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 Soapa. Remember that fatty soap dissolves greasy dirt. The greasier the stain, the stronger the Soapa.

Apply a little Soapa in a pump bottle directly to the stain or onto a damp eco-fiber cloth and wipe clean. The Soapa 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, 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 wipes with the cloth are usually all that’s needed to remove fingerprints—without streaks.

Surfaces where fingerprints tend to 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 Soapa on surfaces painted with linseed oil paint. Linseed oil paint is often used on older fine joinery and traditional building conservation details, not on more modern furniture.

What if it’s not just a fingerprint?

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

Then we recommend looking at our Stain Guide here on the blog. There you’ll find advice on removing many different types of stains gently and effectively.

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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 Soapa on a damp eco-fiber cloth to dissolve the dirt before wiping clean.

2. When should I use Soapa, and when is window cleaner enough?
Use Soapa 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 enough.

3. Which surfaces easily show fingerprints?
Fingerprints are often visible on doors, door frames, handles, light 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 Soapa on surfaces painted with linseed oil paint.