How to Clean Glasses Properly

What You’ll Need to Clean Your Glasses

Before you start, gather a few simple supplies:

• Lukewarm water: Helps rinse away dust and loose debris before you wipe the lenses. 

• Mild, lotion-free dish soap: A small amount can help remove fingerprints, oils, and other residue without leaving behind a film. 

• A clean microfiber cloth: Use a soft cloth designed for eyeglasses to dry and polish the lenses without scratching them. 

• Eyeglass cleaning spray or lens wipes, if needed: When you’re away from a sink, products specifically made for eyeglasses can be a convenient option. 

Avoid using household glass cleaners, paper towels, tissues or clothing to clean your lenses. These materials may contain chemicals or rough fibers that can damage lens coatings or contribute to scratches.

The Best Way to Clean Glasses: Step by Step

Cleaning your glasses properly doesn't take long, but the order matters. Following these steps can help remove smudges, oils and debris while reducing the risk of scratching your lenses.

1. Wash and Dry Your Hands: Before touching your glasses, wash your hands with soap and water and dry them thoroughly. This helps prevent transferring dirt, lotion, grease, and other residue onto the lenses. 

2. Rinse Your Glasses with Lukewarm Water: Hold your glasses under a gentle stream of lukewarm water to rinse away dust and loose debris. Avoid using hot water, which may damage certain lens coatings over time. 

3. Apply a Small Amount of Mild Dish Soap: Place a small drop of mild, lotion-free dish soap on your fingertips. Avoid soaps with moisturizers, harsh chemicals, or abrasive ingredients, as they may leave residue or affect lens coatings. 

4. Gently Clean the Lenses and Frames: Using your fingertips, gently rub both sides of each lens with the soapy water. Then clean the rest of the frames, including the temples, bridge, and other areas that regularly touch your skin. There’s no need to scrub aggressively; gentle pressure is usually enough to loosen fingerprints, oils, and everyday buildup. 

5. Clean Around the Nose Pads and Hinges: Pay extra attention to the nose pads, hinges, and other small areas where oil and debris can collect. Use your fingertips to clean around these areas carefully, taking care not to bend or put unnecessary pressure on the frames. 

6. Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse the glasses again under lukewarm water until all traces of soap are gone. Any soap left behind can create streaks or a cloudy film on the lenses. 

7. Dry with a Clean Microfiber Cloth: Gently shake off excess water, then dry the lenses and frames with a clean, soft microfiber cloth designed for eyeglasses. Make sure the cloth itself is clean, as one that has collected dirt, oil, or debris can leave smudges behind or scratch the lenses. 

What NOT to Use as Eyeglass Cleaner

Even though most of these items are typically what you have on hand, they shouldn’t be used for cleaning your glasses.   

Nationwide Vision does NOT recommend using:

• Window / Glass cleaner solution 

• Bleach and household disinfectants 

• Paper towels and tissues 

• Saliva 

• Shirts, blankets, or bath towels 

• Hot water 

• Unapproved cleaning chemicals 

How Often Should You Clean Your Glasses?

How often you should clean your glasses depends on how quickly they collect fingerprints, oils, dust, and other debris. For many people, a quick cleaning once a day or whenever the lenses become noticeably smudged is enough to keep them clear. 

You may need to clean your glasses more often if they are exposed to sweat, makeup, sunscreen, dust, or other residue throughout the day. If a microfiber cloth alone is not removing the buildup, use the full soap-and-water cleaning method rather than repeatedly rubbing the lenses. 

Regular cleaning also helps prevent dirt and oils from accumulating around the frames, nose pads, and hinges. 

How to Keep Your Glasses Clean and Prevent Scratches

Proper cleaning is only part of caring for your glasses. How you handle, store, and maintain them can also help keep the lenses clear and reduce the risk of scratches and other damage. 

Store Your Glasses in a Protective Case

When you're not wearing your glasses, keep them in a protective case whenever possible. This can help shield the lenses and frames from scratches, dust, and accidental damage, especially when they're in a purse, backpack, or travel bag. If a case isn't available, place your glasses in a safe spot where they won't be knocked over, sat on, or exposed to rough surfaces. 

Never Place Your Glasses Lens-Side Down

Avoid setting your glasses down with the lenses touching a table, counter or other surface. Even small particles can scratch the lenses when they come into contact with them. Instead, fold the temples and place the glasses with the lenses facing upward. 

Keep Your Glasses Away from Excessive Heat

High temperatures can affect some lens materials and coatings. Avoid leaving your glasses in places that can become extremely hot, such as on a vehicle dashboard or inside a hot car for long periods. When rinsing or washing your glasses, use lukewarm rather than hot water. 

Keep Your Microfiber Cloth Clean

A microfiber cloth works best when it's clean and free of oils, dust, and debris. If the cloth becomes dirty, it may spread residue across your lenses instead of removing it. Wash reusable microfiber cloths regularly according to their care instructions. Avoid fabric softener or other products that may leave behind a residue that can transfer to your lenses. 

Can Scratch-Resistant Lens Coatings Help Protect Your Glasses?

Scratch-resistant lens coatings can help make eyeglass lenses more durable and less vulnerable to everyday wear. They can be especially useful if you wear your glasses frequently or tend to take them on and off throughout the day. 

However, scratch-resistant does not mean scratch-proof. Even coated lenses can be damaged by improper cleaning, abrasive materials, or being placed lens-side down on hard surfaces. Using a protective case, rinsing away debris before wiping, and cleaning your glasses with a soft microfiber cloth can all help protect the lenses over time. 

If you're choosing new glasses, ask your eye care provider about available lens coatings and which options may be appropriate for your prescription, lifestyle, and eyewear needs. 

What If Your Glasses Still Look Cloudy or Scratched After Cleaning?

If your glasses still look cloudy after a thorough cleaning, check your lenses and cleaning supplies before scrubbing them again. A dirty microfiber cloth can spread oils or residue back onto the lenses, while leftover soap may create streaks or a hazy appearance. 

Try rinsing the glasses thoroughly with lukewarm water and drying them with a freshly cleaned microfiber cloth. If the cloudiness remains, the issue may be related to the lens surface or coating rather than dirt. 

Scratches are different from smudges or residue and generally won't disappear with additional cleaning. Repeatedly rubbing a scratched area may cause further wear instead of improving it. 

If your lenses remain cloudy, scratched, or difficult to see through after cleaning, consider having your glasses inspected by an eye care professional. They can help determine whether the lenses need professional attention or whether it may be time to consider replacement lenses or new eyewear.