toothpaste leaves behind a very thin residue that reduces surface tension. That subtle film prevents water from forming tightly packed droplets, which is what creates thick fog.
Instead, moisture spreads more evenly and evaporates faster, resulting in a clearer surface.
It follows the same basic principle as anti-fog treatments used for goggles and glass.
How Long It Lasted
The effect remained noticeable for about a week. Gradually, the mirror began to fog normally again.
If you clean the mirror with glass cleaner, the protective layer is removed and you need to reapply the toothpaste.
What to Use and What to Avoid
Use standard white toothpaste.
Avoid gel formulas, heavy whitening pastes, or anything with strong abrasives. The goal is to leave a light film, not to scratch the surface.
Make sure to buff thoroughly so the mirror looks clear before testing.
Other Options That Work the Same Way
If toothpaste feels unconventional, similar results can be achieved with:
- A thin layer of dish soap, buffed off
- Shaving cream, applied and wiped clean
- Commercial anti-fog sprays designed for glass surfaces
All of them work by reducing surface tension and preventing dense condensation buildup.
The Takeaway
Foggy mirrors are not inevitable. They happen because of how condensation forms on glass.
Applying a thin layer of toothpaste changes that interaction, making it possible to step out of a hot shower and still see your reflection clearly.
It takes only a few minutes to apply and lasts about a week, which makes it one of the simplest bathroom fixes I’ve tested.