Eyewear is a functional solution for vision correction, and it is a way to express one’s personality and sense of style. After going through the process of selecting a suitable color of frame considering your lifestyle and personality and its durability and safety, taking proper care of your eyeglasses should be paramount. Whether you wear prescription glasses or sunshades properly cleaning your glasses is a necessity. If you have ever worn glasses then you would know how irritating having dust, dirt, or grease stuck on your lenses which could be the cause of eye strain or headaches a-times. Also, bacteria is likely to grow on glasses that haven’t been cleaned in a while. Cleaning glasses is a normal routine that comes with wearing glasses although some people would swear that they have never wiped their glasses since it was gotten- they would just pick them up and wear them which is so wrong.
Follow these simple yet effective tips to clean your eyeglass lenses and frames to keep your glasses in top condition. These cleaning tips will also help you keep your sunglasses, safety glasses, and sports eyewear in great shape.
STEPS TO PROPERLY CLEAN YOUR GLASSES
- Do it daily: You must clean your lenses every day. Make it a habit and your vision and glasses will thank you for it.
- Wash and dry your hands; Before cleaning your eyeglasses, wash your hands thoroughly.
- Frame first: Wipe away facial oil on the temple, bridge, and nose pad. This helps to avoid smears when cleaning the lenses.
- Use lukewarm water: Run your glasses across lukewarm water. DO NOT use very hot water or iced water as they can damage the lens coating.
- Soap: The soap for use is any antibacterial soap or dishwasher to wash off the frame and lenses. Avoid citrus-based soaps. Use only a tiny amount. Or apply a drop or two to your fingertips before touching the lenses.
- Gently rub both sides of the lenses and all parts of the frame: Make sure you clean every part of your glasses, including the nose pads and the temples of the frame. Also, clean the area where the edge of the lenses meets the frame — dust, debris, and skin oils frequently accumulate here.
- Rinse both sides of the lenses and the frame.
- Failing to remove all traces of soap will cause the lenses to be smeared when you dry them.
- Gently shake your glasses to get rid of most of the water on the lenses.
- Inspect the lenses carefully to make sure they are clean.
- Lens cleaner: In the absence of dish soap, a lens cleaner is used. Spray your glasses on both sides with a cleaning solution. Wipe your glasses down with the microfiber cloth.
- For touch-up cleaning of your eyeglass lenses, use disposable lens cleaning wipes. These are formulated specifically for use on eyeglass lenses.
- Store your glasses in a case: Eyeglass lenses can easily get scratched if you fail to store them somewhere safe. This includes when you take them off at bedtime. Always store your eyeglasses in a clean storage case, and NEVER place them on a table or counter with the lenses facing down.
- If you don’t have a glasses case handy, place your glasses upside down with the temples open — somewhere safe, where they won’t get knocked off a table or countertop.
MATERIALS TO AVOID!!!
Clothes: We know it’s convenient but Please and please keep your clothes to yourself. Using your shirt, sleeve, handkerchief or paper towel might seem innocent enough especially when the lenses are dry but the truth is that these items contain dust and other particles that can scratch or smear your lenses or leave them full of lint.
Saliva: Using your spit or breath as a quick way to clean your glasses is tempting as this is highly unhygienic and certainly not effective. Dust and oil will remain where they are and worsen as you attempt cleaning.
Surface Cleaners: DON’T use toothpaste, window cleaner, or disinfectant. Stronger chemical cleaners especially ammonia can damage lenses and lens coatings.
DON’T try to “buff away” a scratch in your lenses. This only makes the situation worse.
HAVING YOUR GLASSES PROFESSIONALLY CLEANED
if you’re noticing repeated breakouts on your nose or around your ears where your glasses touch your face or If your glasses have an oily buildup around the ears or nose that doesn’t go away after your own attempts to clean them, then a professional cleaning might be the answer.
Optometrists offer professional cleaning services. If you got your glasses from us you can bring them in for a complimentary cleaning service.
It’s also worth asking for a cleaning every time you get your eyeglasses adjusted or go for your annual eye exam.
TAKEHOME
Cleaning your eyeglasses regularly should become a part of your daily routine. This will help you see more clearly and it can also prevent eye infections and dermatological conditions such as blackheads and acne.