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This article was co-authored by David Felsted, DO. Dr. David Felsted is a Comprehensive Ophthalmologist based in Flagstaff, Arizona. He specializes in cataract and refractive surgery, micro-invasive glaucoma surgery, ophthalmic lasers, dry eye disease, diabetic retinopathy, and ocular trauma. Dr. Felsted holds a BS in Accounting from Brigham Young University and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Midwestern University. He completed his Ophthalmic residency at The Medical College of Georgia.
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Getting stains off your eyeglasses can be difficult, especially if you are worried about damaging your spectacles. You may try to spit on them or use your shirt to clean them, but this is not recommended as it often does not work and may end up damaging your glasses permanently. Common issues like water stains or other liquid stains can often be removed by applying dish soap, although this can be abrasive, or a cleaning solution made specifically for your eyeglasses. You should also learn how to avoid getting stains on your glasses so they stay clean.
Steps
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![Step 1 Gather your supplies.]()
Gather your supplies. For this method, you will need access to a handful of household supplies, including dish washing liquid or dish soap, running water, and a clean, dry, lint-free cloth. Avoid dish washing liquid that contains lotion, as this can cause streaks or stains on your glasses. Remember some dish washing liquids are abrasive and can damage coatings on the lenses of your glasses, such as anti-reflective coating. [1] -
Rinse your glasses under warm water. Wash your hands well with water and soap so your hands are free of any dirt or debris that could get on your glasses. Then, take your glasses and hold them under warm running water. This will help to remove dust and debris on the lenses. This way, you are not at risk of seriously scratching your lenses when you clean them with the dish soap.[2]- Make sure you use warm or lukewarm tap water. Hot water can damage the coating on some lenses.[3]
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Apply a drop of dish soap to the lenses. You may apply one to two drops of the dish soap to your fingertip and then gently place it on each lens. Try to only use a small amount, as dish soap is very concentrated and a little will go a long way.[4]
- Once the dish soap is on the lens, use your fingers to gently rub both sides of the lens. Do this for a few seconds. Try to rub away any stains on the lens using the soap and the water.
- You may also wash the nose pads, the temples, and arms of the glasses. These areas can accumulate dirt and debris so it may be a good idea to clean them.
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![Step 4 Wash off the dish soap.]()
Wash off the dish soap. Once you have cleaned the glasses thoroughly and removed the stains, wash the soap off well. Use warm running water to do this. Try to get all of the soap off as any leftover soap may smear when you try to dry the lenses.[5] -
Dry the glasses with a clean, dry, non-abrasive microfiber cloth.[6] Always dry the glasses well after you clean them. Use a clean, dry, lint-free cloth to wipe them off. Dry the lenses in a circular motion, making sure you remove all the water on the lenses as you do not want the water to dry and cause further water stains.[7]
- You may try using a microfiber cloth to dry off the lenses. No matter what type of cloth you use, make sure it is soft as you do not want to scratch the lenses when you dry them off.[8]
- If you launder the cloth, do not use fabric softener or dryer sheets when drying, as this can cause streaking on the lenses.
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![Step 1 Buy an eyeglass cleaning solution.]()
Buy an eyeglass cleaning solution. You can try removing stains on your eyeglasses by getting a cleaning solution made for eyeglasses. Look for cleaning solution for eyeglasses at your local drugstore or online. Your optometrist may also be able to recommend a good eyeglass cleaning solution you can try to remove the stains.[9]- Read the label of the cleaning solution to make sure it does not contain bleach, ammonia, vinegar, or any other harsh cleaners. These products can all damage the protective coating on the lenses.
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Apply a small amount of the solution to the glasses. Once you have purchased cleaning solution, follow the instructions on the package. Rinsing the lenses with water before applying the cleaning solution is a good idea to remove off abrasive dust and debris first, even if the cleaning solution is fine to apply directly on the lenses without water.
- Rub the cleaning solution into the lenses gently using small circular motions with your fingers. Try to get rid of any stains using the cleaning solution.
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Rinse and dry off the glasses. After a few seconds of cleaning, rinse the glasses off in warm running water. Make sure you remove as much of the cleaning solution as you can as any remaining solution can cause streaks and stains.
- Dry the glasses off with a clean, dry cloth. Be careful not to rub the lenses too hard as you do not want to risk scratching them.
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![Step 1 Put your glasses in a protective case.]()
Put your glasses in a protective case. You can prevent your glasses from getting stained or damaged by keeping them in an eyeglasses case. Get a protective case from your optometrist or look for one at your local eyeglass store. Try to get in the habit of keeping your glasses in the case when you not wearing them.- Make sure the case is padded inside and has a solid clasp or closure so your glasses do not slip out.
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![Step 2 Keep your glasses away from high traffic areas.]()
Keep your glasses away from high traffic areas. You should also keep your glasses away from areas with high traffic, such as the kitchen or the bathroom. Keeping your glasses by the sink in the bathroom or the kitchen can expose the lenses to water and other liquids that can stain them.- You should also keep your glasses away from others, such as children or pets. Your glasses can get damaged if they are played with or tossed around.
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![Step 3 Clean your glasses on a regular basis.]()
Clean your glasses on a regular basis. Get into the habit of cleaning your glasses using commercially-made or homemade eyeglass cleaner in the morning before you start the day or at night before you go to bed. Doing regular cleanings of your glasses will ensure they are clean and free of debris or dust that could damage the lenses.- Use soap and water to clean your glasses or a cleaning solution. Do not spit on your glasses to clean them as spit is not an effective cleaner.
- You should also avoid using your your clothing to wipe off dirt on your glasses. There is dust on your clothing that can scratch the lenses.
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
Many anti-glare coatings also have properties that resist water, oil and dust, helping keep the glasses clean.
References
- ↑ http://www.allaboutvision.com/eyeglasses/how-to-clean-glasses.htm
- ↑ http://www.allaboutvision.com/eyeglasses/how-to-clean-glasses.htm
- ↑ https://www.allaboutvision.com/eyeglasses/how-to-clean-glasses.htm
- ↑ http://www.allaboutvision.com/eyeglasses/how-to-clean-glasses.htm
- ↑ http://www.allaboutvision.com/eyeglasses/how-to-clean-glasses.htm
- ↑ https://www.allaboutvision.com/eyeglasses/how-to-clean-glasses.htm
- ↑ http://www.allaboutvision.com/eyeglasses/how-to-clean-glasses.htm
- ↑ http://cleanmyspace.com/caring-for-your-microfiber-cloths/
- ↑ http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323375204578269942300847314
About This Article
Getting stains off your eyeglasses may seem difficult, especially if you’re worried about damaging your lenses, but a little dish soap can help with most issues. Rinse your glasses under warm water to remove any dust or debris on the lenses. Put a drop or 2 of dish soap on your fingertips, then gently rub it into both sides of your lenses. You can also wash the nose pads, temples, and arms of the glasses this way. Once you’ve cleaned your glasses thoroughly, wash the soap off with warm running water. Dry your glasses with a clean, lint-free cloth or a microfiber cloth. Another way to clean your glasses is to spray a small amount of eyeglass cleaning solution onto your lenses. Rub the solution in with your fingertips before rinsing your glasses off under warm running water and thoroughly drying them. To learn how to prevent stains on your glasses, keep reading!
