How to clean eyeglasses

You see the world through your eyeglasses, so they have to be clean and clear if you want to get the most out of them. Dirty lenses are annoying because it always looks like you've got something blocking your view, and they're potentially dangerous. The point of glasses is to give you a clear picture of the world, and greasy, smudged lenses mess that up and defeat the purpose.

Not everybody knows how to clean eyeglasses, though. Learning what to do and what not to do can help you keep your glasses clear, prevent damage to the lenses, and generally see the way you’re supposed to, without obstructions.

Materials needed for cleaning eyeglasses

Getting your glasses clean takes some common materials, but you don't have to go too far with this. Lens cleaner is available as a convenience for many people, but you can get the same effect with some lotion-free dish soap and running water. Here's a short list of stuff you need to give your glasses a proper cleaning at home:

• Lotion-free dish soap
• Running water
• A lint-free microfiber cloth

Cleaning solutions and tools

Commercial vendors offer formulated cleansing solutions that are meant just for eyeglasses. These are usually gentle cleansers that don't use harsh chemicals to get the desired effect. You should generally avoid anything too abrasive or harsh because the wrong cleansers can actually etch your lenses, fog them up, or leave a chalky residue that is basically just an ironic way for your glasses to get dirty.

Dos and don'ts of cleaning eyeglasses

There's no single right way to clean your eyeglasses, but there are definitely best practices. And while there's also not a specific wrong way to do it,  there are several ways you can accidentally damage your lenses, or get less of a cleaning than you hoped for. Here are some of the dos and don'ts of cleaning your glasses.

Do:

• Rinse glasses under a clear stream of running water.
• Use very little cleansing solution to avoid buildup and residue.
• Be gentle with the lenses and frames.
• Rub the solution and water in with a microfiber cloth.
• Dry the lenses with a clean, lint-free cloth.

Don't:

• Use hot water, standing water, or (it has to be said) water from the shower or bath you're taking.
• Use harsh chemicals, lye, bleach, or abrasive materials.
• Use your saliva as a cleanser.
• Scrub the lenses with steel wool, scrubbing pads, or kitchen sponges.
• Dry with facial tissues, paper towels, or (again, gotta say it) toilet paper.
• Touch your newly cleaned lenses with dirty fingers.

Step-by-step guide to cleaning eyeglasses

Now that you have the basics, here's a pretty elementary plan for how to clean eyeglasses at home. It's nothing special, and you're free to modify it with what you have on hand, just remember the dos and don'ts.

Step 1: Wash your hands

You're going to be handling your glasses a lot while cleaning them, and it's almost inevitable you'll be touching the lenses. You don't want to clean the lenses and come away with fresh smudges or fingerprints on them. Using warm water and hand soap, wash your hands thoroughly, taking special care to get the grease and dirt off of your fingertips. Air dry or gently pat your fingers dry with a lint-free cloth.

Step 2: Rinse and prep

Run water from the tap until it's warm (not hot). Pass your glasses under the stream to rinse away all the easily rinse-awayable debris and smudged lenses. Do this a few times without touching the glass or trying to force anything off of the lenses.

Step 3: Apply cleaning solution

Put a dab of lotion-free soap between your forefinger and thumb, and rub it until you have a gentle lather. If you're doing this with a microfiber cloth, use that to lather the soap instead. If you're using a commercial glass cleanser, some of them are meant to be applied directly to the lenses. Check the label to make sure you're using it right. Apply the cleanser to both sides of the lenses.

Step 4: Gently clean

Once you have a lather going, gently rub the lenses with your fingers or the microfiber cloth. Use broad circular strokes to remove smudges and clear off any grit or particles that may be stuck to the surface. Make sure you get both sides of each lens. Keep rubbing in circular motions until all the visible besmirchment is cleared away, but don't go too hard or for too long. Many glasses have a coating that's easily damaged if it's rubbed too hard.

Step 5: Dry and inspect

When everything looks clean, it's time to dry the lenses with a lint-free cloth. Get the lenses first, followed by the frames. Don't do it the other way around because this can spread fresh dirt and grease from the frames onto the lenses, bringing you back to Step 1. Make sure everything is clean and dry before you're done because residual water is likely to dry in the air and leave spots.

How to clean eyeglasses the right way

Keeping your lenses clean is an important part of owning and using eyeglasses. It's important to clean your glasses whenever they look like they could use a quick pass, and you could probably do with a proper rinse and clean at least once a week. This lets you properly see the world around you, and it can help extend your glasses' useful life. Cleaning your glasses properly, as opposed to using the wrong cleansers and scrubbing pads, will also let you clean your lenses without scratching or fogging them up. You can find the right eyeglasses for you with an eye exam and shop around for the glasses and frames you like.

FAQs

Can I use dish soap to clean my eyeglasses? 

It's generally okay to use dish soap to clean your eyeglasses. Make sure the soap you're going with doesn't have lotion, scent, or other add-on chemicals in it.  Instead, try to use the plainest soap you can, and avoid fragrances or other unnecessary ingredients. But maybe lemony-fresh glasses might not be so bad?

Is it safe to clean eyeglasses with alcohol-based products?

Single-use lens wipes, which typically contain alcohol, are fine to use to clean your glasses.

Can I clean my glasses with a cotton shirt?

Technically, you can wipe your glasses clean with the tail of your cotton shirt. This works in a pinch, but you shouldn't rely on it. Cotton fabric is prone to dropping lint and other fibers on glass, which can leave a dusty, powdery residue on the glasses you're trying to keep clean.

Should I avoid touching the lenses even when cleaning?

It's not the best idea to put your fingers all over your lenses, but it's also not the end of the world if you do. You can actually use your fingers to wipe the glasses while you're cleaning them, but make sure your fingers are clean and that you finish by rinsing with water and drying with a microfiber cloth. Check for fingerprints and smudges when you're done.

What should I do if my glasses have stubborn stains? 

Stubborn stains can be handled with a little extra cleaning. Fill a bowl with warm water and drop in two spoons' worth of white vinegar. Dip a lint-free cloth into the solution and wipe the lenses until they're clean. Check to make sure you've gotten the trouble spots cleaned up, and then rinse the glasses under running water. As before, dry everything with a clean, dry cloth.