Wearing good quality eyeglasses is very important for people who are suffering from poor eyesight. They are also useful for those who always use devices like computers as they are helpful for protecting the eyes from blue light to reduce eye strain and other screen-related problems. However, the thing about eyeglasses is that they do not last forever, no matter how sturdy and expensive they may be. It is inevitable for the lenses to get some scratches, even if they are advertised or marketed as scratch-resistant.
Good quality eyeglasses are made to last for a longer time, especially if you take good care of them. But whatever eyeglasses you are using, the lenses will soon degrade as they age. If your skin is dry, flaky, or oily, it can also be a problem. Smudges are commonly found on eyeglasses, particularly for those who wear makeup. Also, since we touch our face, hair, and glasses constantly, dust, grease, and grime can build up quickly on the lenses, blocking your sight. The dirt blocking your sight may also cause headaches and eye strain.
In order to expand the lifespan of your eyeglasses, you need to put some effort into caring for them, such as cleaning the lenses daily and properly storing them when not in use. It is also necessary to have a proper cleaning cloth for your glasses to remove debris. If you wear eyeglasses and are wondering how you can keep the lenses clean at all times, we are here to help you. In this article, we are going to provide you with some of the best tips on keeping your eyeglass lens clean.
How to Clean Glasses Lenses
Those who wear eyeglasses probably know how irritating it is to have dirt, grit, or grease stuck on the lenses. In addition to being annoying, as we’ve mentioned earlier, it can also cause headaches and eye strain. What’s more, is that bacteria may grow on glasses that haven’t been cleaned in a while. With this, quick eyeglass cleaning should be part of your daily eye care routine.
Lens cleaning does not need to be complicated. In fact, it only takes a few seconds to clean your eyeglass lenses. You can also do it more effectively if you have the right supplies, such as:
Microfiber Cloth: This is the safest and most effective tool that you can use in order to get your glasses clean while keeping them scratch-free.
Cleaning Solution: There are also sprays made for eyeglasses, which are safe for polycarbonate lenses and lens coating. But if you do not want to buy one, you can simply use lotion-free dish soap to clean your lenses.
Below are the steps that you can follow to clean your eyeglasses lenses:
- Before you clean the lenses, make sure that you wash your hands thoroughly. This will ensure that you will not transfer any germs from your hands to your eyeglasses.
- After that, run warm water over your glasses in order to get rid of dust and other debris that might scratch the lenses. Avoid using water from a faucet if there is hard water in your area. It is better to use distilled water for this step.
- Then, wipe the lenses down using a microfiber cloth.
- Get the cleaning solution and spray your glasses on both sides. If you choose to use dish soap, you just need to put one drop on both sides of the lenses and rub it over the surface of the lens gently. It is important to rinse the lenses if you are using soap.
- To dry your eyeglasses, shake off the excess water droplets. You can also use a gas duster or canned air to dry them if you want to avoid streaks and watermarks on your eyeglass lens.
How to Clean Eyeglass Frames
Aside from cleaning the lenses, it is also important to keep the frame of the eyeglasses clean, too. Frames have many tiny parts, including springs, hinges, and screws, which can all get dirty with oils and sweat from the face. Cleaning the frame is important for personal hygiene as it touches the skin constantly. Below are some steps you can follow in order to clean your eyeglass frames:
- Run the frame under warm water. Then, use a mild soap, such as lotion-free dish soap, and apply it to the frame using your fingertips.
- Then, rinse the frames thoroughly under warm water.
- To clean the nose pads and earpieces of the frame, you can use a moist towelette with rubbing alcohol.
What to Avoid When Cleaning Your Eyeglasses
Eyeglasses are pretty delicate items since they are made of glass. They can also be expensive, which is why taking good care of them is essential. When cleaning your eyeglasses, it is important to be cautious with how you do it and the items and products that you use. There are a few common mistakes that some people make when cleaning their eyeglasses that you need to avoid. Below are some of them:
Avoid using cleaning materials that can damage or scratch the lens of your eyeglasses.
To clean the lens of your eyeglass, it is very important to only use a microfiber cloth. Avoid using paper towels, tissues, and the fabric of the shirt you are wearing, even though these seem like easy fixes for smudged lenses. Stick with using only the soft lens cloths that come with your glasses. It’s because materials like tissues or paper towels are too coarse and make cause minor scratches on the lenses, which over time, will lead to the lens losing its clarity.
Do not use products that contain acetone.
There are also some who like to experiment when it comes to the products that they use to clean their eyeglasses. An example of this is the use of nail polish remover to clean the lenses and frames. Using a nail polish remover is never a good idea as it is destructive to both lenses and plastic glasses frames, especially if it is left on the surface of the lens for too long. Therefore, if you want the lifespan of your eyeglasses to be long, only use cleaning products that are intended for eyeglasses.
Never use your saliva to clean eyeglass lenses.
There are times when people get desperate to get rid of a smudge on their eyeglasses. With this, some may think that it is a good idea to use their own saliva to lubricate the lens and remove the smudge. But this is actually a bad idea as you are covering the lens with germs from your mouth, which can multiply. Aside from that, saliva may also make the smudge look worse. Again, only use products that are made specifically to clean eyeglass lenses.
Tips to Keep Your Eyeglass Lens Clean
Now that you know the steps to clean your eyeglass lens and frame, let us now learn about how you can maintain the cleanliness of your glasses. Always remember that your eyesight is precious, and so are your glasses. Below are some of the tips to keep your eyeglass lens clean:
Always Rinse Your Eyeglasses
At the end of the day, you need to ensure that you rinse your eyeglasses first before storing them in the case. Never use hot water to avoid damaging the lenses and frame. Only warm water is enough. Use a small amount of dish soap to remove dirt on both sides of the lenses, then clean the frame and the nose pad.
Only Use Recommended Products
As mentioned earlier, you need to be sure that you are using appropriate items in cleaning your eyeglasses. When there is a smudge on your eyeglass lens, grab the lens cleaning cloth provided by your optometrist and gently wipe the lenses. Do not use other items like tissue or paper towels, as these can leave fine marks on your glasses. If you need to remove persistent dirt or smudge, make sure to use lens cleaning solutions.
Make sure to clean every part of the glasses.
A lot of people clean the lenses daily but forget about the frames. But if you are going to clean your eyeglass lens, you might as well clean the frame, too, as it has the parts of your eyeglasses that always get in contact with your skin and hands. Therefore, along with the lenses, try to remove as much grime as you can from the nose pads, screws, and hinges when rinsing and soaping.
Keep the glasses in their case when not in use.
One of the best things that you can do in order to keep the lenses of your glasses clean is by keeping them inside the case when they are not in use. Avoid leaving them on the table or any surface to prevent them from falling and collecting dirt. When you are going out, it is also important to bring the eyeglass case with you to keep them clean and protected if you decide to take them off while you are outdoors.
It is also not advisable to place your glasses on your head as they will accumulate dirt faster and may also lead to damage and loosening. When storing your glasses, make sure that they are dry. Wipe them using a microfiber cloth before placing them inside the case.
Always keep a pack of lens cleaning wipes.
Lens cleaning wipes look similar to ordinary tissue paper. However, when you use them, you will notice that they contain special ingredients that help in keeping the lenses clear and less foggy. These are beneficial to the elderly or when traveling as you can clean your glasses with little to no effort. Many optical shops sell lens cleaning wipes, and they can also be purchased online. Keeping some in your bag at all times can help you maintain the cleanliness of your eyeglass lenses.
Professional Eyeglass Cleaning
Even if you are cleaning your eyeglass lens and frame on a daily basis, it is still a good idea to have your eyeglasses cleaned by professionals. Many optometrists, ophthalmologists, and eyeglass retailers offer this service. But when is the best time to have your glasses professionally cleaned? Is this service required?
Professional eyeglass cleaning is not actually required. However, if your glasses have an oily buildup that does not go away even after cleaning them at home, or if you are noticing breakouts on your nose and around your ears where your glasses touch your face, a professional cleaning might help. You may also ask to have your eyeglasses cleaned when you go for your annual eye exam or when you get your eyeglasses adjusted.
Conclusion
Keeping your eyeglass lens clean is among the important steps in order to prolong and maintain the quality of your eyeglasses. If you always keep the lens clean, you’ll be able to use the eyeglasses for a long time and get your money’s worth. But aside from the lenses, overall, it is better to always keep your whole eyeglasses clean at all times to avoid eye infections and dermatological conditions. Just make sure that the products and tools you are using to keep your eyeglass lenses clean are high-quality and will not cause any damage to your eyeglasses. We hope this post helped you learn more about how to keep your eyeglass lens clean.