Eyeglass Care • Lens Cleaning • Frame Maintenance
How to Clean Eyeglasses Properly
Most people clean their glasses every day, but many do it in ways that gradually scratch the lenses and damage coatings. The right technique keeps your lenses clear and your investment protected.
Eyeglasses are a precision optical instrument that most people clean multiple times a day. Despite this frequency, a surprising number of common cleaning habits, from using shirt tails to blowing on lenses before wiping, cause cumulative damage to lens coatings and surfaces that reduces clarity and shortens the life of your glasses.
At Upper West Optical, we take a few minutes with every patient to explain proper lens care, because well-maintained lenses perform better and last significantly longer than those subjected to daily improper cleaning.
The Right Way to Clean Your Glasses
Rinse First
Always rinse your lenses under lukewarm running water before wiping. This removes loose grit and dust particles that would otherwise act as abrasives and scratch the lens surface during cleaning.
Use Lens-Safe Soap
A tiny drop of lotion-free dishwashing liquid applied to each lens and gently worked in with clean fingertips effectively removes oils, smudges, and debris without harming any lens coatings.
Dry With a Microfiber Cloth
After rinsing away the soap, gently dry and polish the lenses with a clean, lint-free microfiber cloth. This is the only safe fabric for lens cleaning and should be washed regularly to stay effective.
What Never to Use on Your Lenses
Shirt Tails and Tissues
Fabric clothing fibers and paper tissues are significantly rougher than they appear and contain particles that scratch lens surfaces and damage anti-reflective coatings with every use, even gently.
Household Cleaners
Window cleaner, alcohol-based sanitizers, and kitchen sprays contain chemicals that strip anti-reflective coatings and can permanently cloud or craze lens surfaces within just a few applications.
Hot Water
Hot or very warm water can warp plastic frames, loosen lens settings, and damage certain lens coatings. Always use lukewarm water when rinsing glasses for cleaning purposes.
Best Daily Cleaning Practices
- Rinse under lukewarm water before every cleaning to remove abrasive particles
- Use only lotion-free dish soap or a dedicated lens cleaning spray on the lenses
- Always use a clean, designated microfiber cloth and wash it weekly
- Never dry-wipe lenses without rinsing first, even with a microfiber cloth
- Store glasses in a case when not wearing them to prevent dust, scratches, and frame distortion
- Carry a small spray bottle of lens cleaner and a microfiber cloth for on-the-go cleaning
- Never place glasses lens-down on any surface, even briefly
Caring for Specific Lens Coatings
Anti-Reflective Coatings
AR coatings are the most sensitive to improper cleaning. They smudge more visibly than uncoated lenses and are damaged by alcohol, ammonia, and abrasive materials. Soap and water or dedicated AR-safe spray is essential.
Photochromic Lenses
Photochromic lenses are cleaned the same way as standard lenses. Avoid leaving them in very hot environments such as car dashboards in summer, as extreme heat can affect the photochromic chemistry over time.
Polarized Lenses
Polarized lenses have a polarizing film that can be damaged by harsh chemicals. Use only mild soap and water or a dedicated lens spray, and dry with a soft microfiber cloth rather than paper products.
When to See Us for Professional Cleaning
Occasionally bringing your glasses in for a professional ultrasonic cleaning removes buildup from around nose pads, hinges, and frame edges that home cleaning cannot reach. It also gives us the opportunity to check that the frame is still properly adjusted and that the lenses are still sitting in the optimal position for your vision.
At Upper West Optical, we are always happy to clean and adjust your glasses whether you purchased them from us or not. Keeping your glasses in good condition between exams is part of the ongoing care we provide to every patient.
Visit Us for a Professional Clean and Adjustment
Well-maintained glasses see better and last longer. Stop by Upper West Optical for a professional ultrasonic cleaning and frame adjustment, and ask about the best care products for your specific lenses.
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