Cleaning glasses properly is a simple process—but it's more involved than wiping them with the nearest rag. They could end up with scratches on the lenses, which can make it harder to see. There are a few important steps that you should take while cleaning them and some habits to avoid, which are outlined below. 

Do:

Use a gentle liquid soap.

Avoid using liquid dishwasher detergent or any soaps with citrus or skin-softening oils because these cleansers can erode any protective or anti-glare coatings. The safest bet is to clean them with a tiny drop of plain liquid dish soap.

Store them in a case.

It can be easy to get used to placing glasses down on the nearest surface when they’re not in use, but that can increase their risk of damage. It’s important to keep glasses protected in a hard-shell case. Not only will it protect them from accidental drops, but it will also keep dust and debris from gathering on the lenses.

Don’t:

Wipe them with your shirt.

When glasses need a quick cleaning, it’s an instinct to clean them on the edge of your shirt. While clothes may seem like a convenient way to clean them, it is not the most effective. 

Clothes can carry small dust particles, and when you clean the lenses using them, the particles can cause small scratches. To avoid this, keep a small microfiber cloth on hand as a backup.

Dry them with paper towels or facial tissues.

Paper towels, toilet papers, and tissues can smear the lenses and leave them full of lint. As wood-pulp and paper-based products, the fine particles can leave scratches on the lenses, too. Eye doctors recommend microfiber cloths instead because they are lint-free, trap debris and dust, and cut body oils to avoid smearing lenses.

If you need new glasses or regular eye exams, contact Lieblong Eye Clinic in Russellville, AR. They offer eye exams and eye health evaluations to test for eye diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration. Call (479) 968-2020 today to schedule an appointment or visit their website to learn more.