ARTICLE
Cleaning Guide: How To Clean Your Eyewear
Cleaning glasses properly protects lenses, coatings, and frames. Learn how to clean eyewear safely and avoid scratches over time.
Cleaning eyewear is often treated as a quick, harmless routine. In reality, it is one of the most common ways glasses get damaged. Scratches, worn coatings, and reduced visual clarity rarely come from accidents. They are usually the result of repeated, well-intentioned cleaning done the wrong way.
This guide explains how to clean eyewear properly, what risks to be aware of, and how to reduce the need for frequent cleaning altogether. The principles apply whether you wear glasses/eyeglasses every day or switch between optical frames and sunglasses.
Why Cleaning Glasses Comes With Risks
Lenses collect more than fingerprints. Dust, skin oils, makeup residue, and airborne particles all settle on the surface throughout the day. Many of these particles are harder than lens coatings.
When a lens is wiped dry, these particles are dragged across the surface. Over time, this creates fine scratches that may not be visible at first but gradually affect clarity, contrast, and glare.
Another risk is gradual coating degradation. Modern lenses rely on thin surface treatments for anti-reflection, scratch resistance, and UV protection. Incorrect cleaning methods can slowly break these layers down. While cleaning does not remove prescription strength itself, damaged coatings can make vision feel less sharp and more fatiguing.
Clear Lenses and Sunglasses Age Differently
Scratches do not appear the same on all lenses.
Clear lenses tend to reveal wear earlier, especially when working with screens or under artificial lighting. Even micro-scratches can catch reflections and feel visually distracting.
Tinted lenses may hide damage longer, but scratches on darker lenses often become more noticeable in strong sunlight. They can reduce contrast and visual comfort, particularly on gradient or darker tints.
Because of this, proper cleaning matters just as much for sunglasses as it does for clear lenses.
Most damage to glasses happens during cleaning, not from daily wear.
The Best Way to Clean Glasses Safely
Start With Water, Not a Cloth
Before touching the lenses, rinse them under lukewarm water. This removes dust and particles that would otherwise be rubbed into the surface.
Avoid hot water, which can weaken lens coatings over time.
Use a Clean Microfiber Cloth
A microfiber cloth is designed to lift oils without scratching, but only if it is clean. A cloth that has been carried in a pocket or bag often contains dust or grit.
Use light pressure and slow movements. Let the cloth absorb oils rather than pushing them around.
If a cloth leaves smears, it usually means it is saturated with oil and needs washing.
Washing Glasses When Needed
For a deeper clean, washing glasses is often safer than repeated dry wiping.
Use lukewarm water and a small amount of mild, lotion-free dish soap. Clean the lenses and frame gently with your fingertips, rinse thoroughly, and dry using a freshly cleaned microfiber cloth.
This method is effective for removing buildup without stressing coatings.
Cleaning the Frame and Temples
Lenses are only part of the equation. Over time, skin oils accumulate on the frame, especially on the temples and nose area.
This is particularly noticeable on acetate glasses, where oil buildup can make frames feel slippery and cause them to slide down the nose or shift behind the ears. Regular cleaning helps restore grip and comfort.
When washing glasses, gently clean the entire frame, including the inside of the temples, the nose area, and the hinge zone.
With metal glasses, extra care should be taken to dry thoroughly around screws and joints to prevent residue buildup.
For a deeper understanding of how acetate behaves over time and how to care for it properly, many readers explore our Acetate Guide.
Scratches don’t appear the same on every lens, but they affect vision all the same.
Cleaning Products and DIY Solutions
Cleaning sprays can be convenient, but not all formulas are suitable for all lenses. Some contain alcohol or chemicals that may gradually damage coatings.
DIY cleaning solutions vary widely in safety and consistency. When in doubt, water and mild soap remain the most reliable option.
In most cases, careful technique matters far more than which product you use.
Can Scratches Be Removed From Glasses?
Despite many claims online, scratches cannot be safely removed from glasses or sunglasses. Methods that promise scratch removal usually work by polishing the lens surface, which removes protective coatings and permanently alters optical quality.
Once a lens is scratched, replacement is the only reliable solution.
Good cleaning habits protect lenses longer than any product ever could.
Clean Glasses Less Often
The most effective way to protect eyewear is to reduce unnecessary cleaning altogether.
Always store glasses in a protective case when not worn. Never place them loose in a pocket or bag, especially together with keys or other hard objects. Even short contact like this often results in permanent scratches.
If frames begin to feel loose or start sliding due to normal wear, simple adjustments can restore comfort and stability without stressing the frame, as explained in How to adjust your glasses at home.
Experience and Insights From Vasuma
At Vasuma, eyewear handling is part of everyday work. For over 20 years, we have produced and shipped glasses to retailers, agents, and distributors worldwide. This means thousands of frames are handled, cleaned, adjusted, packed, and inspected on a daily basis.
One of the clearest patterns we see is that damage rarely comes from a single mistake. It builds up over time. The most important habit is regular, light cleaning throughout the day. Allowing oils, sweat, and residue to build up over many hours makes cleaning more aggressive later, which increases the risk of scratches on both lenses and frames.
Through internal testing and long-term feedback from customers and retailers, we have also learned that the type of cloth matters less than its condition. A relatively clean cloth performs better than an expensive one that has absorbed oils and debris. Dirty cloths often make lenses dirtier rather than cleaner.
We have also seen cases where coarse microfiber cloths cause extremely fine scratches that are difficult to detect at first but become visible over time. When microfiber is used, it should be very fine and well maintained. Just like clothing, cleaning cloths need regular washing to remain effective.
Wearing glasses all day naturally traps sweat and skin residue against both the frame and the skin. When this buildup is not removed, it can affect comfort, grip, and even skin health. Trying to clean glasses with a dirty cloth only amplifies the problem.
Finally, storage habits play a critical role. The most common reason glasses arrive scratched or heavily soiled is not poor materials or design, but lack of protection. Glasses placed directly in pockets or bags quickly collect grease and come into contact with hard objects. Using a protective case consistently remains the simplest and most effective way to preserve eyewear over time.
5 Easy Tips for Cleaning Your Eyewear
- Rinse before you wipe Always remove dust and particles with lukewarm water before using a cloth. Dry wiping is one of the fastest ways to create fine scratches.
- Clean little and often Light, frequent cleaning during the day prevents oil and residue from building up and reduces the need for aggressive wiping later.
- Keep your cloth clean A dirty cloth cleans nothing. Wash your cleaning cloth regularly and avoid carrying it loose in pockets or bags.
- Clean the frame, not just the lenses Oil buildup on temples and nose areas affects comfort and grip. Regular frame cleaning helps glasses stay in place throughout the day.
- Use a case whenever you’re not wearing them Most scratches and heavy smudging happen when glasses are left unprotected. A case remains the simplest form of eyewear care.