How to Clean Glasses Without Scratching the Lenses

Clean lenses help you see better and make coatings last longer. The method takes a minute.

The daily clean

1. Wash your hands so you don’t add oil or lotion.
2. Rinse the glasses under lukewarm water to remove grit.
3. Add a drop of lotion-free dish soap and rub gently over both sides of the lenses, the nose pads and the frame.
4. Rinse thoroughly.
5. Shake off water and dry with a clean microfiber cloth.

On the go

Use a lens cleaning spray and a microfiber cloth, or individually wrapped lens wipes. Blow or brush off dust first so you don’t grind it into the lens.

What to avoid

• Paper towels, napkins and tissues (wood fibers scratch)
• Clothing (traps grit)
• Saliva or breath alone (doesn’t remove oils)
• Household cleaners: glass cleaner, ammonia, bleach, vinegar
• Hot water and dashboards in the sun, which can damage coatings

Microfiber cloth care

Wash your cloths regularly without fabric softener, which leaves residue. A dirty cloth just spreads oil around.

Frames and pads

Clean hinges and pads with soapy water and a soft toothbrush. If your frames feel loose or tilt, an optical shop can tighten and adjust them, often for free.

Storage

• Keep glasses in a hard case when not wearing them.
• If you put them down, place them lenses up.
• Don’t push glasses up onto your head, which stretches the frame.