Step 1: Rinse under lukewarm water
Flush away dust, pollen, and grit before touching the lens. This is the highest-impact scratch-prevention step and takes only a few seconds.
how to clean glasses
How To Clean Glasses Properly (Without Scratching Them)
Most lens damage happens through daily friction, not one dramatic mistake. Quick shirt wipes, reused cloths, and skipped rinses slowly create haze and micro-scratches. This guide gives you a repeatable method that protects coatings and still fits real life.
Last updated: 14 February 2026
Quick answer
Quick answer: rinse under lukewarm water, apply a lens-safe cleaner, clean lenses plus nose pads/edges, then rinse and dry with a clean microfiber cloth. Dry wiping dusty lenses is still the most common avoidable scratch cause.
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Key takeaways
- Rinse first every time to remove grit before contact.
- Use lens-safe cleaner, not window spray, tissues, or shirt fabric.
- Include pads, bridge, and lens edges or smudges return quickly.
- Keep 2-3 microfiber cloths in rotation and wash weekly.
If you only do 3 things
- Rinse first every time to remove grit before contact.
- Use lens-safe cleaner, not window spray, tissues, or shirt fabric.
- Include pads, bridge, and lens edges or smudges return quickly.
Step-by-step method
Step 2: Apply lens-safe cleaner
Use a small amount of cleaner across both sides. Keep the surface wet so you are lifting oils instead of dragging particles.
Step 3: Clean lenses plus frame contact zones
Work around nose pads, bridge, hinges, and lens edges where oils collect first and transfer back to lens centers.
Step 4: Rinse and dry with fresh microfiber
Rinse residue fully, then dry with a clean microfiber reserved for glasses only. Replace cloths when they feel slick or leave streaks.
Deep guide
The best method is simple, repeatable, and fast
People often hunt for a miracle product, but process beats product every time. A safe routine removes grit first, dissolves oils second, and dries cleanly last.
If the routine takes less than a minute, you will actually do it. Consistency, not occasional deep cleaning, is what protects coatings long term.
- Bad outcome pattern: dry wipe -> streak -> harder wipe -> micro-scratches.
- Better outcome pattern: rinse -> wet clean -> light dry -> clear vision.
How to clean different glasses types with one method
Prescription glasses, reading glasses, and sunglasses all benefit from the same friction-aware routine. Materials differ, but dry-wipe risk is universal.
Only frequency changes by use case. Sunglasses collect sunscreen and sweat, while reading glasses pick up fingerprints from constant handling.
- Desk worker example: one full morning clean plus one mid-day touch-up.
- Commuter example: quick rinse after transit dust, full evening clean.
- Outdoor example: rinse immediately after sunscreen contact.
Nose pads and edges are why glasses get dirty again quickly
Many guides ignore frame contact zones. That creates the "clean for five minutes" cycle: oils remain on pads and channels, then move back to the lens.
Include these zones on every full clean and your reclean frequency usually drops within a few days.
- Spend 10 extra seconds on pads and inner rim channels.
- Hold the frame by temples to avoid re-fingerprinting clean lenses.
What not to use on your lenses
Avoid paper towels, napkins, shirt fabric, and household glass cleaner. These are common causes of coating wear, haze, and swirl marks.
Aggressive chemistry and rough fibers may not ruin lenses instantly, but repeated use compounds damage over months.
- Do not dry wipe dusty lenses, even for quick touch-ups.
- Do not use tissue, paper towel, or hoodie fabric.
- Do not use random household sprays on AR coatings.
- Do not keep one microfiber forever without washing it.
A practical daily routine you can stick with
Morning: do one full clean before leaving home. Midday: do light touch-up only if needed. Evening: rinse away day residue before storage.
This approach keeps clarity stable while minimizing unnecessary rubbing. It also makes streaks easier to troubleshoot because your baseline method is consistent.
Troubleshooting
Lenses still look hazy after cleaning
Likely cause: Oil film is being spread, not removed
Fix: Increase rinse time and cleaner coverage, then do a full rinse before drying
Smudges come back quickly
Likely cause: Nose pads and frame edges were skipped
Fix: Include pads and edge channels in every full clean cycle
Streaks only visible in sunlight
Likely cause: Residue left before drying or dirty cloth
Fix: Do a longer final rinse and switch to a freshly washed microfiber cloth
Maintenance checklist
- Wash microfiber cloths weekly without fabric softener or dryer sheets.
- Keep at least one backup cloth so you never need shirt wiping.
- Store glasses in a hard case and cloth in a clean pouch.
- Do one full clean daily and short touch-ups only when needed.
FAQs
Can I clean glasses with washing up liquid?
A drop of mild, lotion-free dish soap can work occasionally, but dedicated lens cleaners are usually more predictable for coated lenses.
Can I use alcohol to clean glasses?
Occasional use may be fine for some lenses, but frequent alcohol-heavy cleaning is not ideal for AR coatings. Use lens-safe formulas for daily care.
How often should I wash my microfiber cloth?
At least once per week, and sooner if it feels oily or starts leaving streaks. Heavy outdoor use often needs 2 washes per week.
Turn this into a 60-second habit
If you want fewer streaks and less lens wear, use a routine-friendly tool that keeps wet cleaning easy anywhere.
Want a practical setup? See the GLASSY tool (£29.99).