How to clean lenses properly
Lenses need looking after
Glasses take a lot of punishment over the years. If there is one thing we have learned from the thousands of glasses that arrive at our repair workshops, it is that if you use spectacles daily to aid your vision, they will need regular maintenance.
Glasses used less regularly, such as sunglasses, can perhaps be kept in a drawer or left lying around until needed and don’t need quite as much care. However, when you do use them, glasses protect your eyes from everyday dirt and dust, handle sweat and skin oils, and are probably handled several times a day.
It's no wonder they need regular cleaning and careful handling to stay in tip-top condition. Our expert technicians are adamant that regular cleaning keeps your vision clear and helps extend their lifespan before they need repair or replacement. But it's easy to damage your specs by cleaning them incorrectly or using the wrong cleaning materials. Knowing the best way to clean your glasses helps. Here are tips from our repair staff to help you keep your glasses looking like new for as long as possible.
Cleaning glasses lenses
Before cleaning your lenses, wash your hands. Oils and dirt transfer easily to glass and polycarbonate; if they are on your hands, they'll likely end up on your lenses. Any gritty material on your hands or fingers may even cause tiny scratches on the lens surfaces, so it's best to start properly. Don't lick lenses to clean them. It's unhygienic, and saliva is not good at cleaning anyway.
You can run glasses under a gentle stream of lukewarm tap water. Don't let the water get too hot, though, as this may damage some coatings. It will remove dust and debris but is unlikely to affect grease stains or smears. Adding a tiny drop of dishwashing liquid will help, but be sure to remove all soapy traces or the lenses will smear when they dry. Avoid using soaps or cleaners that contain ammonia or other harsh chemicals.
Your lenses may have specialist coatings that are sensitive to the strong chemicals often found in household cleaners. Hold glasses properly when cleaning them. Do not hold glasses by the arms or hinges when cleaning. Our repair staff can cite plenty of examples where rubbing pressure on the lenses has strained the hinge and bent the arm out of shape. Holding the frames firmly with your forefinger and thumb across the bridge is best. This leaves plenty of room to clean without damaging more delicate parts of the eyewear. Sometimes dirt builds up around the hinges or between the lenses and the frame. Use a soft toothbrush and warm soapy water, but be careful not to touch the lenses with the bristles.
Lens cleaning products
We recommend using cleaning sprays, which are ideal for thoroughly cleaning lenses. They usually come in small pump-action bottles. Many of our customers spray the cleaner directly onto the lens, but this is not a good idea. Lenses may have tiny drill holes, which can cause damage over time if filled with cleaning fluid. Far better to spray a microfibre cleaning cloth and wipe the lens with it. It ensures you clean the lens with just enough moisture to remove grease and grime.
Specialist lens cleaners will be safe and effective on all lens surfaces, including coated lenses. Gently rub the lens in a circular motion with the cloth until the glass is clear, then wipe away any excess. If your lenses have anti-reflective (AR) coating, make sure the cleaner is approved for use on anti-reflective lenses.
Optical quality cleaning cloths
Our repair experts say optical-quality microfibre cloths are best for cleaning glasses and spectacles. They are soft, lint-free and have no nylon hem that may cause damage. The higher the quality, the better the job. Cheaper cloths tend to break down with use, splitting the fibres and leaving lint residues. Good quality glass cloths are essential for a streak-free surface. Optical-quality cleaning cloths are very soft, washable, easy to rinse and can be used on all sensitive surfaces, such as cameras, laptops, mobile phones and even wine glasses.
For best results, wash cleaning cloths regularly, preferably at temperatures below 40 degrees and without fabric softener. Using paper towels, tissues, dishcloths or clothing to wipe your lenses may seem more convenient, but you should avoid it. Paper towels are made from wood-chip pulp treated with bleaching solutions and may produce tiny micro-scratches on any lens surface coating. Your coat sleeve or other clothing can also transfer dirt or debris onto the lens, which can cause microscopic scratches, even on modern polycarbonate lenses with a hard coating.
Lens cleaning wipes
Lens wipes are a popular alternative to cleaning sprays. Wipes are often individually wrapped, which makes them highly portable. You can pop a couple into your pocket or handbag for use anytime. Lens wipes allow gentle, thorough cleaning without risk of damage. They dry fast and leave a streak-free finish. Good-quality lens wipes are made from micro-fine tissue and don't contain harsh cleaning agents.
The cleaning fluid used in lens wipes is also designed to evaporate quickly, avoiding the need for a cleaning cloth. Cleaning cloths can get dirty and pick up dust and grime, while spray bottles take up space to carry. Pre-moistened lens wipes, on the other hand, are small, often folded into even smaller sachets, very convenient and easy to use.
Ultrasonic lens cleaning
Many consider ultrasonic cleaning the gentlest and most effective way to remove dirt from lenses and glasses frames. A high-frequency ultrasonic cleaner can clean with great detail. Ultrasonic cleaners use sound waves between 20 and 400 kHz to clean objects. Combining ultrasonic waves with an appropriate cleaning solution cleans much more thoroughly and with far less abrasion than other methods.
High-frequency sound waves promote cavitation bubbles that clean dirt from an object's surface at a microscopic level, ideal for complex surfaces with crevices, cracks or parts that are hard to clean manually. It removes dirt, grease and grime to leave lenses crystal-clear and glasses feeling "like new". An ultrasonic bath is the ideal cleaning system for spectacles, watches, jewellery and similar items.
Look after your lenses
Glasses with crystal-clear lenses are a joy to wear, with no smears, streaks or mist to spoil the view. But good care is essential, and you need a thorough yet gentle clean regularly to maintain clear vision and keep lenses looking their best. All spectacle lenses will get scratches from regular everyday use and exposure to the elements.
Glasses will occasionally get dropped, misplaced or mishandled. After a few years, your glasses will need cleaning and, at some point, professional attention to remove ingrained dirt and oily residue. The good news is that lens-cleaning products are reasonably priced and highly effective at keeping glasses clean. When handling glasses, hold them by the frames using both hands, and when putting them away, always place them upside down with the bridge at the bottom. This will reduce the risk of scratching your lenses. Store your glasses in a case when not in use to protect them, and don't leave them somewhere hot, such as near a radiator or in sunlight – specialist coatings can crack and peel.
Learn more about lenses
Replace damaged lenses
How not to repair lenses
Buyers guide to lenses