A Guide on How to Clean Your Glasses

Clean glasses mean improved vision, with no pesky imperfections or smudges getting in the way. There’s nothing more annoying than popping on your glasses in a rush, only to realise they’re covered in dirt or fingerprints. Keep your specs crystal-clear and you’ll notice that not only can you see better, but the glasses themselves will last a much longer time before needing to be replaced. Find out the very best way to clean your glasses with our easy guide to looking after your lenses.

How To Clean Your Glasses

Before attempting to clean your glasses, it is important to know which methods work and which can cause more damage. There are several methods for keeping your frames clean and shiny, whether that’s at home or on the go.

Best Ways to Clean Glasses at Home –

There are a couple of possible methods for cleaning your glasses at home but it is important to ensure you’re using the right equipment. Follow the simple steps below for an easy and effective at-home clean.

Woman cleaning glasses at home

Method 1 - Use Washing Up Liquid

So long as you're careful and clean them regularly, your glasses shouldn't need too thorough of a cleaning. Here, we'll talk about how to clean your glasses in more detail, so you know exactly what to do and what to avoid.

The easiest and most obvious method is just to run your frames under some tap water and hope for the best, however, this does not deliver a thorough and effective cleaning. The most recommended home remedy for cleaning your glasses at home is to use washing-up liquid.

  1. Always start with clean, dry hands dried with a lint-free towel or cloth. This ensures you aren't passing more dirt to the lens by accident, particularly pesky pieces of lint. Use fragrance-free soap if you have sensitive skin or eyes and wash with water thoroughly. 
  2. Next, rinse your specs under running lukewarm water. You don't want it to be too hot or heavy flowing, but rather a warm, gentle stream. This removes any larger pieces of fluff or other debris that sits on top of the lens. Don't use hot water, as this can damage the lens coatings.
  3. To clean your glasses, add a drop of washing-up liquid between your fingers and gently rub until bubbles are formed. 
  4. Apply this to the lenses, making sure to cover the whole lens as equally as possible, and rinse under lukewarm, running water.  You must remove all of the solution to reduce the risk of smudging or residue.
  5. Dry them gently but thoroughly with a clean microfibre cloth or a lint-free towel, making sure to be gentle enough not to leave any streaks.
  6. Finally, check for streaks and smudges that have been left over in the cleaning process. If you spot any, wipe the lenses with a clean microfiber cloth.

Method 2 - Alcohol-Free Cleaning Spray

Most experts would recommend using an alcohol-free cleaning spray and a microfibre cloth. Certain materials used in glasses can react negatively with the alcohol which can sometimes lead to warping and even melting of the frame.

  1. Firstly, apply the spray to the microfibre cloth and not the lenses. Some lenses, such as those on rimless frames, contain drill holes. Spraying directly onto the lens can cause the liquid to enter these holes which can hurt the lenses in the future. 
  2. Carefully wipe the lenses with the microfibre cloth, ensuring you’re providing a thorough clean without damaging the glasses. Make sure to remove any excess liquid from the lens and frame.

Regardless of which method you choose, it is important to ensure that your microfibre cloth is also kept clean. It is recommended that you wash the cloth regularly in plain water no warmer than 40 ° C. This will prevent the cloth from leaving streaks on the next cleaning.

Whilst cleaning your lenses, it is best to give the rest of your frame a clean. This is not only beneficial for hygiene reasons but cleaning helps to remove grease from nose pads and arms. Removing grease will help improve grip and prevent your glasses from slipping.

Clean Your Glasses On the Go –

If you’re out and about and you notice a smudge on your lens, what’s the first thing you reach for? Most of us would go for the shirt sleeve or scarf. They do the job well enough, don’t they? Wrong. They may seem like a quick and easy solution, but they’re doing more bad than good. These rough and unclean surfaces will only increase the number of smudges and streaks on your lenses and some may even leave scratches.

Glasses are at their most vulnerable when we’re out and about. Wind, rain and debris can cause all sorts of problems at the time and can be an even bigger nuisance long term. It is important to be able to tackle any of these problems as quickly as possible to improve clarity and also prevent any long-term damage.

We recommend keeping alcohol-free spray and a microfibre cloth in your car or bag to keep your glasses clean during the day. Alternatively, lens wipes can be used for an even quicker clean.

woman cleaning her glasses with microfiber cloth

How to Deep Clean Your Glasses

If you’re looking for the most effective clean, your best bet is to use an ultrasonic cleaner. These can be purchased online or in specialist stores and can also be found in many opticians. Ultrasonic cleaners offer the most gentle and effective way of removing dirt and smudges. It takes just minutes to breathe new life into your glasses and bring them back to their former glory.

A deep clean machine will help remove and prevent the build-up of grease and grime in your frames. This is crucial in keeping your frames clean and hygienic, as well as helping to protect the longevity of your glasses.

For at-home cleaning, use clean lukewarm water. High temperatures can cause warping of the frame and lenses. Tap water is acceptable, however, filtered water is recommended by experts for the most hygienic clean.

If you are using your own personal cleaner, it is important to remember to change the water regularly to ensure the highest quality cleaning possible.

Not interested in purchasing your own device? Many opticians will be happy to clean your glasses in their cleaner. It is recommended to clean your glasses every six months.

How to Keep Your Glasses Clean

Expert Tips

  • Store your glasses in a hard case when they aren’t being used
  • Avoid touching the lenses with your hands or fingers
  • Take off glasses with both hands to prevent bending the frame
  • Ensure the cleaning cloth is kept clean to prevent streaks
  • Avoid high heat, temperatures of 80c can lead to cracks or warping

Things to Avoid

  • Don't use your t-shirt or any other rough material to clean your glasses. This will do much more damage than it will good, so only use micro-fibre cloths, even when on the go.
  • As tempting as it may be while you're out and about, don't use saliva or fragranced lotion on your glasses. Avoid harsh household glass cleaners, as they can damage your glasses and peel away the anti-reflective coating.
  • Avoid paper towels, tissues or toilet roll to clean your glasses. Again, stick with a microfiber cloth as paper towels will leave behind lots of lint or even scratches.
  • If you spot a scratch in your glasses, avoid buffing them too much. This will make it much worse, as scratches can’t be removed this way.

Need to replace your old pair of glasses, or looking for some sunnies? Shop the stylish range of prescription glasses at Spex4Less. We offer a variety of affordable designer brands, including Ralph Lauren, Ray-Ban and Superdry.