The feeling of always having smudges on your lenses, even right after taking your glasses out of their case, may be due to a lack of "deep" maintenance. Cleaning your glasses should be done daily and systematically, even if most of the time the cleaner used is simply soap. Over time, residue builds up, micro-scratches accumulate, and your vision suffers. Proper eyeglass maintenance using the right cleaner, appropriate cloth, or a dedicated device is essential for extending the life of your glasses and ensuring comfortable vision.
Hand-cleaning your glasses
Dishwashing liquid soap is a very good cleaning product for glasses. After wetting the glasses (lenses and frame) with cold or lukewarm water, apply a drop of dishwashing liquid to each lens and rub gently between your fingers. The frames should be cleaned carefully before rinsing everything with clear water. If air-drying isn’t effective enough, use an extremely soft, lint-free cloth like microfiber to wipe both the lenses and the frame. Be careful not to use water that is too hot when cleaning your glasses.
Be careful not to use water that is too hot when cleaning your glasses.
Cleaning glasses with suitable spray or wipes
These products, available from opticians among others, are suitable for cleaning glasses and very convenient, as they easily fit into a pocket or handbag. The wipes are impregnated with a cleaning solution and made of microfiber to avoid scratches on the lenses—unlike paper towels or tissues, which can cause micro-scratches.
Cleaning glasses with white vinegar
White vinegar has many qualities, especially its ability to restore shine to eyeglass lenses. It effectively degreases while disinfecting for a like-new feeling. Mix equal parts of water and white vinegar, soak a dry microfiber cloth in the mixture, and gently rub the lenses. Wipe with the same dry microfiber cloth. Avoid fabrics like shirt hems, scarf ends, or T-shirt bottoms, which can damage your lenses and impair your vision. You can also make your own spray cleaner by filling a small spray bottle with the water and vinegar mixture.
Cleaning glasses with carbon
This pocket-sized device using carbon fiber is designed for cleaning eyeglass lenses. It uses molecular carbon technology, which recharges (almost) indefinitely after each use and remains effective for at least 500 cleanings. First, the lens is gently brushed to remove any debris, which is then cleaned off. This device is very effective for removing embedded stains that impair vision and may cloud your lenses over time.
Cleaning glasses with ultrasound
Ultrasonic cleaning can be compared to the cleaning done at an optician’s shop, but it can be done at home. No stain resists this method—it is highly effective and safe for both frames and lenses. Regardless of how dirty they are, ultrasound cleans both lenses and frames thoroughly, leaving your glasses as clean as the day you bought them.
Ultrasonic cleaning is done in a specific device. With a tank of varying size, place your glasses in a basket that is then immersed in the tank. The solution used is a mixture of water and a concentrated cleaning product designed for this purpose. The device emits ultrasonic waves and provides thorough cleaning—even of the smallest parts of the frame. Very dirty glasses need around 90 seconds to come out sparkling clean, while lightly soiled ones only take a few seconds. The ultrasonic device includes a timer to set the optimal duration to remove even the most stubborn dirt.
