4 DIY Eyeglass Cleaner Recipes for Lenses That Sparkle

We love to rock our favorite pair of glasses. Both cuter and more comfortable than contacts, glasses have it all going on, which is why we wear them nearly everywhere we go. But wearing glasses everywhere is also how we end up with some serious smudge on our hands. That’s why we also bring our favorite DIY eyeglass cleaners everywhere.

We’ve seen water spots after watching the latest tear-jerker, slobber after sloppy puppy kisses, and grease after pushing up our glasses in the middle of a plate of chicken wings. But through it all, we’ve had our handy-dandy homemade cleaning solutions to keep our glasses sparkling. And if you don’t have your own recipe, you need one.

Get ready to say goodbye to smudges because we’ve got four different recipes for DIY eyeglass cleaners that you can make right now.

4 Ways to Make a DIY Eyeglass Cleaner

If you want to make your own homemade eyeglass cleaner, you’ve got options. Most of these recipes rely on common household ingredients that you probably have under your sink right now. Search your cupboards, gather your supplies, and get ready for some seriously clean glasses.

1. The Dish Soap Method

Not just for drinking glasses, dishwashing soap is the never-fail eyeglass cleaner you didn’t know you had. It’ll make your lenses sparkle as brightly as freshly washed dishes, and it’s available nearly everywhere. You’ll be able to quickly DIY this cleaning solution anywhere with the supplies in your home, Airbnb, and even your office kitchen.

Dish soap is also extremely gentle on your lenses. In a pinch, you can rub a few drops of dish soap directly onto your lenses and then rinse clean (just beware of hard water if you rinse them in the sink!). But most of the time, it’s better to do it this way. Let’s get started.

Supplies

• Dish soap

• Warm water

• 2 clean microfiber cloths

Instructions

1. Add a few drops of dish soap to a bowl.

2. Pour about 1/4 cup of warm water over the top of the dish soap and mix it up.

3. Dip one of your microfiber cloths into the bowl of soapy water.

4. Gently rub the lenses, nose guard, and frames of your glasses with the soapy cloth to remove dirt, oil, and grime.

5. Rinse your glasses with more warm water to remove any soapy residue.

6. Dry the glasses with your remaining microfiber cloth.

2. The Witch Hazel Method

Witch hazel is a natural plant-based extract thought to have antibacterial properties. It helps break down dirt, oil, and grime, and it can clean everything from floors to glass to jewelry.

Unlike washing your glasses with only dish soap, when you mix a tiny bit of dish soap to a solution of mostly witch hazel and water, it won’t leave a soapy coating on your eyeglass lenses. So, you won’t have to rinse your lenses after you use this eyeglass cleaning solution. Simply spritz it on, and wipe it off.

Supplies

• 1 part witch hazel

• 1 part water

• 2-4 drops of dish soap

• Small spray bottle

• Clean microfiber cloth

Instructions

1. Add equal parts witch hazel and water to your small spray bottle, filling it nearly to the top.

2. Add 2-4 drops of dish soap to the mix, using less for smaller spritz bottles and more for larger ones.

3. Screw the top onto your spray bottle and shake to combine.

4. Spritz the solution onto your pair of glasses.

5. Wipe away smudges with the microfiber cloth.

3. The Rubbing Alcohol Method

This helpful hack is not only a homemade eyeglass cleaner, it’s also an anti-fog solution. So, if you’re sick of your lenses fogging up every time you open the oven or step out into the humidity, this recipe is coming to your rescue!

The rubbing alcohol, or isopropyl alcohol, in the mix is also an excellent disinfectant, making this solution a good one to grab when you’re dealing with germs on your glasses. Whether your sick kid just sneezed all over you (and your glasses) or you’ve got a zit rubbing against your nose guard, this solution will keep your glasses germ-free so you can feel a little more carefree.

But be forewarned: Rubbing alcohol is caustic. And if you use this cleaning method too frequently, it could slowly wear away any special coatings on your lenses. You should also never clean your lenses with undiluted rubbing alcohol because it's too harsh.

Supplies

• 3 parts isopropyl alcohol

• 1 part water

• 2-4 drops of dish soap

• Small spray bottle

• Clean microfiber cloth

Instructions

1. Fill your spray bottle 3/4 of the way with isopropyl alcohol.

2. Fill the remaining 1/4 up with water.

3. Add 2-4 drops of dish soap, using less for slightly smaller bottles and more for slightly larger bottles.

4. Screw the top on your spray bottle, and shake to combine.

5. Spritz the solution on your pair of glasses.

6. Wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.

4. The White Vinegar Method

This eyeglass cleaner recipe may seem familiar — it’s one of the most popular DIY window cleaner recipes, and it works just as well as a lens cleaner. Simply mix equal parts white vinegar and water, and you’ll have a cleaning solution that can do it all. This simple solution can get you out of some sticky situations. The acidity in vinegar helps remove soap scum and even get rid of hard water spots.

With just two ingredients, it’s the only recipe on this list that doesn’t use dish soap. So, if you run out of dishwashing liquid, you’ll still have a recipe in your back pocket to keep your glasses clean.

But like alcohol, vinegar can be hard on your lens coatings. Never use undiluted vinegar to clean your glasses.

Supplies

• 1 part white vinegar

• 1 part water

• Small spray bottle

• Clean microfiber cloth

Instructions

1. Fill your spray bottle half way with white vinegar.

2. Then, add water up to the top of the spray bottle.

3. Screw on the top of the bottle, and shake to combine.

4. Spritz it on your glasses.

5. Wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.

Mistakes People Make When Cleaning Their Glasses at Home

Even when you’ve got an expertly crafted DIY eyeglass cleaner, there are still things that could go wrong in your cleaning process — potentially causing scratches or even more smudges on your lenses. Make sure things go smoothly by avoiding these common mistakes:

• Using a cotton cloth: Cotton is abrasive. While you may be able to wipe your lenses down once or twice without noticing any damage, overtime this material will cause small scratches to form. Stick with a microfiber cloth — like our cleaning cloths made with eco-friendly PET fabric from recycled materials — to keep your lenses in the best shape.

• Using a dirty microfiber cloth: You’ll notice that every recipe above calls for a clean microfiber cloth. A bit of lint, a grain of sand, or a fleck of dirt could damage the protective coating on your lenses. Throw your microfiber cloths in the washing machine from time to time. After they’re clean, use a lint roller to remove any additional debris.

• Using hard water: Hard water is full of minerals that leave deposits on your lenses. When hard water droplets dry, they leave behind a white film. If you have hard water in your home, or if you’re not sure, try using distilled water to clean your glasses instead of tap water.

• Using undiluted ingredients: Each of these recipes uses water to dilute the cleaning agent (either witch hazel, rubbing alcohol, or white vinegar). These ingredients are too strong on their own, and they can wear away the anti-scratch coating on your lenses over time. Never use these ingredients on their own. Always dilute them with water to protect your lenses.

DIY Your Way to Clear Vision

Sure, a good DIY eyeglass cleaner isn’t a substitute for your annual trip to the eye doctor. But dirt and smudges can make it hard to see — even when you have the perfect prescription (and the most flattering pair of eyewear for your face).

Don’t let a few fingerprints or water spots stand between you and perfect vision. You probably have everything you need to make your own homemade eyeglass cleaner — just check your cupboards. Then, mix up one of these recipes, and use it to take care of your current pair of glasses. And when it’s time for a new pair, check out Pair Eyewear.

At Pair Eyewear, we offer single-vision and progressive lenses. All our lenses come with an anti-scratch and anti-glare coating to keep them (and you!) looking good for as long as possible. And with prices starting at just $60, you could really clean up!