It is inevitable for eyeglasses to get cloudy and smudged at some point. This can be caused by a whole load of factors, including skin oils, pollution, dry skin, flakes, moisturizers, makeup, dirt, dust, and everyday use. However, the problem with smudged glasses is much more serious, as they can cause eye strain and make you squint through dirty lenses, which really counteracts the whole concept of wearing glasses in the first place.
So, when cleaning your glasses, it is important to clean them properly without scratching the lenses and to protect them from permanent damage that can be caused by reckless cleaning and handling. With this in mind, we have prepared a helpful guide to maintaining your glasses.
Get Replacement Lenses
The most important part of your glasses is inevitably the lenses. They are the reason why you can see properly and undoubtedly need to be of the best quality. The lens market is quite big and innovative; however, none of them are completely resistant to scratches that can ruin them. You can buy lenses for all styles of glasses that will perfectly fit into your frame in case you damage them. Instead of buying new glasses, you can easily replace damaged lenses and give your eyewear new life.
First Things First, Wash Your Hands
You cannot clean your glasses if your hands are dirty. Not only will you transfer dirt and oils to the lens, but the cloth you are using for cleaning will also get dirty, which will only worsen the smudges on the lenses. Washing your hands before cleaning glasses can be helpful with the prevention of any further smudging or transferring dirt to the lenses and other parts of the glasses.
Warm Water Can Help You
Be careful; it is warm water, not hot water. You should run your glasses under warm water and let them soak for a couple of seconds. Using warm water is the most effective way, as hot water can seriously damage your lenses and terminally destroy any kind of lens coating, such as Anti-Reflective coating.
Use the Tiniest Bit of the Dish Soap
You can try adding 1 or 2 drops of hand or dish soap to your fingertips. Lotion-free and grease-cutting dishwashers are the most ideal solution for keeping your glasses clean. In case you do not have lotion-free dish soap, hand soap can also be an effective solution for cleaning your glasses in an instant.
Use a Soft Toothbrush for Deep Cleaning
You can gently rub the soap into your glasses by using a soft cloth, including lenses, nose pads, temples, and a bridge, for a couple of seconds. If you did not clean your glasses for a longer period of time and they are especially dirty, then you can also use a soft toothbrush to scrub dirt and remove any stuck dust. You should pay attention to every nook and cranny and slowly work the soap into tiny crevices and bends.
Dry Your Glasses and Lenses With Clean Microfiber Cloths
Not only can you use microfiber cloths for gently rubbing the lenses and other parts of your glasses, but you can also use them for drying them after deep cleaning. Remember that microfiber cloth is the best fabric for delicate surfaces such as your eyeglasses since these cloths are tightly woven. This means that this cloth is soft, can absorb dust and lint, is absorbent, and can trap both liquids and oils instantly.
Change Your Microfiber Cloth Frequently
One of the most common mistakes when maintaining your glasses is using the same cleaning cloth for a long period of time, which can not only make them smudged but also scratch the lenses and severely damage them. So, replacing your microfiber cleaning cloth once in a while is a must. Besides, this cloth can get dirty as it soaks the dirt in and easily transfers it onto the lenses. You need to wash these frequently. It is best for you to use mild soap or soap that does not contain any bleach. After that, you should let your clothes air dry.
Maintaining glasses is an important part of owning them in the first place. Usually, reckless treatment of the lenses, cleaning them with improper materials, and using low-quality cleaning products can severely damage them. Improper use of cleaning products can not only strip the protective coatings but can also cause tiny scratches all over them, which can pose serious problems while looking through them long-term and eventually lead to some complicated eye conditions.