How to clean your glasses properly
By See Better · Updated · 4 min read
The short answer
Rinse your glasses under lukewarm running water, rub a small drop of plain dishwashing liquid over the lenses and frame with your fingertips, rinse again and dry with a clean microfibre cloth. Never wipe dry lenses with your shirt, tissue or paper towel. That is how most scratches happen.
Key points
- Water first, always. Wiping a dry lens grinds dust into it.
- Plain dishwashing liquid and a clean microfibre cloth are all you need.
- Avoid hot water, window cleaner, spirits and acetone, which damage coatings.
- Scratches cannot be polished out. Prevention is the only cure.
The five-step method
- Wash your hands. Oil and grit on your fingers end up on the lenses.
- Rinse the glasses under lukewarm running water. This floats away dust and sand that would otherwise scratch the lens when you rub it. Do not use hot water.
- Add one small drop of dishwashing liquid to each lens. Use a plain liquid without added moisturiser or lotion. Rub gently with your fingertips over both sides of the lenses, the nose pads and the arms, where skin oil and sunscreen build up.
- Rinse thoroughly. Any soap left behind will dry as streaks.
- Dry with a clean microfibre cloth. Shake off the excess water first, then dab and wipe gently. A clean, lint-free cotton cloth that has not been washed with fabric softener also works.
Do this once a day, ideally in the morning, and your lenses will stay clear for as long as you own them.
What never to use on your glasses
- Your shirt, a tissue, a serviette or paper towel. Clothing holds dust, and paper products are rougher than they feel. Both leave fine scratches.
- Household glass cleaner. Products made for windows contain ammonia or other chemicals that strip lens coatings.
- Methylated spirits, acetone, nail polish remover, vinegar or bleach. They damage both coatings and frames.
- Hot water. Heat can crack an anti-reflective coating and warp plastic frames.
- Your breath and a rub. It moves the oil around and grinds in whatever dust is on the lens.
- Saliva. It is not clean and it does not work.
Cleaning glasses when you are out
Keep a small bottle of lens cleaning spray and a microfibre cloth in your bag or car. Spray both sides of each lens, then wipe. Individually wrapped lens wipes made for coated lenses are fine too. If you have neither and the lenses are dusty, wait until you can rinse them.
Wash the cloth itself regularly, by hand with a little dishwashing liquid, and let it air-dry. A dirty cloth simply spreads oil around. Skip the fabric softener, which leaves a film.
Looking after coated lenses
Most modern lenses have at least a scratch-resistant coating, and many have an anti-reflective coating as well. Coatings make smudges more noticeable and are more sensitive to heat and chemicals. The method above is safe for all of them. The two things that ruin coatings fastest are heat, such as a car dashboard in summer, a sauna or a braai fire, and harsh cleaning products.
Can you remove scratches from glasses?
No. Toothpaste, bicarbonate of soda, car wax and scratch-repair kits do not remove scratches from modern lenses. At best they fill the scratch for a while. At worst they strip the coatings and leave the lens hazier than before. Fine scratches that do not bother you can be left alone. If scratches sit in your line of sight, cause glare or tire your eyes, the lenses need to be replaced.
Habits that prevent damage
- Take your glasses off with both hands, so that the frame stays straight.
- Never put them down lenses first.
- Keep them in a hard case when you are not wearing them, not loose in a pocket or bag.
- Do not push them up onto your head. It stretches the frame.
- Do not leave them in a hot car.
- Have loose screws tightened and nose pads replaced before the frame goes skew.
When cleaning is not enough
If your lenses are clean but your vision still seems hazy, or you find yourself wiping them all day, the cause may not be dirt. Worn coatings, deep scratches or a prescription that has changed can all look like "dirty" lenses. How often you should replace your glasses lists the signs. All See Better glasses carry a 1-year warranty.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use dishwashing liquid to clean my glasses?
Yes. A small drop of plain dishwashing liquid with lukewarm water is one of the best ways to clean glasses. Avoid versions with added hand lotion or moisturiser, which leave a film.
Can I clean my glasses with hand sanitiser or alcohol?
It is best not to. Alcohol-based products can damage lens coatings and some frame materials over time. Use dishwashing liquid and water, or a spray made for spectacle lenses.
Why are my glasses always smudged?
Skin oil is transferred from your fingers, eyebrows, cheeks and hair. Lenses with an anti-reflective coating also show smudges more clearly. A daily wash with dishwashing liquid, and handling the glasses by the frame only, makes a big difference.
How often should I clean my glasses?
Wash them properly once a day, and use a clean microfibre cloth or lens spray for touch-ups in between.
This article is general information and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for an eye examination. If you are worried about your eyes or your sight, see an optometrist or a doctor. Sudden loss of vision, eye injuries and severe eye pain are emergencies.
