Stop Cleaning Your Glasses With Your Shirt: The Right Way to Care for Your Lenses
We’ve all done it. You notice a fingerprint or smudge on your glasses, grab the corner of your shirt, give your lenses a quick wipe, and move on.
It may seem harmless, but regularly cleaning your glasses with your clothing can actually shorten the life of your lenses.
Your glasses are an investment in your vision, and a few simple changes to the way you clean them can help keep your lenses clearer, reduce scratches, and protect any special lens coatings.
Why You Shouldn’t Clean Your Glasses With Your Shirt
Your shirt may feel soft, but clothing is not designed for cleaning eyeglass lenses.
Throughout the day, your glasses can collect dust, dirt, oils, and other small particles. When you wipe a dry lens with your shirt, those particles can become trapped between the fabric and the surface of the lens.
Instead of simply removing the debris, you may be dragging it across the lens.
Over time, this can contribute to tiny surface scratches. These micro scratches may be difficult to notice at first, but as they accumulate, they can make your lenses look cloudy, create glare, and affect how clearly you see through them.
This is especially important if your lenses have coatings such as anti-reflective, scratch-resistant, or other specialty treatments.
What Should You Use to Clean Your Glasses?
For everyday cleaning, we recommend using two simple things:
Microfiber is designed to safely lift oils and debris from lenses without being overly abrasive. Keep your cloth clean and store it somewhere protected so it does not collect dirt or dust.
Lens cleaning spray
Use a cleaning solution made specifically for eyeglasses. A small amount of lens spray can help loosen fingerprints and oils so they can be removed without excessive rubbing.
Spray the cleaner onto your lenses, then gently wipe them with a clean microfiber cloth.
What About Really Dirty Glasses?
If there is visible dust, dirt, or debris on your lenses, avoid immediately rubbing them with a dry cloth.
When possible, rinse the lenses first with lukewarm water to remove loose particles. You can then gently clean and dry them with an appropriate lens cloth.
Avoid very hot water because heat can potentially affect some lens coatings or frame materials.
Other Things to Avoid
Your shirt is not the only thing that can cause problems.
Try to avoid cleaning your glasses with:
Paper towels
Tissues
Napkins
Household glass cleaner
Harsh chemical cleaners
Dirty or previously used cloths
Many common household products are designed for glass surfaces, not prescription lenses and their specialized coatings.
How to Keep Your Glasses in Better Shape
Good lens care goes beyond cleaning.
When you are not wearing your glasses, keep them in a protective case whenever possible. Avoid placing them face down on tables or counters, and try not to leave them in extremely hot environments, such as inside a parked car on a summer afternoon.
It is also a good idea to have your glasses professionally adjusted and cleaned periodically. Loose screws, bent frames, and worn nose pads can all affect how comfortably your glasses fit.
Need a New Cleaning Kit?
If your microfiber cloth disappeared months ago or your lens spray is running low, stop by Blink Optometry in Redding.
Our team can help you find the right products to safely care for your glasses and keep your lenses looking clear.
And if your current lenses are already scratched, damaged, or no longer giving you the clear vision you need, we can help with that too.
Your glasses work hard every day. Give them the care they deserve.
