Your glasses are probably the hardest-working thing you own. They are on your face from the first coffee of the morning to the last screen of the night, and they quietly collect everything along the way. Fingerprints, dust, hand cream, sun cream and the odd splash of breakfast.

Most of us deal with it the same way. A quick wipe on a shirt or jumper, a breath of air on the lens, and back on they go. It feels harmless enough. The trouble is that this is one of the fastest ways to scratch a lens and wear down the very coatings you paid good money for.

Cleaning your glasses properly takes less than a minute and costs almost nothing. Done well, it keeps your vision sharp, your lenses clear, and your frames lasting far longer. Here is how to do it without causing any damage.

Not sure what coatings your lenses have, or whether they need special care? Pop into the practice in Belsize Park or book an appointment, and we will happily talk you through it.

The quick version

If you only remember one thing, remember this. The table below sums up the right way to clean your glasses and the habits worth dropping.

Do this	Avoid this
Rinse under lukewarm water before you wipe	Hot water, which can damage lens coatings
Use a small drop of lotion-free washing-up liquid	Household sprays, glass cleaners, alcohol or vinegar
Dry with a clean microfibre cloth	Paper towels, tissues, napkins, your shirt or jumper
Clean the lenses while they are still wet	Wiping dry lenses, which drags grit across the surface
Store them in a hard case, lenses facing up	Leaving them face down or on a warm dashboard

How to clean your glasses, step by step

The method that does the job without risking a scratch is reassuringly simple. You only need warm water, a drop of washing-up liquid and a clean microfibre cloth.

Wash and dry your hands first. Use a lotion-free soap, as hand creams and moisturisers can transfer straight onto the lenses and leave a smear.
Rinse your glasses under lukewarm running water. This washes away dust and grit before you touch the lenses, and it is the step most people skip. Keep the water lukewarm, never hot, as heat can lift or craze the coatings.
Add a tiny drop of lotion-free washing-up liquid. A little goes a long way, and plain, additive-free liquid is both gentle and effective.
Gently rub both sides of each lens with your fingertips, then work around the whole frame. Pay attention to the nose pads, the hinges and the tips that sit behind your ears, as this is where oil and make-up tend to build up.
Rinse thoroughly under lukewarm water until all the suds are gone.
Shake off the excess water and dry gently with a clean microfibre cloth. There is no need to scrub. Let the cloth lift the remaining droplets away.

Tip: If you have hard water at home and notice cloudy marks after drying, a final rinse with distilled water can help.

Why clean glasses are worth the effort

Smudged lenses are not just annoying. They make your eyes work harder than they need to.

When you are forever looking through a film of grease and dust, you squint and strain to compensate, which can leave you tired and headachy by the end of the day.
Clean lenses give you the sharp, comfortable vision your prescription is actually meant to deliver.
There is a hygiene side too. Your glasses touch your face, your hands and just about every surface you lean over, so they pick up plenty of bacteria along the way.
And there is the simple matter of looking after your investment. A good pair of glasses is worth caring for, and gentle cleaning protects the lenses and coatings so they keep performing for years rather than months.

The cleaning habits worth breaking

Some of the most common cleaning shortcuts are exactly the ones that wear glasses out. If any of these sound familiar, they are worth leaving behind.

Your shirt, jumper or tea towel. Fabric traps tiny particles of dust that act like sandpaper on a dry lens. This is the single most common cause of fine scratches.
Paper towels, tissues and napkins. They feel soft, but they are made of wood fibre, so they scratch lenses and leave little bits behind.
Breathing on the lenses and wiping. Your breath and saliva add moisture, but also grease and bacteria, so you end up smearing rather than cleaning.
Hot water. It can damage or warp lens coatings, so always keep it lukewarm.
Household cleaners, glass sprays, alcohol, acetone and vinegar. These are too harsh for optical coatings and can strip them away. Stick to washing-up liquid or a cleaner made for lenses.
Trying to buff out a scratch. Once a lens is scratched, it cannot be polished out at home, and rubbing harder usually makes it worse. Bring it in to us instead and we will take a look.

Cleaning your glasses when you are out and about

You will not always be near a sink, and that is fine.

Lens-safe, pre-moistened wipes are the best thing to keep in your bag or desk drawer. Choose ones labelled safe for coated lenses, and they will lift a smudge without dragging grit across a dry lens.
Keep a clean microfibre cloth on you too, but save it for light smudges rather than dusty or gritty lenses. If a lens has visible grit on it, wait until you can rinse it properly.
Resist the urge to dry-wipe a dusty lens on your sleeve. It is better to wait for a sink than to grind grit across the surface.

Coated and specialist lenses need a gentler touch

Modern lenses often carry coatings that do wonderful things, and they reward a careful approach.

Anti-reflective coatings cut glare and reflections, which is a real help with screens and night driving. Clean them gently with water, a lens-safe cleaner and a microfibre cloth, and keep harsh chemicals well away.
Blue light filtering lenses clean just like ordinary glasses, as long as your cleaner is safe for coatings.
Photochromic lenses, which darken in sunlight, and prescription sunglasses are cleaned the same way as clear lenses. Just be mindful of sun cream and salt water, which can dull the surface over time, and rinse them after a day at the beach.
Anti-fog lenses are the exception. Many anti-fog treatments do not like soap or prolonged rinsing, so follow the specific advice that came with them.

If you are not sure what is on your lenses, just ask. Knowing exactly what you are caring for is part of why we talk you through your lens options properly when you choose a new pair.

Thinking about a new pair, or an upgrade to a tougher, easier-clean coating? Take a look at our lens options or browse the frames, and pop in whenever you would like a hand.

Do not forget the frames, nose pads and case

The lenses get all the attention, but the frame matters too.

Give the frame the same gentle wash as the lenses, working soap around the nose pads and hinges where grime gathers.
Clear nose pads can yellow over time. If yours have, they can usually be replaced quickly and cheaply.
Store your glasses in a hard case whenever they are off your face, with the lenses facing up so they never rest on the surface. A case is the cheapest scratch insurance there is.
Keep them away from heat. A car dashboard in summer, the top of a radiator, a steamy kitchen or a hairdryer can all warp frames and damage coatings.
Frames that have gone loose or wonky do not sit evenly and tend to trap dirt. A quick adjustment puts that right, and you are always welcome to pop in for one.

How often should you clean your glasses?

A proper wash every morning is a lovely habit, and even every couple of days makes a noticeable difference. In between, a quick once-over with your microfibre cloth keeps smudges at bay. The cloth itself needs a wash now and then, too. Rinse it in cool water without fabric softener, as softener leaves a film that smears straight back onto your lenses.

When to bring your glasses in to us

Some things are easier sorted in practice than at the kitchen sink. It is worth popping in when:

Your lenses are scratched, and it is affecting your vision.
Your frames feel loose, tight or crooked and need adjusting.
Grime has built up in spots you cannot easily reach.
You would simply like a professional once-over.

Looking after your eyewear after you buy it is part of the service here, not an added extra. If you are local to Belsize Park, Hampstead, Primrose Hill or Camden, you are always welcome to drop in for an adjustment or a bit of advice.

For more on caring for your glasses, the College of Optometrists offers helpful, independent guidance, including a short video on cleaning lenses without damaging them. You can read it on the Look After Your Eyes website.

Frequently asked questions

Can I clean my glasses with washing-up liquid?

Yes. A small drop of plain, lotion-free washing-up liquid is one of the safest and most effective ways to clean glasses. Avoid anything with added moisturiser, and rinse with lukewarm rather than hot water.

Why should I not clean my glasses with my shirt?

Fabric holds tiny dust particles, and wiping a dry lens drags them across the surface like fine sandpaper. Over time, this causes the hazy network of scratches you sometimes see on older glasses. A microfibre cloth on a slightly damp lens is far kinder.

Can I use glass cleaner or household spray on my glasses?

It is best not to. Household and glass cleaners often contain ammonia, alcohol or other chemicals that can strip the coatings from optical lenses. Use washing-up liquid and water, or a cleaner specifically labelled safe for coated lenses.

How do I clean my glasses without a microfibre cloth?

Wash them with water and a drop of lotion-free washing-up liquid, then dry them with a clean, lint-free cotton cloth that has not been washed with fabric softener. Avoid paper towels and tissues, which can scratch.

Is cleaning contact lenses the same as cleaning glasses?

No, the two are completely different. Contact lenses sit on your eye and need their own dedicated solution and a careful hygiene routine. You can read more on our contact lenses page, or ask us at your next visit.

How do I get rid of scratches on my lenses?

Unfortunately, scratches cannot be safely polished out at home, and rubbing usually makes them worse. If scratches are affecting your vision, bring your glasses in and we will check whether a fresh lens is the answer.

Ready for clearer vision? Whether you need an eye examination, a new pair of glasses or a quick adjustment, we would love to help. Book an appointment online or call us on 020 7586 5508.

How to Clean Your Glasses the Right Way (Without Scratching the Lenses)