How to clean glasses

Are you wearing glasses right now? With over 177 million Americans needing some kind of vision correction, you’re not alone.

Eyeglasses are important, whether it’s to read, work, drive, or watch your favorite movie. That’s why it’s good to keep them as clean as possible so that your vision is never obscured or blurry. Those kinds of problems lead to headaches or other mishaps.

But do you know how to clean glasses in the right way? The way that doesn’t damage the lens or bend the metal?

Keep reading to learn more about how to keep these important tools at their peak performance for years to come!

1. Wipe Grime Away With Microfiber

We’ve all been in a situation where a small smudge blurs our vision and we need a quick fix. Instead of finding a proper cloth, we go for the edge of our shirt or jacket. It’s easy and in reach, so what’s the problem?

The problem is that this is one of the worst ways to clean your glasses. That shirt is far too rough for the delicate lenses and is a sure way to end up with scratched glasses.

It might take a little extra time to go fetch that microfiber cloth or those single-use lenses wipes, but it’s worth it. Using anything other than those specific soft materials is the same as using smooth sandpaper on your glasses.

2. Never Wipe Dry Glasses

Even when you have the right material to wipe at your glasses, it’s best to avoid rubbing the material on a dry pair of glasses. This is because the small dust particles or other kinds of grime need lubrication to keep from scratching up the lens.

A small spritz of clean water followed by a microfiber cloth does the trick with minimal effort.

For on-the-go purposes, a small spray bottle is a great tool to throw in your bag. Or purchase a set of wet wipes specific for eyeglasses that come prepared for use right out of the box.

3. Dish Soap Works Wonders

When you want to give your glasses a thorough cleaning, use a bit of dish detergent. It’s strong enough to get any grime off while still being gentle enough not to damage the glasses.

Dish soap works great for every part of the glasses, lenses included. The only thing to keep in mind is to use a soft cloth with the detergent, rather than a regular dishcloth.

Even when cleaning something less delicate like the frames, you don’t want a rough cloth bumping into the lens on accident.

4. Always Use Lukewarm Water

A lot of lenses these days have coatings on them, whether it’s anti-scratch or UV protection. If you use water that is too hot, it damages these delicate coatings. It eats away at the coating and shortens its lifespan.

After a short time of using the wrong temperature, you’ll need repairs for your brand new pair of glasses.

Instead, make sure to use lukewarm water whenever you give them a good cleaning to preserve the lens.

5. Stay Away From Strong Detergents

There are a lot of different cleansers and detergents available that do great work on many types of surfaces. When it comes to glasses, however, you need detergents that are gentle.

Stay away from strong detergents like window cleaner, bleach, or vinegar. All these interact with any special coatings on the lenses and could even damage the lens itself.

Also, avoid using saliva or breath to help clean your glasses. The natural substance of saliva and the potential for remnants of food are too high. These will only end up making your glasses dirtier in the long run.

When in doubt, go for dish soap and water. Almost everyone has it available and it’s always a good solution.

6. Keep Them in a Sturdy Case

Although there are a lot of nice cloth cases available, you want to stick to hard cases. This way you can stick them in a bag without worrying about any bent frames or loosened lenses. And you won’t have the cloth rubbing up against the lenses and smudging them.

Plus, a case is a great way to carry an extra microfiber cloth along with you everywhere you go. Fold it up and put it on the bottom of the case, then set your glasses right on top of it.

Next time you need to clean up your glasses, you won’t have to resort to using a less-than-ideal solution.

7. Don’t Wear Them On Top of Your Head

It’s common to see people wearing their sunglasses on top of their head, and sometimes this habit carries over to regular glasses. It’s not a good habit to get into, however.

Your hair and scalp have natural oils that tend to dirty and smudge up your glasses. Every time you move it from your face onto the top of your head, you smear those oils over your lenses.

It’s better to take them off instead!

8. Handle With Both Hands

If you’re new to the glasses world, you might already do this without even thinking. But even those of us who have worn glasses for years should handle our eyeglasses with extra care.

Using both hands gives better stability and safety whenever we take the glasses off or set them down somewhere. The chance of dropping the glasses onto the ground increases by a large margin if you don’t use both hands.

In addition, it makes it easier to not touch the lenses with your fingers if you’re gripping them with both hands.

Never Wonder How to Clean Glasses Again

With these tips to guide you, you’ll always have a pair of eyeglasses that look sparkling clean at all times of the day. And you’ll rest assured that your glasses will stay that way, too. No smudges or dust to hinder your favorite activities.

Plus, the next time your friends and family ask how to clean glasses in a safe way, you’ll be the one with all the answers.

Have any questions? Feel free to contact us at any time at all!