How To Look After and Clean Your Glasses

Just like anything you wear daily, your glasses will get dirty. And let’s be honest, smudged lenses aren’t helpful - they make it harder to see. Your glasses go through a lot - from protecting your eyes against the elements to picking up sweat and oils from your skin. Over time, dirt, dust, and grime build up on your glasses and sunglasses. Regular cleaning keeps your vision clear and helps your glasses last longer, so it's very important you do it properly.

Some methods can damage the lenses - even those with scratch-resistant coating. Fortunately, learning how to clean your glasses will prevent this and keep your frames looking pristine. Follow these guidelines to thoroughly clean your glasses without harming their delicate parts. Here, our experts at Glasses2you share top tips for keeping your specs in great condition.

How To Clean Glasses Easily

Cleaning your glasses is a simple process. You don’t need expensive products or expertise to clean them. You just need a sink, lint-free cloths or towels, and hand soap or lotion-free dish soap. Let us break down the steps for you.

1. Start by washing your hands

   In order to avoid transferring any dirt or oil from your skin to your eyewear, washing your hands well before dealing with your glasses is important. Use soap to wash your hands (avoid lotions or additives, as they could leave smudges) and a lint-free towel to dry them.

2. Rinse glasses with lukewarm water

   Hold your glasses under the tap and thoroughly clean them, including the lenses. Warm water is the best way to remove dust and grime. However, keep it from getting too hot to safeguard them from damaging any protective coatings on the lenses.

3. Apply a drop of dish soap (lotion-free) to each lens and gently rub it around the lens and frame

   One drop per lens is sufficient to clean your glasses. Spread the soap evenly around both sides of the lens and frame with your fingertips. Concentrate on the places that make the greatest contact with your skin, such as the nose pads and temples. If you do not have dish soap, you can use a glass cleaner instead. Just make sure it's safe for lens coatings and do not apply too much.

4. Rinse your glasses again

   Once you are satisfied with the cleaning, you can start the re-rinse process. Place your glasses under the running water to remove the soap.

5. After cleaning your glasses, use a lint-free towel or microfibre cloth to dry them

   At this last stage, it’s important that the cloth doesn’t leave behind any lint or dust. After a quick drying, put your glasses up to the light to see whether there is any lingering dust or smudges. You should be OK if they look clean. However, if you find any residual dirt, you must repeat steps 3 and 4 again.

How Should You Clean the Frames of Your Glasses

Here are a few simple steps to clean the frames of your glasses.

• If you want to keep your glasses free of germs and grime, you should clean the frames as well as the lenses.
• Use a soft cloth and warm, soapy water to clean the frames.
• Always hold your glasses by the frames' sides to keep them from breaking or distorting.
• The ideal solution is a mild dish soap or hand wash to clean your glasses, but if you do not have one, you can use a specific solution.
• After finishing up, use a microfibre or soft lens towel to dry your spectacles and maintain their pristine appearance.

What is the Best Way to Clean Your Glasses

Cleaning your glasses on a regular basis is important, but here are some additional techniques to keep your lenses and frames as clean as possible.

If you encounter dirt in hard-to-reach areas, such as where the frame meets the lenses or around the hinges, it's important to address these spots before washing your glasses. Removing stubborn particles from these areas can prevent them from going unnoticed and potentially causing damage.

Glasses with nose pads require additional care due to their close contact with your skin, which can lead to the accumulation of more germs. Gently wipe the nose pads with a soft cloth, and for a more thorough clean, use a disposable damp towelette with rubbing alcohol specifically on the nose pads, avoiding contact with the rest of the frame.

To ensure the effectiveness of your cleaning routine, wash your microfibre cloths regularly. While these cloths are excellent for capturing dust, a soiled cloth can spread dirt instead of removing it.

Always rinse your glasses with water before applying any cleaning solutions or rubbing them. Cleaning dry glasses can scratch or smear the lenses, worsening the situation. For optimal clarity and cleanliness, incorporate a quick daily cleaning routine and a more thorough clean once a week. This will help keep your lenses and frames free of smudges, ensuring clear vision at all times.

What are the Worst Ways to Clean Your Glasses?

Now that you know how to clean your glasses properly, you should know what to avoid to keep them in good condition. Here are some important things not to do:

To keep your lenses in top condition, avoid using clothing such as shirts or sweaters to clean them. Fabric not designed for lens cleaning can scratch or damage the surface of your glasses. Instead, opt for mild dish soap or a dedicated glasses cleaning solution, as acetone, alcohol, and regular glass cleaners can harm the special coatings on your lenses.

Additionally, refrain from using saliva to wipe your lenses, as it introduces bacteria and fails to clean effectively. If you have hard tap water, consider using distilled water to avoid mineral deposits. Never clean your lenses with disposable paper products like paper towels, toilet paper, tissue paper, or napkins, as they can scratch and leave residues.

Avoid dryer sheets and fabric softeners when washing cleaning cloths, as these can also cause smearing. If you notice scratches on your lenses, resist the urge to rub or buff them, which might worsen the damage. Instead, consult an optometrist if the scratches affect your vision.

Additionally, steer clear of using hand sanitiser on your glasses, as the alcohol can damage protective coatings and pose a risk of getting sanitiser in your eyes. For a safe and effective cleaning method, use warm, soapy water.

Avoiding these mistakes can help keep your glasses clean and in excellent shape, resulting in clear vision and longer-lasting eyewear.

Different Glasses & Different Scenarios

Properly cleaning your glasses extends their life and prevents germs from spreading to your face. Here's how to handle different scenarios and clean different kinds of glasses.

How To Clean Sunglasses

Cleaning sunglasses is very similar, if not the same, as cleaning ordinary glasses. Rinse them with warm water and a little dishwashing liquid. Make sure you use lens-safe soap or cleaning solution.

How To Clean Blue Light Glasses

You can clean blue light glasses in the same way you would clean normal glasses. Rinse them and use a mild soap that will not affect the lens coatings.

Professional Cleaning

Some opticians and optometrists provide extensive cleaning services using specialised machinery. If your home cleaning is insufficient, you can choose to see an eye care specialist for a full, deep clean of your glasses.

Cleaning while Travelling

If you do not have access to a sink, try a glasses cleaning kit that includes spray and a microfibre cloth. Simply spray and clean your lenses and frames as required. If you have many pairs of glasses, consider using a travel case.

Use an alcohol-free spray cleaner on your glasses if you find yourself in a sticky situation while you are on the go. Sunglasses, protective eyewear, and sports glasses are all compatible with this. Blowing lightly on each lens will first remove any dust or other contaminants. After that, use a microfibre towel to dry the lenses after spraying them with the cleanser.

How to Care for Your Glasses

While smudges and mishaps can happen at any time, there are several basic procedures you can take to keep your glasses in good condition for as long as possible:

Handling Your Glasses

To prevent straining on the lenses, always hold your glasses by their frames with both hands. When storing them, turn them upside down and lay the bridge on the surface. This helps to avoid scratches and keep top-heavy frames from toppling over.

Storing Your Glasses

Keep your glasses in their case to prevent them from being dusty, dirty, or damaged. Avoid leaving them in heated settings, like near a heater or in a hot vehicle, as heat might bend the lenses or destroy any special coatings. When you are not using your glasses, store them in a clean case or bag with the lenses facing upward. This protects against scratches and keeps them clean also.

Cleaning Your Glasses Regularly

Use lens cleaners specifically developed to maintain your glasses. Regular cleaning helps to extend the life of your lenses and keep them clear.

Find out more about caring for your glasses on our glasses care support page. If you have any other questions about your glasses or about the glasses we sell, get in touch with our team today, we'd be happy to help!