The Best and Worst Ways to Clean Your Eyeglasses, According to Experts

A fingerprint on your glasses can be annoying. But a scratch or permanent haze in the lens coating is a much bigger (and costly!) problem.

Fortunately, keeping glasses clean doesn’t require anything fancy. The safest methods rely on water, a gentle cleanser, and a clean microfiber cloth — and maybe a little restraint when you’re tempted to reach for whatever’s nearby or test out the latest social media advice.

Although cleaning sunglasses and eyeglasses is relatively simple, it does merit some forethought, says Annette Bade, OD, associate dean of clinics and professor of optometry at High Point University in North Carolina.

This is partly because many eyeglass lenses have coatings designed to reduce glare, resist scratches, filter UV light, and otherwise improve comfort and vision.

These coatings are delicate, she says. The wrong cleaner, too much heat, or abrasive materials can damage them. “Cleaning lenses properly helps protect these coatings, preserves the clarity of the lenses, and extends the life of the glasses,” she says.

Once a Week: Dish Soap and Lukewarm Water

For a thorough cleaning at home, Dr. Bade recommends a trip to the kitchen sink. Here’s what to do there:

1. Wash your hands first. Clean hands help keep oils, lotions, and dirt from going right back onto your lenses.
2. Give the glasses a lukewarm rinse. Water helps carry away loose dust and debris before you touch the lens surface, reducing the chance that you’ll rub those particles across the coating.

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3. Add a small drop of dish soap. Use your fingers to gently clean both sides of the lenses. You may also want to clean areas where skin oils and makeup tend to collect, such as the nose pads and frames
4. Rinse thoroughly and dry gently. Rinse off all the soap, gently shake off excess water, and use a clean microfiber cloth to dry and polish the lenses.

Bade recommends giving glasses this more thorough cleaning about once a week. In between, you can clean smudges as needed.

On the Go: Lens Spray and a Microfiber Cloth

Bade recommends lens spray to help remove mild smudges. Pairing lens spray with a microfiber works well because this material is soft and designed to pick up smudges without scratching your lenses, she says.

A microfiber cloth by itself can work for everyday cleaning when you don’t have lens cleaner available, Bade says — but only if your lenses are free from visible dust or debris that could be rubbed across the lens.

If lenses are dusty or gritty, rubbing that debris across the surface can cause scratches. In such cases, rinse the glasses first.

Your microfiber cloth will benefit from occasional cleaning, too. “They can be washed in the washing machine or hand-washed. Just don’t use fabric softeners,” says Kathy Diz, an optician in High Point, North Carolina. She suggests washing microfiber cloths about once a month and replacing them if they start looking worn.

Many common cleaning shortcuts seem harmless because they work in the moment. The problem is that some can gradually scratch lenses or break down lens coatings.

Saliva, Household Cleaners, Vinegar, Hot Water

Common Household Cleaners Solutions that leave your windows sparkling may be much too harsh for eyeglasses, Bade says: “Windex and other kitchen cleaners have harsher chemicals that can remove the anti-reflective coatings.” The same goes for bleach and ammonia.

Vinegar While vinegar may have a reputation as an all-purpose household cleaner, your glasses aren’t the place to use it, says Diz, despite social media users urging the practice.

Hot Water Keep the water temperature moderate when cleaning glasses at the sink. Excessive heat can damage lens coatings, so stick with warm or lukewarm water, says Bade.

Shirts and Tissues

Your shirt may seem like the most convenient lens cloth, but it isn’t necessarily clean, let alone soft enough for your lenses.

“Different clothing fibers can leave scratches, and if there are lint or dirt particles on your clothing, it can cause scratches,” Bade says.

Other Abrasive Materials

Other materials to skip include:

• Tissues, Paper Towels, and Napkins “These products may feel soft against your skin, but their fibers can scratch coated lenses and leave lint behind,” says Bade.
• Rough or Soiled Fabrics Any trapped grit can be dragged across the lens as you wipe it, potentially leaving scratches.