How to clean your glasses the right way

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If you wear glasses, you know just how annoying smudges can be. In fact, it can be nearly impossible to focus on whatever you’re looking at. But wearing dirty glasses can be more than just annoying. “First off, dirty lenses can cause eye strain and headaches — not fun,” says Dr. Janice Fan, an optometrist at 414 Eyes in Milwaukee. “Plus, bacteria love to hang out on grimy glasses. Yuck, right? You’re basically inviting germs to party on your face.”

The good news: Keeping your glasses clean is a relatively easy chore. With a little care to not scratch your lenses and the right cleaning tools, you can keep the lenses on your glasses clear and dirt-free. To help you do just that, we asked experts for their top tips on how to clean your glasses. 

SKIP AHEAD How to tell if your glasses need cleaning | How to clean your glasses | What to use to clean your glasses | Highly rated glasses cleaners

Not sure when to clean your glasses? This will sound obvious, but clean them when they’re dirty, says Susan Johnson, an optician who owns Lost & Found Vision in Hampshire, Illinois. Glasses can take on varying degrees of dirtiness. Overall, if you notice any smudge or haziness on any part of your lenses, they need a good wipe down. Another tactic: Clean your glasses preventatively. “I recommend giving your glasses a good clean every morning,” says Fan. “It’s a great habit to get into. Then, if they get smudged during the day, a quick clean works wonders.”

Most glasses cases come with a small microfiber cloth. This is a good place to start when wiping down your lenses. Use that cloth to try to gently buff out any smudges. However, more stubborn streaks and dirt may require a more in-depth cleaning. If you find yourself in that situation, Fan suggests following this method: 

• Step 1: Rinse your glasses with lukewarm water to help remove any gritty particles that could scratch your lenses. 
• Step 2: Put a tiny drop of dish soap on your fingertips and gently rub it over the lenses and frame. 
• Step 3: Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
• Step 4: Dry them off with a clean microfiber cloth. This is key — no paper towels or your shirt, both of which could have a rough texture or dirt particles that will scratch your lenses. 

As mentioned above, soap and water tend to be the best thing you can use to clean your glasses. “Everyone typically has soap and water in their house, making this an easy and affordable way to keep your glasses clean,” says Johnson. 

Along with soap and water, several other products are specifically made to clean your lenses. “Personally, I’m a fan of pre-moistened lens wipes for on-the-go cleaning. They’re convenient and safe for most lenses,” says Fan. “Some lens manufacturers — like ZEISS — make their cleaning solutions, which are great too.” Below we’ve listed several highly rated lens cleaners for you to consider.

Other than dish soap and cleansers made specifically for lenses, you should not use other household cleaning products on your lenses — specifically glass cleaner, ammonia, or any non-soft material — which can all damage or scratch the surface of your lenses, says Johnson. 

At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

• Dr. Janice Fan is an optometrist at 414 Eyes in Milwaukee.
• Susan Johnson is an optician who owns Lost & Found Vision in Hampshire, Illinois. 

Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers beauty, home and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed experts on how to clean your glasses.