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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?

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    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, 2011 at 7:59
  • rub potato on the mirror
    – Premraj
    May 7, 2015 at 6:00

13 Answers 13

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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.

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  • Is it really safe to install electrical appliances in a shower?
    – Spike
    Jul 31, 2011 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 1, 2011 at 5:16
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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 1, 2011 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, 2012 at 6:44
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    @Spike -- As we jokingly say in chat frequently: Everything is grounded in the shower. May 10, 2013 at 15:04
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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.

enter image description here

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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. Jul 29, 2011 at 23:44
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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.

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    Actually, dish detergent is better than bath soap; it doesn't leave a soap scum film.
    – KeithS
    Jul 29, 2011 at 20:10
  • Shaving cream is supposed to work too. Might be worth a shot Aug 1, 2011 at 3:26
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    I've also heard spit works well.
    – evil otto
    Aug 5, 2011 at 20:04
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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    Please see the faq for the rules on self-promotion on this site.
    – Niall C.
    May 11, 2013 at 14:56
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Spray some WD-40 on the mirror, then wipe it off.

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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, 2013 at 11:49
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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.

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

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    Please explain exactly how you use the toothpaste.
    – Niall C.
    May 12, 2013 at 5:24
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    I recall hearing this somewhere else, but I agree you need to offer some more details.
    – ShoeMaker
    May 12, 2013 at 10:52
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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.

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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.

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