How to clean glasses without scratching the lenses: Safe methods

Cleaning the lenses of our glasses helps to keep them in good condition, but we should do it properly and not make mistakes, as we can scratch the lenses. 

How to clean glasses without scratching the lenses? Effective tips and techniques

• The classical, foolproof method is with soap and water. We should observe the following instructions to clean our glasses: 

1. Wash your hands to get rid of any dirt and oil. 
2. Rinse your glasses in cold or warm water, never hot.
3. Rub some neutral hand soap over the glass, including lenses, arms and nose pads. 
4. Then rinse off well under the tap to get rid of the soap, and shake off the water.
5. Dry them with a special cloth for glasses or cotton cloth, always working outwards. 

• Glasses lens cleaning spray and special microfibre cloth.

1. Spray the lenses with some of the specific lens cleaning spray. 
2. Dry with a cloth in circular movements working outwards. 

• Lens wipes, this is a quick remedy when we do not have access to soap and water. 

1. We should make sure that the cleaning wipes we use are specific for glasses lenses.
2. Clean the lenses in a circular movement, working outwards from the inside. This will remove dust, fingerprints and dirt, without leaving any residue on the surface.

Common mistakes when cleaning glasses and how to avoid them

• Using chemicals to clean lenses, such as ammonia, washing-up liquid, fat and grease remover or alcohol. These products are too aggressive to care for lenses and frames, and can damage them.
• Using fabrics other than cotton to clean is a common mistake, because they can scratch the lenses.
• We should never use paper napkins or toilet paper to dry the lenses. They can stain, scratch or leave remains behind in the grooves between the lens and frame.
• We should not use our breath to steam up our lenses either. Our breath does not work the same as water. It is not hygienic either, in fact there are over 700 species of microbes in our breath that go directly onto the lenses causing wear and tear.