Key Takeaways
- Use a microfiber cloth and a bit of specialty lens spray
- Avoid paper towels, tissues, alcohol-based sprays, and household glass cleaners.
- Different lens coatings need slightly different care, so know what you’re working with.
- A weekly microfiber cloth wash keeps your cleaning routine effective.
Your glasses go everywhere you do, so they collect sunscreen, makeup, fingerprints, and the odd splash of coffee along the way. Most lenses also wear thin coatings that cut glare or resist scratches, and the wrong cleaning habits can wear those layers down.
Whether your pair came from the designer frame brands we carry or you’ve loved it for years, a little care can help it keep looking sharp. At Envy Eyewear Boutique, we want your lenses looking as good as your frames. To clean your glasses safely, spray with specialty lens spray, and gently rub each lens with a microfibre cloth.
What You Need Before You Start
You don’t need a lot of products to clean your glasses properly. Having the right few things on hand makes the whole process quicker and keeps your lenses in good shape. Here’s what to grab before you start:
- A clean microfibre cloth
- A lens spray labelled safe for anti-reflective coatings
The Right Way to Clean Your Glasses
Once it becomes a habit, the whole routine takes about a minute. Follow these steps in order:
- Wash and dry your hands so you don’t transfer fresh oil or lotion onto your lenses.
- Use a specialty spray made for your glasses that helps preserve coatings.
- Using a specialty glasses cloth or a microfibre cloth, gently rub each side of the lenses.
- Clean the nose pads, the temples, and the edges where the lenses meet the frame, since oil and grime tend to build up there.
What to Avoid
Some common household items feel like a quick fix but can strip or cloud your lens coatings over time. Keep these away from your glasses:
- Window cleaner and other household glass cleaners
- Rubbing alcohol
- Paper towels, napkins, and tissues
- The hem of your shirt or the end of your scarf
- Saliva (we’ve all tried it, and we’re kindly asking you to stop)
Habits That Cause Micro-Scratches
Harsh cleaners and high heat can both warp coatings. Paper products and clothing feel softer than they are, so they can scratch your lenses or leave lint behind.
Never leave your glasses on the dashboard on a hot day. Heat can also warp plastic frames and damage the film inside polarized sunglasses.
Special Care for Different Lens Coatings
Many lens coatings are designed to last as long as your prescription, though how you clean them can affect that. Here’s how to look after the ones you’re most likely wearing.
Anti-Reflective Lenses
Anti-reflective (AR) coating cuts down glare from screens and headlights and lets people see your eyes instead of a shiny reflection. Even small scratches tend to stand out more on AR lenses than on uncoated ones.
Always wet AR lenses before you wipe them. Stick with a spray your optician recommends.
Blue Light Lenses
Blue light filtering is one of the more popular lens add-ons, and it’s often built right into an anti-reflective coating, so clean these lenses the same way. That faint blue or green sheen you see at certain angles comes from the coating itself.
Transition Lenses
Transition lenses darken in sunlight and clear up again indoors. They also tend to get darker in cold weather and take longer to fade back, so a deeper tint on a winter walk is normal.
If your photochromic lenses have an AR layer on top, they’re more prone to heat damage. Keep them out of hot cars and away from the barbecue.
How to Keep Your Glasses Clean Between Washes
A few small habits throughout the day help your lenses stay clearer for longer. Try working these into your day:
- Store your glasses in a case whenever they’re not on your face.
- If there’s no case nearby, never set them down lenses-first on a table or counter.
- Hand-wash your microfibre cloth often with lotion-free dish soap and let it air dry.
- Avoid fabric softener and dryer sheets for any cloth that touches your lenses, since they can leave a smeary film.
- Keep a travel cleaning kit in your bag for quick, safe touch-ups on the go.
Book a Visit to Refresh Your Glasses
Clean lenses can help you see more clearly and keep your frames looking fresh. If the nose pads or frame edges stay grimy no matter what you try, or you spot cloudiness that won’t wipe away, bring your glasses in for a closer look.
The team at Envy Eyewear Boutique can check your lenses and help you choose cleaning supplies that suit your coatings. Book an appointment and bring your favourite pair along.
