What to do with contacts without solution

It always seems to happen at the worst possible time, whether you're traveling, staying over at a friend's house, or realizing too late that your contact solution bottle is empty. If you're wondering what to do with your contacts without solution, you're not alone. 
 
The good news? There are safe ways to handle the situation. The bad news? There isn't a household substitute that can clean and disinfect your lenses the way contact lens solution can. 
 
Here's what to do if you run out of solution, what you should never use instead, and when it's safest to replace your lenses. 

Why contact lens solution matters 

Contact lens solution does much more than keep your lenses from drying out. It's specially formulated to clean, disinfect, and protect your contacts so they're safe and comfortable to wear. 

A good contact lens solution helps: 

• Disinfect lenses by removing bacteria and other microorganisms 
• Remove protein deposits and debris 
• Keep lenses hydrated and comfortable 
• Maintain a pH balance that's safe for your eyes

Without proper solution, contact lenses can quickly become contaminated, increasing your risk of eye irritation, infection, and even corneal damage. 

What can I put my contacts in if I don't have solution? 

The short answer: nothing safely replaces contact lens solution. 
 
If you're wearing daily disposable contacts, throw them away and use a fresh pair later. 
 
If you wear monthly or reusable lenses, it's best to wait until you have proper solution before wearing them again. 
 
While there are limited emergency options for temporary storage, none of them disinfect your lenses. 

What to do with contacts without solution based on lens type 

If you wear daily disposable contacts  

Daily disposable contacts are designed to be worn once and thrown away. 

If you don't have contact lens solution, simply discard your lenses and open a fresh pair when you're ready to wear contacts again. 

If you wear monthly or reusable contacts 

Reusable lenses are designed to be cleaned and stored in contact lens solution.

If you don't have solution available: 

• Don't wear lenses that haven't been properly disinfected. 
• Avoid storing them in household liquids. 
• If you're unsure whether they're still safe, it's better to replace them. 

Protecting your eyes is always more important than saving a pair of contacts. 

How to store contacts without solution (emergency only) 

If you need to keep reusable contacts from drying out for a short period of time, sterile saline that's specifically labeled for contact lenses is the least risky option. 
 
Keep in mind: 

• Saline only keeps lenses moist.
• It does not disinfect them. 
• Before wearing the lenses again, they still need to be cleaned and disinfected with contact lens solution. 

If sterile saline isn't available, it's usually safer to discard the lenses than to store them in an unsafe liquid. 

What can I use as a contact solution substitution? 

Unfortunately, there isn't a true substitute for contact lens solution. 
 
The only possible short-term option is sterile saline made specifically for contact lenses. Even then, it should only be used to keep your lenses from drying out until you have proper solution available. 

What should you never use instead of contact lens solution? 

Never clean or store your contacts in:

• Tap water
• Bottled water
• Distilled water
• Homemade saltwater
• Saliva
• Eye drops 

These liquids aren't designed to disinfect contact lenses and can introduce bacteria, parasites, or other microorganisms that may lead to serious eye infections. 

Can I use water on my contact lenses? 

No. Tap water, bottled water, distilled water, and even water that looks perfectly clean aren't safe for contact lenses. 
 
Water can: 

• Introduce harmful microorganisms 
• Change the shape of your lenses 
• Increase your risk of painful eye infections

 If your contacts have been stored in water, it's safest to throw them away. 

Can I clean contact lenses without solution? 

No. There isn't a safe way to clean or disinfect contact lenses without contact lens solution. 
 
Simply rinsing lenses with water or saline doesn't remove harmful microorganisms. If your lenses haven't been properly disinfected, don't put them back in your eyes. 

Can I rehydrate dried-out contacts? 

If your contacts have dried out completely, adding solution later doesn't necessarily make them safe to wear again. 
 
Dry lenses can: 

• Lose their original shape 
• Develop tiny cracks 
• Trap bacteria, even after rehydration 

When in doubt, it's safest to replace them. 

What to do if contacts were stored in water or without solution 

If your contacts were stored improperly: 

• Don't put them back in your eyes.
• Don't try to disinfect them with water. 
• If you can't properly disinfect them with contact lens solution, throw them away. 

Eye infections caused by contaminated lenses can be serious and may require medical treatment. 

When it's safer to replace your contacts 

Replace your contacts if: 

• They were stored in water or saliva. 
• They dried out completely. 
• You can't properly disinfect them.
•  They look cloudy, feel stiff, or smell unusual.

Replacing your lenses is much safer than risking an eye infection. 

When to contact your eye doctor 

Remove your contacts and contact an eye care professional if you experience redness, eye pain, blurry vision, light sensitivity, swelling, or discharge. These symptoms could be signs of an eye infection and shouldn't be ignored. 

How to clean and store contacts properly after an emergency 

Once you have contact lens solution again: 

• Clean your lenses according to the solution's instructions. 
• Always use fresh solution. Never 'top off' old solution. 
• Replace your contact lens case if you think it may have become contaminated. 

If you're ever unsure whether your contacts are safe to wear, it's better to start with a fresh pair. 

How to avoid running out of contact lens solution 

Try these tips: 

• Keep a travel-size bottle in your bag.
• Store a backup bottle at home or work.
• Replace your solution before it runs out. 
• Consider daily disposable contacts if you frequently forget your solution. 

Key safety reminders 

• There isn't a safe household substitute for contact lens solution. 
• Never use water to clean or store your contacts. 
• Sterile saline is not a disinfectant. 
• When you're unsure, replacing your contacts is the safest choice.

 

Need a fresh pair? 

If you end up tossing your contacts because they weren't stored safely, replacing them is easy. 
 
With 1-800 Contacts, you can order your contact lenses online and have them delivered right to your door. Need to renew your prescription? Our online vision exam makes it easy to update your prescription from home, if you're eligible. 
 
It's a simple way to stay stocked up on the contacts you need, with the convenience of ordering from home. 

Original publish date: 2/13/2024

Updated date: 6/22/2026