Is there a technique to make a shower mirror fog-free?

Question

We want to install a permanent mirror in a new shower, but hope to find a permanent way to prevent it from fogging up.

I have seen gooseneck mirrors that hook up to the showerhead itself so as to run hot water behind the mirror, which supposedly prevents fogging, but I'm wondering if there's a way to do a permanent installation. I'm imagining maybe building in a mirror to the wall of the shower and somehow running the hot water pipes behind it. Would that work? Have you ever seen anything like this? Or is there a better way to get a fog-free mirror experience in the shower?

if you put it in the wall you can heat it with a electric element even. just to keep it 40/50deg celcuis. — Piotr Kula, Jul 29 '11 at 07:59

score 22 · Answer 1 · answered Jul 29 '11 at 08:57

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Yes, install heating cable behind the mirror - it will heat the mirror and water will not condense on the mirror. Heating cable manufacturers even offer some special kits for that - like this one from DEVI.

answered Jul 29 '11 at 08:57

sharptooth

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Is it really safe to install electrical appliances in a shower? – Spike Jul 31 '11 at 22:59
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@Spike: Heating cables for such installations feature multiple layers of insulation and even a surrounding wire mesh that can (and should) be grounded. Add to this "differential" circuit breakers - and risk of electric shock becomes lower than risk of falling and getting a head injury that way. Electric water heaters don't make you worry, do they? – sharptooth Aug 01 '11 at 05:16
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@sharpooth: No, that sounds about perfect. The picture on the Devi site had it behind a sink. I didn't know it would be rated for inside showers. Also, just about everything makes me worry. I worry. I'm a worrier. – Spike Aug 01 '11 at 10:58
@sharptooth - We needn't worry about electric water heaters because the drum of the water heater and the plumbing has a good path to ground. You cannot say the same about a mirror in a shower - the human could easily be the best path to ground. I'm not saying that the mirror heaters are dangerous, I'm just saying it's not apples-to-apples wrt electrocution risk. – alx9r Dec 13 '12 at 06:44
@alx9r: You can't be sure about what the plumbing is made of and how exactly it is laid in the ground. It can be made of plastic and therefore ungrounded. What you claim is a common misconception that sometimes causes electrocution. – sharptooth Dec 13 '12 at 07:14
@sharptooth - Good point about plumbing not necessarily being grounded. But are you saying that the tanks/drums of water heaters aren't grounded either? – alx9r Dec 13 '12 at 07:22
@alx9r: They should be, but that doesn't mean they actually are. Anyway claiming it is grounded just because it's connected to plumbing is damn wrong. – sharptooth Dec 13 '12 at 07:26
@sharptooth - That's not the heart of my claim at all. Rather, my claim is that water heaters have a metal chassis in contact with water in close proximity to the electric heating element that is meant to provide a good path to ground in case of failure. And that in a normal installation where the chassis is grounded a la electrical code, that grounding is the primary means of electrocution prevention. And that similar electrocution prevention by grounding is not possible for a heated mirror because there is no chassis to ground. – alx9r Dec 13 '12 at 15:26
@alx9r: That's not what should be relied upon as grounding. Water might be not there, water conductivity can vary depending on salts concentration. – sharptooth Dec 14 '12 at 07:36
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@Spike -- As we jokingly say in chat frequently: Everything is grounded in the shower. – Chris Cudmore May 10 '13 at 15:04
A heating cable is a lot of effort if in an inaccessible place. Fog-x is a good short term fix – user173403 May 12 '13 at 06:54

score 17 · Answer 2 · edited May 10 '13 at 14:56

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I'm unaware of any permanent solutions, but there are quick fixes available in the auto and dental industry. Dentists use anti-fogging solution like this or this.

I know a guy who uses Rain-X Interior Glass Anti-Fog on his car mirrors. Would probably work inside a shower, too.

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edited May 10 '13 at 14:56

samthebrand

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answered Jul 29 '11 at 02:26

Spike

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I've used Fog-X it on mirrors and sliding glass doors in my hot tub room. Works well, lasts a few months. – shirlock homes Jul 29 '11 at 23:44

score 8 · Answer 3 · answered Jul 29 '11 at 12:00

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For the truly DIY solution, you can clean the mirror with soapy water. The layer of soap helps reduce the fog. It also tends to be the nearest cleaner when you're in the shower.

answered Jul 29 '11 at 12:00

BMitch

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Actually, dish detergent is better than bath soap; it doesn't leave a soap scum film. – KeithS Jul 29 '11 at 20:10
Shaving cream is supposed to work too. Might be worth a shot – electricsauce Aug 01 '11 at 03:26
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I've also heard spit works well. – evil otto Aug 05 '11 at 20:04

score 6 · Answer 4 · edited Jul 29 '11 at 12:08

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A good ventilation fan, to remove the steam is the first step. Then you need a heated mirror, or try to putting a floor heating mat behind the mirror. If the mirror is warmer then the tiles then most condensation will form on the tiles rather then mirror.

edited Jul 29 '11 at 12:08

Tester101

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answered Jul 29 '11 at 10:38

Walker

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score 2 · Answer 5 · edited May 10 '13 at 22:42

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I purchased a mirror that has a water reservoir in the back. You fill it with hot water when you start your shower and it will never fog. I've been using it for a few years and I love it.

edited May 10 '13 at 22:42

Niall C.

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answered May 10 '13 at 22:10

Smooth shaver

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score 2 · Answer 6 · answered May 11 '13 at 12:49

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I've learned a little trick to this: Water vapor only condenses on colder surfaces so holding the mirror under the hot shower until it has warmed up will make it no longer fog up.

answered May 11 '13 at 12:49

Daniel Smith

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score 1 · Answer 7 · answered May 10 '13 at 21:25

It's not a permanent solution, but an easy solution is to get yourself a facial scrub that has glycerin in it. (A lot of them do. Get one that's a gel, not a cream.) Take a little dab of that and rub it on the mirror, and it'll stay fog-free for the duration of your shower. Bonus: Maybe it'll help encourage you to use a proper facial scrub rather than just using regular soap. :)

As someone else said above, though, spit does also work, though of course is a bit grosser.

score 1 · Answer 8 · edited May 11 '13 at 14:56

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Low voltage plastic mats which can be installed behind mirror. No danger of electrocution. They can also be used under any flooring.

edited May 11 '13 at 14:56

Niall C.

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answered May 11 '13 at 14:38

Tim

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Please see the [faq#promotion] for the rules on self-promotion on this site. – Niall C. May 11 '13 at 14:56

score 0 · Answer 9 · edited May 10 '13 at 22:41

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Spray some WD-40 on the mirror, then wipe it off.

edited May 10 '13 at 22:41

Niall C.

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answered May 10 '13 at 21:58

user12950

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I'm not so sure this is a good idea. I've heard of WD-40 having a reaction with the reflective substance on some mirrors. – ShoeMaker May 11 '13 at 11:49

score 0 · Answer 10 · edited May 11 '13 at 04:26

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Just spit on your mirror and smear it all over it every time before you get out of the shower. I tried all the above a long time ago and did the spit as an experiment and it worked! When you pick up your mirror to use it just give it a rinse under the water and no fog the entire use. Promise.

edited May 11 '13 at 04:26

Niall C.

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answered May 11 '13 at 04:02

Tucker

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score 0 · Answer 11 · edited May 12 '13 at 05:24

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Toothpaste; not one with baking soda though. It works on diving masks too!

edited May 12 '13 at 05:24

Niall C.

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answered May 12 '13 at 02:48

Kris J

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Please explain exactly how you use the toothpaste. – Niall C. May 12 '13 at 05:24
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I recall hearing this somewhere else, but I agree you need to offer some more details. – ShoeMaker May 12 '13 at 10:52

score 0 · Answer 12 · answered Oct 07 '14 at 01:30

Okay, probably way too late now... And maybe too complex, but...

Run the hot water supply through some copper pipe and snake it back and forth behind the mirror which is thermally connected to the pipe, with something. I haven't worked that out yet.

Ben Welborn · Answer 13 · 2016-05-11T13:07:48.353

Use toothpaste or shaving cream. Wipe it on, then wipe it off. The mirror will not fog up after treatment for at least several showers. Tooth paste seems to last longer than shaving cream, but it is harder to wipe off. Also, don't use abrasive (usually white) toothpaste for this... use the gel kind.

Put the toothpaste or shaving cream on the mirror when it is dry (not humid). wipe it off with a dry cloth or towel. Don't rinse it off with water.

And one other solution is to use a hair dryer before or after fogging. If used before showering, then the mirror will be warm which will prevent condensation.

Is there a technique to make a shower mirror fog-free?

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