How to properly clean your glasses

Your glasses are a daily companion and they go through a lot. From protecting your eyes from wind and dirt to coming into contact with the natural oils from your skin, they can become dirty really quickly. And keeping them clean is just part of your daily upkeep as it can lengthen the life of your glasses themselves and also make seeing through them easier – smudges and grime build-up aren’t easy to see through.

Whether you’re improving old habits, realising you need to clean them more often, or just getting used to your new glasses, learn how to keep your glasses clean with Leightons in this two-part guide for both frames and lenses.

How to clean your glasses lenses

You’re going to need to clean your glasses fairly often – at least every day preferably or any time to notice smudges and dirt.

  1. Start with clean hands – washing your hands with soap and water ensures no dust or dirt that could scratch your lenses are on your hands. It also makes sure no bacteria or viruses are on your hands that could transfer to your glasses and into your eyes.
  2. Use a lens cleaning spray – gently spritz a suitable lens cleaner onto each side of your lenses. These cleansers are formulated to cut through oils and grime and leave your glasses streak free. Don’t be tempted to huff a breath onto them, this can leave more smudges.
  3. Use a microfiber/glasses cloth – Next, gently wipe your lenses over with a lint-free glasses cloth or microfiber cloth to clean away debris, dust, and oils.
  4. Wipe the entire lens – back and forth as well as in circular motions to clean the lenses thoroughly.

Things to avoid when cleaning your glasses lenses

  1. Avoid using paper towels/dish cloths/clothing – Don’t use your t-shirt, random cloths, or paper towels as these can leave fibres behind or might cause micro scratches that are difficult to get rid of.
  2. Avoid using soaps and other ‘non-specialist’ cleaners alike – these can contain strong chemicals that will cause damage to the sensitive coating used when creating the lenses.
  3. Avoid breathing on your lenses to clean them – Although very common and almost everyone is guilty of doing so, it does more harm than good and causes smears and smudges.
  4. Ensure the water isn’t too hot as it can warp the lenses and frames and damage protective coating on your lenses.
Image featuring icons that illustrate the steps for properly cleaning eyeglasses, emphasizing effective eyewear maintenance.

How to clean your glasses frames

It’s also important to keep your glasses frames clean to remove dirt and bacteria built-up.

  1. Just like when cleaning your lenses, you will need to start with clean hands. Wash with warm water and soap before cleaning your glasses.
  2. Holding them by the sides to avoid warping, wipe the frames down with warm soapy water and a soft cloth.
  3. Alternatively, you can use a special glasses cleaner to wipe down your frames.

Things to avoid when cleaning your glasses frames

Make sure the water isn’t too hot as it can warp or misshape the frames. If you’ve already cleaned the lenses, avoid allowing the soapy water to get onto the lenses – you don’t want to start the cleaning process over again.

Image featuring icons that illustrate the steps for properly cleaning eyeglass frames.

How to clean between your glasses lens and frame

The gaps between your lenses and frames can become pretty gunked up over time so it’s worth spending time cleaning between them. The process is similar to cleaning your frames but it requires a bit more delicacy.

  1. Give your glasses a quick rinse under warm water – this is to help soften debris and dirt, making it easier to clean.
  2. Use a soft, micro-fibre cloth to clean your frames. You can use a glasses cleaning solution or a mild dish soap.
  3. Focus on the harder areas to clean like in the hinges, around the edges of the lenses, and around the nose pads where the most debris builds up.
  4. Make sure you rinse well when you’re done to remove any leftover cleaning products and to avoid smudges.
  5. If your glasses are particularly grubby, take them into your local Leightons branch for professional ultrasonic cleaning.

You don’t have to do this thorough cleaning every time you clean your glasses, only when you notice a build up.

How to properly store your glasses

Storing your glasses and sunglasses helps to keep them free of dust while also ensuring they dont get knocked and scratched while you’re not wearing them.

  • Hard cases are purpose-built to protect eyewear from external factors that could break or damage them. Glasses should be placed in the case with the lenses facing upward. Frame designers also build their cases with the frames in mind so it is recommended to store them in the case provided.
  • Soft pouches don’t serve the same purpose as hard cases but they do protect your glasses from scratches, dust and act as a shield.
  • Clean your glasses before storing them to help reduce the build up of grime, dust, and dirt overtime.
  • Store your glasses in a cool and dry place away from direct heat or sunlight such as on the dashboard of your car. Glasses can be extremely sensitive to heat and moisture, causing damage and corrosion on some frames so proper storage is essential.

Keeping your glasses clean is an important part of their upkeep, making sure your vision stays clear while you wear them and making them last as long as possible. If you’re still having issues with your glasses and the cleaning process hasn’t improved them, you might need to consider getting them repaired instead.

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How to stop glasses steaming up
A common problem for many glasses wearers is the lenses steaming up. During the summer months, fogged-up glasses are less of an issue but are much more prevalent during the cold winter months when the difference in indoor and outdoor temperatures causes condensation. Steamed-up glasses lenses can be frustrating and inconvenient, so we’ve compiled a list of our top 8 tips to help prevent them from fogging. Why do glasses fog up? Typically, glasses fog up because of the temperature change from indoors to outdoors and vice versa. You may notice some people’s glasses fog up more easily than others and that’s because it can also depend on your own body temperature. For example, after exercise or a hot shower, when the moist air from your breath and around your head hits the cold lenses, they’ll fog up. How to stop your glasses from fogging up: 8 tips While steamed-up glasses are often inevitable as we, unfortunately, can’t control the weather, there are preventative measures you can take to help keep your glasses as clear as possible. 1. Let your glasses adjust to temperature changes With the sudden temperature change from stepping into a warm room from the cold outdoors, your glasses will need some time to adjust. If possible, set them aside for a few moments to clear up. The same goes for going outside from indoors. If you can't see clearly without glasses and are unable to take them off, to prevent them from fogging up indoors, you could instead try to adjust the temperature inside, such as opening a window, so it isn't such a drastic change. 2. Ensure your glasses fit Finding the right fit for your glasses can be tricky. If they’re too big or the sides are slightly crooked, they’ll be sliding down your nose every five minutes and constantly steam up from your warm breath. 3. Opt for anti-fog lenses There are many different types of lenses to choose from, and if your glasses steaming up is a big concern, choosing anti-fog lenses will be a great option. These lenses have a unique coating that attracts and evenly distributes moisture across the lens surface, preventing water droplets from forming and obstructing vision. 4. Wear contact lenses when exercising To avoid your glasses fogging up as your temperature rises while exercising, the most effective solution is to wear contact lenses instead. When deciding between contact lenses and glasses, keep in mind that contact lenses do not fog, and they’ll be more comfortable and convenient to wear while exercising. 5. Try anti-fog products There are several anti-fog products available to try, including: Anti-fog spray: This quick and easy solution creates a very thin film on your lenses to protect them from moisture. Simply spray the lenses directly and let them dry for a while before wearing them. Once dried, you can wear them out in the cold and enjoy clear-sighted vision. Anti-fog wipes: these are perfect to use on the go. Simply use the wipe in a circular motion, let them dry and pop the glasses back on fog-free. 6. Watch out for hot drinks As comforting as hot tea, coffee, or hot chocolate is in the winter, they are notorious for fogging glasses. The warmth released from the cup as you take a sip will instantly steam up your glasses. Luckily, putting a lid on the cup will prevent fogging from happening. 7. Keep your lenses clean It’s important to keep your lenses clean as dirt, grease and dust on your glasses will allow the fog to accumulate, making the situation worse and even harder to see out of. We suggest cleaning your glasses at least once every day and then storing them properly when you’re not using them. When they do steam up, wipe them with a silky lens cleaning cloth to prevent them from becoming smeary. It’s also wise not to touch the lenses with your bare hands as this could transfer oils from your skin and any skin products you may have used, such as moisturiser or hand cream, making them cloudy. 8. Make sure your face mask is not too big If you’re wearing glasses with a face mask, make sure the mask is well-fitted and not too big to stop your breath from escaping through the top of the mask and fogging up your glasses. Try to also leave a gap between the face mask and your nose to allow the heat to escape without reaching your glasses. Avoid home remedies that can damage your lenses While information online may advise you to try home remedies, such as washing your glasses with soap or using shaving cream, as a way to create a barrier, we strongly recommend against using these methods, as you could risk damaging your lenses and needing to buy replacements. Book your eye test today Find a Leightons branch near you
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