Prescription glasses are a big investment. You may spend a lot of time and money choosing the right frames and lenses to ensure you get the perfect pair for your face shape, lifestyle, and vision needs.
So if you want your glasses to have a longer lifespan, you must take care of them. But there’s a right way — and plenty of wrong ways — to do that.
In this article, we share tips on properly cleaning and storing your prescription glasses to keep them in great shape.
Cleaning the Lenses
An eyeglass cleaning routine doesn’t have to be complicated once you have the steps down. If it takes you more than 30 seconds to clean your glasses, you’re likely overthinking it.
Follow these steps to clean your eyeglass lenses properly:
- Wash and dry your hands. Before handling your glasses, wash your hands thoroughly with mild soap and dry them with a clean, lint-free towel.
- Gently rinse the lenses using warm, distilled water. Run warm, distilled water over the lenses to eliminate dust and other tiny debris that might scratch the lenses.
- Spray the lenses on both sides with a cleaning solution. You can use lotion-free dishwashing liquid if you don’t have a cleaning solution for eyeglass lenses. Apply a small drop of the liquid on both sides of the lenses and gently rub it before rinsing.
- Shake off excess water droplets. Gently shake your glasses to get rid of excess water droplets. You can also use a gas duster to dry them if you want to avoid watermarks.
- Wipe down both sides of the lenses. Using a microfiber cloth, carefully wipe down both sides of the lenses. Inspect them carefully to make sure they’re clean.
Cleaning the Frames
Cleaning your eyeglass frame is also important because it constantly touches your skin.
Eyeglass frames have many tiny parts, like screws and springs, that can get dirty with sweat or oil buildup from your face. They can also get dirty quickly if you regularly wear makeup.
Here’s how to properly clean your eyeglass frame:
- Run the frame under warm water. Apply a few drops of mild, lotion-free soap to the frame and gently rub it with your fingertips.
- Rinse the frames under warm water.
- Clean the nose pads and temple tips. Use a microfiber cloth and rubbing alcohol to clean any rubber components of the frame.
Common Mistakes People Make When Cleaning Glasses
Incorrect cleaning techniques can damage your eyeglasses’ lenses and/or frames. Here are a few common mistakes to watch out for:
- Using your shirt to wipe lenses. Fabrics can trap dust, dirt, and debris that can cause minor scratches on the lens’s surface.
- Using toilet paper or paper towels to clean lenses. These materials are too rough for eyeglass lenses and can cause scratches.
- Using household cleaning products to clean lenses. Household cleaning products usually contain harsh chemicals that can damage lens coatings.
- Leaving glasses to dry on the bathroom counter. Hairspray, dry shampoo, perfume, and the like can get on your lenses and damage their protective coating.
- Cleaning lenses with saliva. Saliva contains germs that can get onto your lenses and multiply.
Storing Your Glasses
Safely storing your prescription glasses is just as important as cleaning them properly if you want to keep them in excellent condition.
Here are some tips for storing your glasses:
- Store your eyeglasses in a clean storage case. Don’t just leave them exposed on a table, desk, or countertop where they can easily get knocked over.
- If you must put down your glasses momentarily, do so with the lenses facing up. Otherwise, you risk scratching the lenses.
- Invest in hardshell cases for traveling. If you’re on the go, store your glasses in a hinged, hardshell case to protect them from the other items in your bag.
Bottom Line
The best way to keep your prescription glasses clean and scratch-free for as long as possible is to follow the tips and tricks we’ve shared.
However, remember that all eyeglass lenses will eventually get a few scratches. Lenses can be scratch-resistant but never scratch-proof.
If your lenses are badly scratched, your eyeglass prescription has expired, or you simply want a new pair of glasses, take our handy Online Vision Test to renew your prescription.
