5 Best Ways To Clean Your Glasses Lens and Frame
July 29, 2024 • 1:49 PM
Dirty eyeglasses are a bummer — they’re distracting, but they can also make you look a bit messy. With that in mind, keeping your frames and lenses clean should become a daily habit.
We’re diving into our five favorite ways to clean eyeglasses —both the lenses and the frames — with some supplies you might already have around the house.
1. Dish Soap and Water
This method is one of the quickest and simplest ways to clean your glasses.
Dish soap is gentle enough to refresh fragile eyeglass lenses, and, when used correctly, it generally won’t leave any smudges or residue. All you need aside from the soap is a microfiber cloth and a bit of warm water.
Start by rinsing your glasses in the sink to remove any loose dirt or dust. If you let debris sit on your glasses while wiping them down, you might scratch your lenses or wear down any protective lens coatings.
Next, lather up your glasses, ensuring the sides of the lenses and frames are covered. Be gentle with this step — harsh scrubbing could bend your frames out of shape.
After scrubbing, rinse your frames and lenses until all of the suds are gone, then shake any excess water off and pull out your clean microfiber cloth.
Use the cloth to gently wipe down the frames and lenses until they’re completely dry. Make sure you go with microfiber for this step —disposable options like paper towels or tissues might feel soft to the touch, but they can actually scratch your lenses.
This eyewear cleaning method is about as easy as it gets. If you want your glasses to stay in good shape for as long as possible, clean them with dish soap and water every day.
2. Lens Cleaner
Specialized cleaning solutions can help you keep your glasses clean without the need for soap. For this method, you’ll only need two items: lens cleaning solution and a lint-free towel — again, microfiber works best.
Start by lightly spraying your glasses with eyeglass cleaner, making sure to get both sides with a small amount of spray. Don’t overdo it. A little bit of solution goes a long way.
Next, use your clean cloth to wipe off the lenses and frames. You can spread some cleaning solution around to get hard-to-reach areas like the nose pads.
Finally, buff out your glasses with a dry part of your microfiber cloth so that you don’t leave any streaks behind once they're dry. We recommend this method for cleaning eyeglasses when you’re on the go, as you can keep a small bottle of lens cleaner and a cloth in your backpack or purse and take them with you.
3. Ultrasonic Glasses Cleaner
This high-tech cleaning method works for everything from your glasses to your favorite jewelry.
It’s a bit pricier than the rest of your options (you can get an ultrasonic cleaner online for about $40), but it’s another effective way to get every bit of grime off your glasses and other gear.
Ultrasonic cleaners use sound waves to lift dirt and gunk from the surface of your glasses for a thorough clean. All you need is some water and specialized detergent.
Start by filling your ultrasonic cleaner with the recommended amount of water based on the instructions. You can also add just a drop of detergent to the water, but that’s optional — we just recommend detergent if you need to get rid of serious buildup on your glasses.
Next, fully submerge your glasses in the liquid. Turn the cleaner on and let it run for the amount of time listed in your machine’s instructions. Once the machine runs its course, pull your glasses out and rinse them with lukewarm water. Finally, dry them off with a microfiber cloth — we don’t recommend air-drying your glasses, as it can leave water spots on the lenses.
If you wear glasses every day and often get them dirty, an ultrasonic cleaner might be a good investment. Just make sure to use yours the right way by following the instructions and cleaning the machine properly when needed.
4. Vinegar Solution
White vinegar works incredibly well as a glass cleaner and is gentle enough to remove gunk from your frames. To clean your glasses, combine one part white vinegar and one part water in a reusable spray bottle. Then, spray a bit on your lenses, both front and back.
After letting the vinegar sit for a few seconds, wipe it off with a clean microfiber cloth. If the smell of vinegar bothers you, you might want to rinse your glasses after wiping the liquid off. If not, your glasses are good to go.
This eyeglass cleaning method is simple, cheap, and quick. You probably already have some vinegar in your pantry or laundry room, and you can save money on specialized cleaners by using it. We especially recommend vinegar if your glasses get smudgy from skin oils, dirt, and other junk.
5. Alcohol Wipes
Disposable cleaning wipes are helpful in a pinch, but we recommend them as a last resort when you don’t have access to more eco-friendly cleaning supplies. You can stash a few of these wipes in your pocket or purse when you go out, just in case you need to give your glasses a quick and thorough clean.
These wipes are made with rubbing alcohol, which can remove grime and smudges from your glasses while also disinfecting them. Unlike water, you can let alcohol air-dry on your glasses without worrying about it leaving smudges or marks, which makes these wipes a simple all-in-one solution when you’re out and about.
How To Keep Your Glasses in Good Shape
Cleaning your glasses as often as possible — ideally at least once every day — can help them last as long as possible. You can take other steps to keep them in good shape as well, like storing them correctly, adjusting them when needed, and avoiding harsh chemicals when you clean them.
What Can’t You Use To Clean Your Glasses?
Using harsh cleaners like bleach, ammonia, or even a household multi-purpose spray is never beneficial for your glasses. These products contain chemicals that can damage the protective coating on your lenses — and even discolor your frames in some cases.
If you want your glasses to stay durable and look their best, avoid any cleaners other than alcohol, vinegar, and mild soap.
Why Should You Adjust Your Glasses Regularly?
When your glasses are out of alignment or have loose and bent components, they’re more likely to trap nasty gunk and dirt in hard-to-reach spots.
When this happens, a heavy-duty cleaning solution like an ultrasonic bath is one of the best ways to get your glasses as good as new again. However, you’ll need to readjust your glasses and fix any loose or crooked parts. to stop grime from building up again
Whenever you can, tighten the screws in your frames with a small screwdriver to keep dirt from collecting in the pivot points between the frames and arms.
In addition, if you notice that your frames are bent or asymmetrical, you can adjust them using hot water and gentle bending. This method works best for glasses made of durable materials like acetate. If you have metal frames, you might need to visit your optician or another eye care professional for an adjustment.
How To Store Your Glasses the Right Way
Proper storage will keep your glasses clean and scratch-free. It’s always smart to keep a protective case handy and store your glasses in it whenever you’re not wearing them.
In addition, when they're in storage, make sure you keep your glasses away from extremely hot places. Letting your frames bake in your hot car on a summer day is one of the easiest ways to get them misaligned and bent out of shape.
Look Your Best in Clean Glasses
The right pair of glasses can transform your look and make you feel like a new person. That confidence-boosting effect is even more powerful when your glasses are clean and in good shape,
With Pair, you can easily find glasses you love, personalize them to make them your own, and keep them clean without a hassle. Our frames are made from easy-to-clean acetate, which is durable, flexible, and comfy to wear. There’s no better Pair out there for you.
Ready for some new specs? Explore our Base Frames and Top Frames to create your own unique look.
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