You finally find a pair of sunglasses that perfectly suits your face and feel great in them. How do you take care of them so they will last a long time?
Maintaining your eyewear to avoid scratching or damage can be simple with patience and care. Here are our top four tips for caring for your sunglasses:
- Wash your sunglasses regularly with warm soapy water. The most common cause of damage to sunglasses is tiny scratches. Using a napkin or your shirt to wipe the grime off your glasses can be tempting. But don’t! Using any sort of cloth or fabric with natural fibers can cause tiny scratches, leave behind lint, and only smush the dirt and oils around. Start a habit of washing your sunglasses several times a week in warm soapy water, rinsing them thoroughly, and then drying them with a microfiber cloth.
- Microfiber Cleaning Cloths. Microfiber cleaning cloths are the best way to maintain your sunglasses. You can purchase cleaning cloths inexpensively and keep them handy in the places you need to use them: backpack, purse, vehicle, home, work, etc. When it comes time to wash your microfiber cleaning cloths, use warm soapy water, rinse thoroughly, and let air dry. Do not put them in the regular wash, especially with fabric softener, as your washing machine may not rinse all the soap out, and fabric softeners are made of oil and will only make the smudging on your glasses worse.
- Avoid cleaning your sunglasses when dry. Pair your microfiber cloth with an eyeglass cleaning spray for an optimal and safe clean. Do not use harsh cleaners such as window cleaners containing ammonia or alcohol, as this may remove your specialty coating on your glasses. A good lens cleaning spray can also be used for your electronic devices to safely clean screens to avoid scratching or ruining their touch-sensitive properties.
- Store your sunglasses with care. Avoid leaving your prized sunglasses in a hot car or the sun. The heat may warp your frames and damage plastics, especially if you live in a scorching climate. (Have you seen the videos of people baking cookies in their cars?) When not in use, place your sunglasses in their carrying case to offer more protection, especially during transport. Keep the lens side up when setting your sunglasses down to avoid scratching right where you need to see through.
With these tips, you can enjoy your sunglasses for a long time.
