It doesn’t matter if you have the most up-to-date prescription in your glasses — if the lenses aren’t clean, the world will appear smudgy and unclear.
Have you ever used your sleeves, tissue, hanky or the nearest napkin or paper towel as lens cleaners for your glasses? The problem is that rubbing a dusty or dirty lens can move the dust particles over the lens surface causing tiny scratches to develop over time. Paper towel and tissues can carry wood fibres and dust that scratch the lens as you wipe.
So, what’s the best way to clean glasses? It’s easy, simply wash them the same way you would your dishes: with dishwashing soap and warm water. Once they are clean, dry them with a clean lens cloth.
In summary, follow these easy steps:
- Run glasses under warm water (not hot)*
- Put a drop of dishwashing liquid between your fingers and use them to clean all parts of the frame and lenses
- Rinse glasses with warm water
- Dry with a clean lint-free cloth — a microfibre cloth from your optometrist or camera shop is perfect. When the cloth looks a bit dirty simply throw it in the washing machine. You can reuse it again and again.
The side benefit of cleaning your lenses using this method is that the frame also comes out looking sparkling clean!
There is another solution, however, to help keep lenses in their cleanest, best shape. Talk to your optometrist about an anti-reflective coating on your lenses, which will prevent dust, scratches and smudges from showing up on your glasses. They have a dust-repellent surface to keep your lenses cleaner for longer.
Enjoy looking through your clean and clear glasses!
*Never use hot water on your glasses as it can damage some lens coatings and frame materials.
