Cleaning Eyeglasses: What to Do and What Not to Do

For years, we’ve seen people cleaning eyeglasses in all sorts of ways: breathing on them, scrubbing them with the bottom of their shirts, rubbing them with paper towels, and so much more. Seeing people do this somehow makes others believe they’re the right ways, but we’re here to tell you the truth about what to do and what not to do when cleaning your eyeglasses.

What to Do When Cleaning Your Eyeglasses

• Run the eyeglasses under a gentle stream of lukewarm tap water. Doing so will remove any small particles that could scratch the lenses when you dry them.
• Use a mild, lotion-free dishwashing liquid and gently rub every surface of the eyeglasses with your fingers.
• Rinse the eyeglasses and then dry them with a microfiber cloth.
• It’s OK to use lens wipes and eyeglass cleaners.
• Take them to an eye care professional once a year or so to have them thoroughly cleaned, especially if the eyeglasses have become challenging for you to maintain due to their age. The eye doctor’s office can use an ultrasonic cleaning device, replace the nose pads, and maybe even reshape the glasses to more properly fit your face if necessary.

What Not to Do When Cleaning Eyeglasses 

• Don’t use paper towels. They can be abrasive.
• Don’t use towels that have been through your washer and dryer, as they may have chemicals and particles on them that could scratch or cloud your lenses.
• Don’t use harsh or acidic products like window cleaner, lemon, vinegar, or other household cleaning products.
• Don’t try to buff out a scratch. It’ll only make the scratch worse.
• Don’t rub your lenses with clothing, such as the aforementioned shirttails.

Other Eyeglass Care Tips

Proper maintenance will make cleaning eyeglasses easier and more effective. Eyeglasses with scratched lenses, for example, won’t appear as clean as you would like them to, so it’s important to take care of the eyeglasses on a regular basis by following these tips:

1. Keep them in a quality eyeglass case.
2. Do not place the eyeglasses face down on any counter or other surface.
3. Do not lift them by the arms. Instead, pick them up by the metal piece that sits at the bridge of your nose.
4. Keep your eyeglasses separate from other items, such as loose change or keys, which can damage the lenses.
5. Choose polycarbonate eyeglass lenses if possible. They’re stronger and more scratch-resistant than glass or plastic lenses.

For additional information about protecting and cleaning eyeglasses, step into one of our eye doctors’ offices in Flint, Lapeer, Grand Blanc, Oxford, and Fenton.