Glasses are pretty low-maintenance, especially compared to contact lenses, but they do require a bit of care to keep them free from scratches that can compromise your vision. Use this guide to understand the best methods for cleaning and caring for your eyeglasses, and you’ll save yourself time and money on replacements.

Cleaning Glasses

At the end of the day, you’ll undoubtedly see a few smudges on your eyeglasses. Clean your glasses daily for best results. Follow these simple steps:

1. Wash and dry your hands to avoid transferring any oils or debris onto your glasses.
2. Rinse glasses with warm water. Avoid hot water, which can damage lenses and protective coatings. Also, never clean glasses when they’re dry, which simply smears the debris across the lenses and may cause scratches.
3. Add a small amount of lotion-free liquid dishwashing liquid to each lens. This step is not absolutely necessary, but a mild dishwashing liquid will not harm lenses. You might also use an approved eyeglass cleaning solution for this step, but do make sure not to overspray it.
4. While the lenses are wet, gently rub both sides of the lenses with your fingers, whether you’re using warm water only, dishwashing liquid or a cleaning solution. Then move to the temples and other parts of the glasses.
5. Rinse the glasses once more using warm water, and then shake them to remove excess water.
6. Using the microfiber polishing cloth that comes with every pair of Payne Glasses, gently wipe down the lenses and other parts of the glasses to polish them.
7. Inspect your glasses again. If there are still smudges, use another clean, dry microfiber cloth to gently wipe them again.
8. Hand wash microfiber cloths to keep them clean and free from debris. If you need more cloths, you can always order more from Payne.

These steps should adequately clean glasses, including prescription, blue light and sunglasses, on a daily basis. However, you might want to do a deep cleaning every week or so. If you have a buildup of debris in small nooks like the area where the frame meets the hinges, try using a clean cotton swab to dislodge the debris before you start the cleaning process. During this deep cleaning process, you can also check over your glasses to see if you need to tighten any screws, if you have any scratches or if your nose pads need replacing or attention.

You might also consider using a moist towelette with rubbing alcohol to remove buildup from the nose pads of your glasses. Since this area touches your face, it tends to collect oil and germs. Be sure to use this only on the nose pads, however.

Some opticians and optometrists offer professional eyeglass cleaning with specialized ultrasonic machines. This is a good option if you have a lot of buildup on your glasses or if the nose pads are worn or yellowing. An optician can replace these for you during the cleaning process.

Finally, if you’re having trouble with fogging (especially when wearing a mask or entering high-humidity areas), try Payne’s anti-fog lens cleaner. It helps prevent moisture, so your glasses won’t fog up.

What to Avoid When Cleaning Glasses

Avoid wiping glasses with your shirt tail or using saliva or hard water to wet your glasses. Don’t use paper towels, napkins or tissues to clean glasses, as they may scratch them or fray and leave behind bits of themselves. Also, avoid using household glass cleaners on eyeglasses, as these products can damage lenses and protective coatings. Finally, don’t try to buff away scratches on lenses. This usually damages the lenses. Instead, take them to an eyeglass maker for possible repair.

Storing Glasses

The best way to keep your glasses from getting damaged when you’re not wearing them is to use an eyeglass storage case or pouch. This will protect them from getting scratched or broken. You might even want to order an extra case for backup.

If you’re not using a case or pouch, it is best to place them securely on a flat surface, resting upright and with the temples open. Never place them face down so that they rest on the lenses.

You’ll also want to avoid leaving your glasses in extreme heat, which can warp lenses and frames. Never place them on the dashboard of your vehicle in the sunlight.

Traveling With Glasses

Don’t skip cleaning glasses when you’re on the road. Keep them safe and in working order by first carrying them in a travel case with room for spare pairs and repair items. Second, bring along a microfiber cloth for cleaning along with some solution, or simply use water. This is easy enough do to, especially if you already have a travel case to keep everything handy and in one place.

Updating Glasses

While it’s true that you can keep glasses looking and working well for a long time, it’s important to note that you do need to update your glasses from time to time. They’re not meant to last forever. For one thing, styles change, and you’ll want to keep your look fresh. For another, your vision could change. Find out more in this Payne blog.

If you already have your prescription and are ready to order from Payne, check out our information on how to buy glasses online. If you have other questions, visit our frequently asked questions page.

To help you keep your glasses looking and working their best, check out Payne’s eyeglass accessories like cases, storage organizers, ear grips, microfiber cloths, eyeglass chains, repair tools and more.

Do you have questions about cleaning and caring for your Payne glasses? We are here to help you maximize your purchase, so feel free to contact us anytime. 

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Sources:
https://www.allaboutvision.com/eyeglasses/how-to-clean-glasses.htm