eyeglass cleaning four pairs on yellow surface female hand grabbing

Eyeglass Cleaning Guide: Best and Worst Methods for Crystal Clear Lenses

/Updated /26 Comments/in , , /by Mary Hunt

Maintaining clear vision and preserving the longevity of your eyeglasses hinges on effective care practices. By mastering the best techniques for cleaning your lenses, you can prevent damage and maintain lasting clarity. Explore essential tips and expert advice on how to clean eyeglasses properly to safeguard your investment in clear vision.

eyeglass cleaning four pairs on yellow surface female hand grabbing

You just paid a small fortune for new eyeglasses. On top of the cost of prescription lenses and fashionable frames, you opted for anti-reflective, anti-scratch, and UV coatings.

After all, eyesight is precious, and it’s only wise to do all you can to protect it, right? Absolutely! But here’s the deal: You may be destroying your investment one eyeglass cleaning at a time.

Modern-day lens coatings for eyeglasses are revolutionary in the way that they protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, but also provide comfort for your eyes. And these coatings are fairly durable. Just know that Anti-Scratch does not mean 100% scratch-proof. It only somewhat helps to prevent minor scratches that can easily happen to a regular lens.

Worst Ways to Clean Your Eyeglasses

Avoid these “never-ever” methods for cleaning your eyeglasses, as they can damage the coatings, stripping them of their protective qualities and leaving them worse off:

  • Window or glass and mirror cleaner
  • Ammonia
  • Bleach
  • Vinegar
  • Lemon juice
  • Toothpaste
  • Paper towels
  • Facial tissues
  • Exhaling onto the lenses
  • Using your shirt

The wood pulp in paper towels and facial tissues and the tiny fibers in shirt fabric can make fine scratches, eventually creating a kind of visual haze that’s impossible to remove. Think of paper and fabric as extremely fine-grit sandpaper.

Now that we’ve covered what not to do, let’s explore the best methods for cleaning and protecting your eyeglasses to maintain their beauty and extend their lifespan.

Best Ways to Clean and Protect Your Eyeglasses

For optimal care and longevity, consider these effective methods to clean and safeguard your eyeglasses:

  • Water
  • Dishwashing liquid
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Microfiber cloth
  • Lens wipes

How to Clean Eyeglasses Properly

eyeglass cleaning best way to clean glasses microfiber cloth

Follow these steps to ensure your eyeglasses and sunglasses stay clean and in excellent condition:

  1. Begin by rinsing your glasses under lukewarm water. Avoid using hot water, as it can potentially reduce the lifespan of lenses with coatings.
  2. Apply a small drop of dish soap—such as blue Dawn—onto your fingertips. Gently massage both sides of the lenses and the nose pads. Dish soap is recommended by the American Optometric Association for its effectiveness in cleaning eyeglasses at home.
  3. Rinse thoroughly with warm water, then gently dry with a clean microfiber cloth. Use gentle strokes to avoid lint residue, leaving your glasses spotless.
  4. Throughout the day, maintain cleanliness with individually-wrapped lens wipes. Alternatively, a quick spritz of rubbing alcohol followed by a microfiber cloth can effectively remove smudges and dirt.

These methods not only ensure clarity but also protect the coatings that enhance your eyeglasses’ durability and performance.

Deep Cleaning Solution

If your eyeglasses are overdue for a thorough clean, consider investing in an eyeglass cleaning machine for a deep-cleaning experience that removes stubborn gunk and grime from hinges, nose pieces, pads, and crevices—without compromising protective coatings*. This maintenance step is essential to preserve the longevity and clarity of your eyeglasses.

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Magnasonic Professional Ultrasonic Eyeglasses and Jewelry Cleaner

When using an ultrasound cleaning machine like the Magnasonic Professional Ultrasonic Eyeglasses and Jewelry Cleaner, prioritize using clean lukewarm water, even if the instructions suggest hot water. High temperatures can potentially distort frames and lens coatings. While tap water is acceptable, filtered water is recommended for optimal results.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely, and within just 10 minutes, your eyeglasses will emerge brilliantly clean. It’s a simple yet effective way to maintain the pristine condition of your eyewear.

*Caution: Ultrasound cleaning is not recommended for eyeglasses with scratched lenses, as it may exacerbate existing damage.

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Question: What’s your secret to keeping your eyeglasses spotless and scratch-free? Share your best cleaning tips with us.

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26 replies
  1. Linda Radosevich says:

    I worked for an optometrist for 18 years and soap and water was our preferred method of cleaning.
    One time a patient returned with her new lenses with guaranteed anti-scratch coating to show us. They were a mess! We replaced the lenses, but a few weeks later she returned- same problem! We again replaced the lenses. When she picked this pair up, she solved the mystery: she found an emery board in her soft-sided glasses case, so every time she carefully put her glasses away, the lenses scraped over the emery board. Problem solved!

    Reply
  2. becky says:

    I use the homemade lenses cleaner, that is water alcohol and dawn. The secret is do not spray it directly on the glasses, spray it on the cloth and then wipe your lenses. It works great and will not ruin your glasses.

    Reply
  3. Linda D Radosevich says:

    I have a funny story to share…I worked for an optometrist for 18 years, and one of our longtime clients had purchased new lenses with the anti-scratch coating, which was guaranteed by the company. A few weeks after she picked up her new glasses, she came back to show us her scratched lenses! She swore she had handled them carefully, always kept them in a soft case when not being worn. We replaced the lenses at no charge to her. She picked them up when they arrived, and a few days later came back, to show us that her NEW lenses were scratched just like the old ones! We all were very mystified. Again, we ordered new lenses for her. When she came to pick up her now third pair of glasses, she had solved the mystery – unknown to her, an emery board had slipped into her soft case, and every time she slid her glasses in or out, the emery board was doing it’s damage! Mystery solved!

    Reply
  4. adeedo says:

    I place a small amount of Palmolive aded to sparklets water ( less chance of impurities that fog as it is spring water. Place the solution. in unused dish soap dispenser and set it by the sink, ready to use. Note avoid shaking the dispenser as it will create bubbles, of course.

    Reply
  5. Linda D Radosevich says:

    I have a funny story having to do with lenses…I worked for an optometrist for 18 years, and one of our patients had ordered a pair of plastic lenses with the guaranteed anti-scratch coating. A week after she picked up her glasses, she brought them back with many scratches on the lenses! She’d been very careful to always keep them in a soft case when she wasn’t wearing them, and when she put them down, to make sure they weren’t resting on the lenses. We replaced the lenses, and she picked them up, again. And AGAIN, a week later, she was back with scratched lenses! She started investigating as to what was causing these scratches, and to her chagrin, found an emery board inside her soft glasses case! Mystery solved!

    Reply
  6. Linda Radosevich says:

    Another reason NOT to pull out a shirt tail to clean your glasses: there could be dust particles on your lenses that will scratch them. I worked for an optometrist for 18 years, and rinsing under warm running water was always the first step to cleaning glasses, followed by dish soap.

    Reply
  7. Pat C says:

    I have plastic lenses with an anti-scratch as well as ant-reflection coating. I just use water and regular hand soap (Ivory or Ivory knock off not the kind that has hand cream built in) and dry on a clean dry bath/hand/tea towel. I’ve been doing this forever, as in nearly 60 years. It removes the greasy finger prints and doesn’t damage either coating or cause scratches .

    Reply
  8. keyur patel says:

    I’ve been using iCloths (iCloth – Select a wipe size for your device) or (Amazon.com: iCloth) for several years now. They are the perfect phone screen cleaner, hands down!! I’ve tried other products from dry cloths, to alcohol rubs, to my t-shirt, nothing else comes close to clearing so thoroughly.

    Reply
  9. Julie says:

    My formula for cleaning eyeglass lenses is 50% distilled water and 50% rubbing alcohol in a small spray bottle. Shake and spray lenses both sides then wipe with a microfiber cloth. I bought my excellent quality microfiber cloths from FlyLady.com.

    Reply
  12. plantsower says:

    I have the antireflective coating. The one time I used alcohol to clean my glasses with alcohol, they fogged up and were ruined. I would cautioned against this just in case. I know it doesn’t happen to everyone, but it happened to me so I steer clear.

    Reply
  13. Luisa says:

    I’m glad to have this information. I’ve long used Dawn to wash my glasses, so that’s good, but I’m guilty sometimes of wiping them on my shirt in a pinch. I will protect those oatings b etter now.

    Reply
  14. Jeffiekins says:

    I can tell you’re a female person, because you left out a wonderful and safe way to do a quick minor cleaning: breathe on them until they’re foggy, and use a silk necktie in place of microfiber. When I’m at a wedding and someone’s taking pictures, it’s my go-to, and they always look clear in the photo.

    Reply
  15. crabbyoldlady says:

    Do you still recommend homemade lens cleaning solution? It’s half water, half alcohol and two drops of Dawn.

    Reply
  16. Hajime Sano says:

    What do you think of Costco’s individually-wrapped lens wipes? https://www.costco.com/Wipe-‘n-Clear-Lens-Wipe%2C-225-Soft-Quilted-Lens-Wipes.product.100380246.html I think they cost around $12 for 200 wipes.

    Years ago, they used to carry Bausch & Lomb lens wipes, a very well known brand in the optics field. They now carry Flents- not as well known and not an optics specialist.

    Reply
  17. John Williamson says:

    I did get the Ukoke (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074J8VSC5) but now I find myself wondering … did I do the wrong thing?

    At first, the deep cleaning did a fantastic job, and it would be a long time before I needed another deep cleaning, but now it seems as if only a few days and my glasses are dirtier than they got previously.

    Could it be that these deep cleaning cycles are, over time, removing the anti-scratch coating or something weird like that? I’m thinking that when I get my next prescription, I’ll get one pair of glasses without any coatings, and use it in the Ukoke, but not allow myself to use the coated lenses there.

    Reply
    • Chris says:

      This article gives the worst advice ever. Never use alcohol on your lenses especially if they have anti glare or other coatings.

      Reply
  19. rivesmcadoo says:

    I’m a fan of water and Dawn, also. But I’m curious–what’s wrong with using warm breath to steam them up, followed by a microfiber cloth?

    Reply
  20. Evan says:

    I find simple water and liquid soap great. I gently rub the soap on the lenses between the fingers under running water until they ‘squeak’ (the running water maintains a lubricating film between your fingers and the lens to avoid scratching while rubbing). Then gently dab (not rub) with a soft tissue to mop up the remaining water droplets. Avoid rubbing with paper products like tissues or hand towels as paper is surprisingly abrasive – especially on plastic lenses.

    Reply

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