Return

Best Way to Clean Eyeglasses

best way to clean eye glasses

The eyes are an important part of our body that help us interact with the world around us. As such, it’s always a good idea to care for our eyes as much as possible to preserve their function into our later years. But for those with myopia or other vision issues, a pair of eyeglasses is often an extension of the eyes and should be properly cleaned and cared for.

Wearing dirty eyeglasses is never a good idea, as when you have grease or debris stuck on your lenses, you are predisposing yourself to health issues such as headaches and eye strain. In the long run, this may negatively impact your eyesight.

At Seasons Retirement, the overall well-being of our residents is our utmost priority. We provide transportation for our older adults to and from their eye care appointments.

This article will discuss the best way to clean eyeglasses and the mistakes to avoid when cleaning your glasses.

Items for Cleaning Your Glasses

Before cleaning your glasses, ensure you have all the necessary supplies within your reach. The following are the items you need to wipe your glasses clean:

    1. Dishwashing liquid or eyeglasses cleaning solution
    2. Running water at a lukewarm temperature 
    3. Hand soap 
    4. Lint-free or microfiber towel

How to Clean Your Eyeglasses in 5 Easy Steps

Cleaning a pair of eyeglasses is not challenging, as it requires very little effort. However, you have to exercise great care and precision to get the best results. Here’s how to properly clean your glasses:

   1. Wash and dry your hands

The first step in cleaning your eyeglasses is washing and drying your hands, as you do not want to smear the frames with oil or dirt from your skin during the process.

Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and clean water before drying them with a neat, lint-free towel or cloth.

   2. Rinse off the glasses with running water

Hold your glasses — both frame and lenses — under a tap of lukewarm water. Slightly warm water is most suitable for removing dust and dirt from your eyeglasses without the risk of damaging the special coatings on the lenses.

   3. Squeeze a drop of dishwashing liquid on each lens

Placing a drop of dishwashing liquid on each lens is the next step on how to properly clean glasses. After adding the soap, gently caress it over the lenses and whole frame. Pay extra attention to the parts of the eyeglasses that come in contact with your skin, including the nose pads, temples, and temple tips.

Note that not all dishwashing liquids should be used to clean your eyeglasses, especially if your glasses have been prepared with anti-glare and anti-dust coatings. Using certain stronger dishwashing liquids can remove these coatings, leaving your eyeglasses more prone to dust and dirt building up on the lenses, and removing the glare protection properties.

If you don’t have a suitable dishwashing liquid, you should consider using an eyeglasses cleaning solution. However, ensure you don’t overuse the solution and that the product is approved for use on lens coatings.

   4. Rinse the cleaning solution off

For the second time, hold your glasses under running water to wash off the soap on the lenses and frame. Rinse thoroughly to ensure all traces of cleaning solution or soap have been removed.

   5. Dry your eyeglasses with a clean, lint-free towel

This final step is just as crucial as the first one, as you don’t want to leave specks of cotton lint on the glasses. Make sure to gently dab your eyeglasses dry with a clean microfiber towel.

After drying, hold your glasses up towards light to look for any grit or smudge you may have missed.

5 Useful Tips in Cleaning Your Eyeglasses 

The steps mentioned above are the best way to clean eyeglasses. Now, here are a few tips you might find helpful during the cleaning process, and they include:

  • Wipe out the dirt trapped in the tiny spaces of your frame — such as the hinges, pad arms, and nose pads — with a cotton swab just before the first rinse.
  • Before using the microfiber towel, make sure it is clean as it easily collects dust. Using a dirty cloth will be ineffective because it will likely leave dirt on the glasses.
  • Always rinse your eyeglasses before any serious wiping and cleaning. This will help moisten the debris and prevent scratches on the lenses and frame.
  • Endeavour to give your eyeglasses a quick, light cleaning every day. This will help reduce the dirt for the more thorough cleaning sessions.
  • If your tap discharges hard water, you should consider distilling it before using it to clean your eyeglasses.

6 Things Not To Do When Cleaning Your Glasses

    1. Don’t rub your lenses with any part of your shirt or any clothing at all. Clothing fabric isn’t designed to wipe glasses lenses as they can scratch them.
    2. Avoid using any cleaning products other than dishwashing liquid or eyeglasses cleaning solution. Remember, the best solution for cleaning eyeglasses should always be safe for polycarbonate lenses and lens coatings, and they do not contain acetone.
    3. Avoid using paper towels, tissue paper, or napkins to wipe your lenses. While these products often have a soft texture, they can still scratch your lenses and may leave particles on the glasses.
    4. When cleaning your microfiber towels, avoid using fabric softener or dryer sheets. They often leave residue on the towel, reducing the effectiveness of your cleaning process.
    5. During daily cleaning sessions, avoid wiping your glasses with saliva. Whether you’re in a hurry or not, cleaning your glasses with spit is bad and will result in the growth of mouth germs on the surface. Moreover, saliva might even worsen the smudge you are trying to get off.
    6. Don’t try to remedy a scratch during cleaning, as this will only make the situation worse. Once your lenses are scratched, it is best to replace them.

When To Get Your Eyeglasses Professionally Cleaned

If, after several cleaning sessions, you still notice an accumulation of greasy dirt around your glasses’ nose pads or temples, professional cleaning may be necessary. Also, if you notice consistent breakouts on the face parts that your glasses touch, you should have them professionally cleaned.

Many opticians, optometrists, and eyeglass retailers offer professional cleaning services for eyeglasses. You might even get a free cleaning service from the store where you bought your glasses.

Conclusion

Cleaning eyeglasses should be an essential part of your older adult’s daily routine. Aside from improving your older one’s eyesight, following these instructions on the best way to clean eyeglasses will help keep eye infections and skin issues at bay.

Discover Life at Seasons. Book a Personal Visit Today.