Stains and Fingerprints – How to Remove Them Easily

Fingerprints and sticky marks appear everywhere. Small children’s hands that have held a sandwich and then touch the patio door, fingers on the mirror, a hand that has been in the engine compartment and then opened the door or touched the white-painted door frame – suddenly, marks are visible everywhere.

Fortunately, most fingerprints can be removed quickly with the right method.

When it’s really sticky

Has someone touched jam, chocolate, ice cream, or other sticky food before putting their hand on the door? Or has someone been in the garage and left oily handprints on the door frame?

Then you first need to dissolve the dirt with soap. Keep in mind that fatty soap dissolves greasy dirt. – The greasier the stain, the stronger the soap.

Apply a little Soap in a pump bottle directly to the stain or onto a damp eco-fiber cloth and wipe clean. The soap effectively dissolves grease and dirt without being unnecessarily harsh, while the eco-fiber cloth helps lift the dirt from the surface. Finish with a dry cloth or paper towel if you want a completely dry and even finish. If the surface is glossy, finish with window cleaner.

When it’s just ordinary fingerprints

On glass, mirrors, and other smooth surfaces, considerably less is often enough.

Use a microfiber cloth or a window cloth together with Window Cleaner. A few sprays and a couple of passes with the cloth are usually all that’s needed to remove fingerprints – without streaks.

Surfaces where fingerprints often collect

It’s easy to forget how many places we actually touch every day. Take an extra look at:

• Doors and door frames

• Trim

• Handles

• Light switches/Switches

• Glass tables

• Coffee tables with glass or high-gloss surfaces

• Mirrors

• Windows and patio doors

• Appliances with glossy fronts

• Kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors

• TV screens and other high-gloss surfaces (always use a lightly dampened microfiber cloth and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations)

A little regular wiping makes a big difference and also makes deep cleaning considerably easier. Just remember not to use soap on surfaces painted with linseed oil paint. Linseed oil paint is often used on older fine carpentry and heritage-preservation details, not on more modern furniture.

What if it’s more than just a fingerprint?

Sometimes it turns out that the mark is a real stain – perhaps from coffee, wine, ink, grease, or something else entirely.

In that case, we recommend taking a look at our Stain Guide here on the blog. There you’ll find advice on how to remove many different types of stains in a gentle and effective way.

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Questions and answers

 

1. How do I remove fingerprints from doors, mirrors, and other surfaces?
Ordinary fingerprints on glass, mirrors, and other smooth surfaces usually disappear with Window Cleaner and a microfiber or window cloth. If the fingerprints are sticky or greasy, use Soap on a damp eco-fiber cloth instead to dissolve the dirt before wiping clean.

2. When should I use soap, and when is window cleaner enough?
Use Soap when the fingerprints contain grease or sticky residue, for example from food, oil, or dirty hands. For ordinary fingerprints on glass and other glossy surfaces, Window Cleaner and a suitable cloth are usually sufficient.

3. Which surfaces easily get fingerprints?
Fingerprints often show on doors, door frames, handles, switches, mirrors, windows, patio doors, glass tables, high-gloss surfaces, cabinet doors, and glossy appliances. Regular wiping makes them easy to keep clean. However, avoid using soap on surfaces painted with linseed oil paint.