Wearing glasses regularly means, at some point, you will find they’ve accumulated dirt and grime. Smudged lenses aren’t just unpleasant to look at. Rather, they also interfere with clear vision. Keeping your glasses clean helps preserve their quality and ensures you see clearly without any obstruction.

If you want your glasses to maintain their appearance, you must understand how to clean them effectively. This way, you can also avoid damage in the process, which is more common than assumed. 

A proper cleaning routine also applies to other eyewear like sunglasses, safety glasses, or sports goggles. 

In this blog, we will be outlining: 

  • the correct steps for cleaning your glasses
  • common mistakes to avoid 
  • additional tips for keeping your eyewear in excellent condition

Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Your Glasses

Start by Washing Your Hands

Before you touch your glasses, wash your hands thoroughly. Use a soap that is free of lotion or oils. You don’t want these substances to transfer onto the lenses. Dry your hands with a clean and lint-free towel. This way, you can avoid any debris from getting on the lenses during the process.

Rinse Your Glasses with Water

Hold your glasses under a gentle stream of tap water. This removes dust and other small particles that could otherwise scratch the lenses during cleaning. Use lukewarm, not hot water. The latter might harm special coatings on the lenses, if any.

Apply a Small Amount of Dishwashing Liquid

If you don’t have a special spray meant just for cleaning lenses, use a drop of lotion-free dishwashing liquid. This is useful yet gentle enough for coated lenses. 

Either apply it directly to the lenses or your fingertips before gently spreading it across the lenses and frames. A tiny amount is more than enough.

Clean Every Part of Your Glasses

Rub both sides of the lenses gently and clean all areas of the frame. This would include the nose pads and temples. Pay extra attention to spots where the lenses meet the frame, as dirt and oils tend to build up in these crevices.

Rinse Off the Soap

Rinse the glasses thoroughly under water to remove all traces of soap. Leftover soap can leave streaks or smudges on the lenses. This would defeat the whole purpose of cleaning.

Remove Excess Water

Give your glasses a gentle shake to get rid of water droplets. Check the lenses to make sure they’re clean before drying them fully.

Dry with a Lint-Free Cloth

Only use a clean and lint-free towel to dry your glasses. Don’t use towels that have been washed with fabric softener or dryer sheets. 

These can leave smears on the lenses. Microfiber cloths are an excellent choice for drying, as they are designed just for delicate surfaces.

Inspect the Lenses

Once you are done drying, have a look at your glasses under good lighting. If you notice any streaks or smudges, use a microfiber cloth to remove them.

Quick Cleaning Tips for On-the-Go

If you’re somewhere a sink isn’t available, you can use pre-moistened lens cleaning wipes. 

These wipes are made for eyeglasses and are comfortable to carry along in a bag with you. Avoid using household wipes, though, as they can damage the lens coatings.

Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Glasses

Steer clear of the following mistakes when cleaning your glasses:

  1. Using Clothing to Wipe Lenses: Your shirt or other clothing may feel like a convenient option to you, but even those fibers can scratch the lenses.

     

  2. Using Harsh Cleaning Products: Avoid products like acetone, alcohol-based cleaners, household glass cleaners, etc. Your lenses have protective coatings on them, which these chemicals may strip from the lenses.

     

  3. Using Paper Products: Materials like tissues, paper towels, or napkins may feel soft enough for the job but can also leave scratches and fibers behind.

     

  4. Saliva as a Cleaner: Apart from the fact that saliva is not an effective cleaner for lenses, it’s also unhygienic to use as it will add unwanted bacteria to your lenses.

     

  5. Washing Towels with Fabric Softeners: Fabric softener residue can smear lenses and make cleaning less useful.

     

  6. Rubbing Scratched Lenses: If you try to buff out scratches, it can worsen the damage. Take scratched glasses to a professional for assessment.

Maintaining Sunglasses and Specialty Glasses

Before cleaning your sunglasses or blue-light glasses, take a quick look at the coatings. Make sure to use products that are safe for coated lenses. If you’re not sure, don’t hesitate to reach out to the manufacturer or your optician for help.

The cleaning process for sunglasses is quite similar to that of regular eyeglasses. Rinse and clean with lotion-free dishwashing liquid, and later dry with a lint-free cloth. 

For blue-light-blocking glasses, follow the same routine. Make sure the soap used doesn’t harm the coatings.

Storage and Travel Tips

Proper Storage When Not in Use

Always put your glasses safe and sound in a clean case when you’re not using them. Keep the lenses up so they don’t scratch. 

If a case isn’t available, rest them upside down on a safe surface with the temples open. Never put your glasses face-down on anything.

Keeping Glasses Clean on the Go

Keep a handy glasses cleaning kit with a microfiber cloth and a bottle of lens cleaning spray in it. 

These tools are a lifesaver for quick and effective cleaning on the go. If you travel a lot, think about getting a durable travel case that can keep multiple pairs of glasses safe and sound.

Addressing Scratches and Deep Cleaning

Dealing with Scratches

So far in the blog, we’ve been explaining how to avoid scratches and what leads to them. Now we explain why it’s so important: scratches interfere with your vision. You may find it distorted or blurred. They also compromise lens durability. 

Scratches can’t be removed fully. Products that claim to fix scratches mostly have wax that may temporarily mask the damage but doesn’t resolve it. If your lenses are scratched, talk to your optician about replacement options. Go for lenses that come with a scratch-resistant coating and you can go a longer time without replacement. 

Professional Cleaning Services

At home, use cotton swabs for tough-to-reach areas, such as hinges, and where the lenses meet the frame. But if your glasses need a deeper clean, or the frames are particularly dirty, visit an optician. 

Many optical stores have ultrasonic cleaning devices that can remove stubborn grime. They may also replace worn or discolored nose pads and restore your glasses to near-new condition.

Daily and Weekly Cleaning Schedules

To get the best results, clean your glasses lightly every day and perform a more thorough cleaning once a week. This routine will keep dirt and oils from building up and lower the chances of scratches.

When to Replace Your Glasses

Glasses do not last indefinitely. As time passes, scratches and everyday wear can mess up the lenses and frames. If your prescription changes or your lenses are really damaged, it might be time for a new pair. 

Don’t keep using the scratched lenses; they may cause you strain. Many optical stores offer warranties for scratch-resistant coatings, so ask about those when you buy new glasses.

Additional Care for Long-Term Maintenance

  1. Routine Lens Checks

Check your glasses regularly for signs of wear or loose screws. Tighten loose screws with a small eyeglass repair kit to keep your frames secure. If you don’t follow regular maintenance, it can turn minor issues into costly repairs.

  1. Handling with Care

You must use both hands when taking your glasses off or putting them on so as to avoid bending the frame. Never rest glasses on your head, as this can change the shape of the frame over time.

  1. Environmental Considerations

Don’t leave your glasses in extreme heat or cold, such as on a car dashboard or near heating vents. Temperature fluctuations can warp the frame or damage lens coatings.

  1. Regular Professional Checkups

Be regular and schedule annual visits to your optometrist. During these appointments, the optician can assess your glasses’ condition. If needed, they’ll also update your prescriptions and recommend new frames.

Add these simple habits into your daily routine, and you’ll keep your eyewear looking great while keeping your vision sharp. Glasses are a big investment in your eyesight, and taking care of them is a must.

Choosing the Right Glasses and Services

If you aren’t sure if your glasses need professional cleaning or replacement, don’t hesitate to visit a qualified eye care professional to be confident. Professional advice is always better than staying in doubt and risking perfect vision.

At Jackson Davenport Vision Center, you’ll find a variety of frames for all styles and needs. Our team of professionals extends expert advice and personalized service to make sure you find the glasses that you’re looking for. In all our offerings, you’ll notice we compromise on neither smart looks nor functionality.

Highly skilled optometrists, customer-focused staff, and experienced technicians work to get you top-notch vision care. We’re committed to providing you with exceptional service and access to the latest in eyewear technology. Get in touch with us today.