How To

How to Clean Eyeglasses

How to Clean Eyeglasses
Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(68 Ratings)

The saying goes that eyes are the windows to the soul. Keep your visual environment clean and clear by cleaning your eyeglass lenses carefully and regularly.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  1. Step 1

    Wash lenses daily with a mild soap and warm water to remove dirt and oil and avoid massive buildup.

  2. Step 2

    Dry lenses with a lens cloth or nonabrasive cotton. Avoid using paper towels or camera lens paper.

  3. Step 3

    Purchase a professional lens-cleaning cloth and lens gel (or spray) to remove fingerprints, dirt buildup and smudges.

  4. Step 4

    Hold glasses by the eye frame with your thumb and forefinger of one hand. Use the other hand to gently buff the lenses in a circular motion. Do not press too hard on the lenses.

  5. Step 5

    Wash the cleaning cloth weekly with a mild, nonabrasive soap. Avoid using fabric softener when drying the cloth.

Tips & Warnings
  • Purchase scratch-resistant lenses to avoid permanent marks that will impede vision.
  • Keep glasses in a case when not in use. Be sure that they are kept in a safe place, away from clumsy hands that might knock them to the ground.
  • In a pinch, you can clean glass lenses with a drop or two of vinegar with a clean, soft cloth. Don't use vinegar on plastic lenses.
  • Do not use the tail of your shirt to clean your lenses, if you can help it. Most clothing fabrics contain abrasive fibers that will scratch or smear the lenses.

Comments  

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on 5/2/2009 This is a terrible method. Anyone wearing glasses with special coatings, MOST do these days, any anti-scratch or anti-reflective coatings will horribly regret this method of cleaning their glasses. NEVER use soap. Consider the price you paid for your lenses and frames, taking care of them is more frugal than having to replace them due to cracking and coatings peeling off.

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on 2/16/2009 You should try a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and distilled water.

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on 2/16/2009 You should try a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and distilled water.

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on 1/1/2009 Oy vey, never use dish soap on your glasses. It's a TERRIBLE idea. If you have a coating, like these http://www.glassesusa.com/lenses-and-coatings/ on your glasses, it can strip the coating and make it worse.

As for super glue, try non-acetone nail polish remover.

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on 8/25/2007 I have scratch resistant lenses. I have on the go (for my hands) pads with rubbing alcohol--would that take off the coating?

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