I've found that using round basket type coffee filters to clean my eyeglasses leaves them sparkling, and without any of the smudge or lint residue that comes from paper towels, tissues, or napkins. They can be used repeatedly, carried easily in your purse or pocket, and you can buy a pack of 100 in the dollar store. They'll last you forever, and your lenses will be bright.
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To remove hairspray and greasy perspiration, I use rubbing alcohol. It cleans the lenses really well and it can be used on either plastic or glass lenses.
I got a refresher course at my eye doctor's office this week. I've been doing it wrong. Here's what she recommended:
I've found that paper lens wipes don't have to be used only once. So I keep a small air tight "film can" in the box with the lens wipes.
My optician in Houston suggested that I use liquid hand soap to wash my eyeglasses. When I am preparing for a shower I use Softsoap for my glasses then leave them on the sink while I am showering.
Clean Eyeglasses, Car Windshields & Wipers by using paper coffee filters. These filters cut grease & give you great results. When your wipers are not performing well try cleaning the Wipers first before replacing them. . .
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
Can I use ordinary diluted washing up liquid to clean my eye glasses? Someone said they wash their eye glasses in washing up liquid and water before they wash up the dishes, but my optician said no. Apparently you can use lotion free types which are OK, but what brands are these?
My glasses need cleaning several times a day for some reason. My last optician said probably my eye makeup is causing the problem, but why only in the last 3 years and not before? I've been wearing it for like 50 years and glasses for 27 yrs.Any mild soap can be used with a soft cloth or microfibre. Regular dish soap works, but be sure to rinse well & be sure it doesn't have lotion in it. Also at Dollar Tree you can get a pack of special lense wipes that work well & Walmart & other stores carry a spritz bottle of lense cleaner that works a lot better than dish soap & you should not have a smeary residue to contend with.
I had one set of lenses that seemed to be dirty all the time. I finally went back to glass lenses because they seemed to stay cleaner longer. I think it is something they are adding to the lenses now that cause this problem.
I always clean my glasses with dish soap or even wipes I clean the computer monitor with. I don't find that it hurts them at all. But to be on the safe side you can go to Costco and buy a giant pack of lens wipes to use on your glasses. You can even get these in any market. I'd just look at the price and select the ones that aren't too expensive to use.
I just found this site and I think it is terrific. What would be a good way to clean my new eyeglasses (high index plastic) lenses? I have heard that soap is too harsh and that tissues will scratch the lens. Does anyone have any 'thrify' alternatives?
Rubbing alcohol in spray bottle works great and is very inexpensive.Wipe with soft cloth after spraying glasses.This works as well as more expensive glasses cleaner.
I have the same type lenses as you and I always use a liquid hand soap on mine. First I put some on my hands and rub soap into a lather and then I wash the lenses and rinse under running water. I then wipe clean with a silky cloth that I purchased from an optical store.
The Doc told me to use coffee filters to dry my glasses with they are lint free and do not scratch the glass or plastic lenses.
The techs at Spare Pair told me to use mild dish soap, just make certain to completely rinse all soap off before drying. They suggested either paper towel or the new micro-fiber towels -those are washable and Costco has a dozen at $10 in the auto-accessories section.
If your glasses have an anti-reflective coating on it (like mine do), don't use soap or liquid detergent on them because those things can cause the coating to peel off. I learned this the hard way, unfortunately! So now, I purchase the commercial lens cleaner (mine was from LensCrafters). It's not cheap, but it lasts nearly forever. My 10 oz. bottle is still 3/4 full, and I've had it for 8 months already. You can purchase a small spray bottle from the drugstore, and refill it from the bigger bottle.
Also, use a 100% cotton cloth (like an old bandana or handkerchief) to wipe the lenses after spraying them with the cleaning solution. The cotton cloth won't scratch them like paper or synthetic fabrics can.
I run mine under hot water (both sides) and dry with a cotton handkerchief. Works great!!
For my husbands birthday I bought him a eyeglass cleaner from Sharper Image...its "GREAT" an it does a super job of cleaning his glasses. all you do is pop them into the machine an in just a few seconds they are cleaned just like when you buy them, they are also listed in their catalog and also on their website.
Just purchased new glasses yesterday. I was told that it is VERY important to use a cloth that was not washed with fabric softerner or dryer sheets. The optian cautioned me not to use a washing machine at all because other clothes in the wash might have residual fabric softener on them.
I purchased my glasses from LensCrafters and they have often cleaned my glasses with plain ol' rubbing alchohol. Also one of the technicians there told my that an old cloth diaper works well on glasses.
I just recently bought a pair of glasses and at $425, cleaning them can sure be an important question, so I asked and she told me that if my glasses are dirty, they have dirt particles on them. She told me to run water over them first to remove the particles before rubbing with a soft towel. Makes good sense to me! No matter what kind of fancy spray you are using, if you don't take a hands off approach and remove the particles first, you'll scratch them anyway. She also cautioned me not to use lens cleaners either because they are coming out with new plastics all the time and even they can put your lenses at risk. Mine are teflon coated of all things...seems teflon is getting into everything these days.
I own an optical store. Don't EVER use harsh home-based cleaners such as alcohol or strong soaps on your lenses, it may strip the coatings (such as the tint, anti-reflection, anti-scratch) off. And don't use paper-based wipes (unless they are actual lens cleaning cloths) such as kleenex or paper towels; the fibers can be abrasive. Stick to soft cloths. When you buy your glasses, ask for a cleaning cloth; you really should be given one anyhow, but sometimes you have to ask! And using soap on some lenses will distort the clarity, esp, with anti-reflection coatings. It also shortens the coating life, causing 'crazing', which is minute cracks on the lens coat surface, which can cause vision distortion.
I use Zeiss pre-moistened lens cloths. 50 in a box is $2.97 at Wal-Mart. Ea is individually pkg'ed so quite convenient....very nice for slipping in your purse or carry-on. Pre-moistened, non-abrasive lens cloths safely and quickly clean any lens especially those with anti-reflective multi-layer coatings. They clean effectively w/o leaving streaks or residue.
These might not be terribly thrifty or frugal but I also go for convenience and it is very much worth the price I pay for them. We are a family of 4 and 3 of us wear glasses! Often times I open one and clean both mine and my young son's. These are also sold at Sam's Club in a larger quantity for a little better deal.
Be careful with rubbing alcohol as it can ruin your frames (especially if they are plastic).
First, remove all dust/dirt from glasses by flushing with water. Shake cloth towel to free from any residue. If these steps are not taken the risk of harsh matter on the lens or towel is there and it will grind scratches on the lens. Next, I use a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water and wipe with a soft cloth towel, finding one that does not leave streaks may take some doing but you will, eventually. This process works great for me.
My optician gave me basically the same recommendation for my anti-gare coatings that Pam received: Once a wee,k rinse your glasses with mild hand soap and then wipe them with a cotton towel. Works great for me.
He also recommended being sure to rinse the nose guards throughly, because they can easily pick oil from your skin, that you can then just as easily transfer to the lens. FYI, that oil just causes blurring, not damage. (Of course, if you "keep your nose clean" you won't have that problem -- grin.)
I made the mistake of using an anti fog liquid on my new eyeglasses about 6 months ago. Ever since, they are constantly streaky and filmy. I've used almost everything to remove the film that the fog product put on the lenses but to no avail.
Does anyone have a remedy for removing this type of product from plastic lenses?Did you try vinegar??
After you remove the gunk with vinegar wash your lenses in liquid hand soap
Sorry, but your problem may be that the stuff you used is for glass lenses, not plastic lenses and you may not be able to remove the problem. Maybe you should ask your eye doctor ?
If you used it on plastic lenses, you're unfortunately out of luck, however if they're glass, rubbing alcohol should remove the film.
You can also try rubbing alcohol. Worth a shot!
I just re-read your post, your glasses should be under warrranty, as they are not a year old.
Hi, I'm an optician and I have not heard of this. I am wondering...
1. Do your lenses have an anti-reflective coating?
If so, does the non fog product specifically state that the product should not be used on AR coated lenses? If you are in the clear, you may have a viable complaint with the company who makes the anti-fog cleaner.
2. Are your lenses under warranty? This is usually a year, if so, they may be remade under warranty.
3. Are you sure the film you are refering to is actually a film and not perhaps a crazing or something inside the lens (this happens with polycarbonate lenses sometimes) another warranty issue.
4. I have had success in removing stubborn " stuff" with alcohol Try bringing them to an optician as we have stronger stuff and can determine if your problem is fixable. much luck.
A thrifty optician!
You didn't mention whether your lenses are glass or plastic. If they are glass, acetone (nail polish remover) would work well if your lenses have no special coating. Maybe the product ate the coatings you had.
I don't know if this will work but can't hurt to try. I clean my glasses with hand sanitizer. I keep a travel size bottle (1.5 ounces) by my computer. I put one drop on each lense. Use my finger to spread it around, one drop will do both sides of a lense. Dry with a cloth or soft paper towel. It may work, maybe need to use more than one drop, spread it around and let it set awhile before wiping it off.
I have found Fantastic OxyPower Multi-Purpose Cleaner cleans all of my glasses better than anything I have found so far!
Hi, thanks for all the responses! I've tried vinegar and I also have used an ultrasonic eyeglass cleaner and eyeglass cleaner and ammonia. My lenses are plastic with no coatings on them. I used a product called "Kleer Fog" which says its for glass or plastic lenses. It works keeping the fog/steam away but makes it impossible to keep them clean. EVERYTHING streaks now and they are always smeary. I don't think I can get the warranty because I used the product myself.
I'm definitely going to try rubbing alcohol- and the hand sanitizer which is also alcohol. I'll let everyone know!
I am looking for tips for cleaning eyeglasses.
I was told by my eye doctor that using a mild soap and rinsing them under the faucet is the best way to remove sand/dirt/debris from them so they don't scratch the lens. Good luck!
I clean mine with a drop of hand soap (which I smear around both sides of the lens with clean hands) and then rinse well, blotting dry with a terrycloth towel. Don't use anything that has paper fibers in it -- such as toilet paper or tissues -- because they will add fine scratches every time they are used.
The lens clenaing cloths that they sell at Target Optical work nicely. $5.00.
If your lenses are polycarbonate, soap may not rinse off completely. Try putting about 4 oz. of plain water in a container, add about 2 tbs. of white vinegar and dip your glasses in it. Then, wipe dry with a clean cloth. Microfiber is best if you have it. You can use this mixture over and over, but I replace mine weekly. Just keep it covered between uses.
Eye doctor told me to get a small spray bottle [WalMart-50¢] half fill it with water and add 3 or 4 drops of dish detergent [for washing dishes by hand]. Spritz lenses on both sides and wipe with a tissue that has no added 'lotion'. I found Viva paper towels [Big roll, Choose size] the softest and using the smallest size will clean my glasses several time a day.
I was told by my eye doctor not to use kleenex, paper towels or anything like that cause they have wood fibers in them and will scratch the lens...I just use plain water and wipe with a facecloth....my brother told me last wk that those little wet wipes (that come with fast food places) work great but haven't tried it yet. :0)
I keep a spray bottle of rubbing alcohol to spray on my lens and then wipe with an old cotton t shirt
It's amazing
I saturate a soft cloth with rubbing alcohol. clean lenses, rinse with water and dry with soft cloth or very soft paper towel.
We use plain old soap and water. Dry with a soft towell.
I used to work for Eye Care Professionals, and my boss (the Owner) would keep his glasses in a cup of water with a little dawn dish detergent over night. Dawn takes all your face oils off while you sleep.
If the lenses have a coating, then an overnight soaking might ruin them.
The nose support of my eye glasses (little rubber parts) developed some green bacteria. I used alcohol wipes to get rid of the bacteria, but they re-develop after 2 weeks or so. Can you share a tip on how to solve this for good?
By JohnC from Seattle, WA
Does anyone know of a way to clean the cigarette film and better yet keep it off eyeglass lens? Thanks in advance.
I have those alcohol prep pads, can these be used to clean glasses?
By Carol
Many eyeglasses have anti-reflective and protective coatings. When cleaning you need to make sure you use a cleaner that won't damage these coatings. This is a page about cleaning coated eyeglass lenses.
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I bought eye glasses at BJs/Sam's club. I like the glasses, but they are the most difficult to clean.
An easy way to clean your glasses lint free is to use coffee filters. An easy cleaner for your glasses is 1/2 alcohol and 1/2 water in a spray bottle.
