Lens wipes are some of the most taken-for-granted eyewear accessories. They’re the best way to clean your lenses, but you know how it goes … you go out and forget to bring some wipes along, or maybe you have some but end up not bothering with them. You default to using your shirt or anything handy to clean your grimy eyeglasses.
Using lens wipes isn’t just about using cleaners that actually work. It’s also about extending the life of your eyewear. Lens coating degrades with time, dust, smudges, and fingerprints.
Tissues, paper towels, and your shirts aren’t made to clean them. They will only add to the problem and cause tiny scratches. Plus, they don’t even clean as well as lens wipes do. When you let dirt build up on your lenses, it impairs your view. You might even experience eye strain when using your eyeglasses.
Choose lens wipes for your eyeglasses. Here’s the best way to integrate wipes into your eyewear care.
Choosing the Right Lens Wipes
There are several lens wipes to choose from, all with varying levels of cleaning chemicals. Some have harsher ingredients than others. These chemicals can damage your lenses, even when they’re advertised as scratch-resistant.
So, before you buy your lens wipes, make sure to check the ingredients. Choose alcohol-free and ammonia-free wipes for effective cleaning that’s gentle on your lenses.
Take a look at the convenient lens cleaning wipes currently available online.
Using Your Lens Wipes Properly
Wash your hands first.
Keep soiled, dirty hands off your lenses. Even if you don’t see it, fingers can carry dirt, oils, and whatnot, which is bad news for your lenses.
Anytime you need to handle your glasses, make sure to wash your hands first … yes, even when you’re just going to wipe your lenses. Greasy hands will only make dirty lenses worse.
Wash with mild soap and water. Wipe off your wet hands with a lint-free towel. Take these small steps, and you’ll get a truly clean pair of eyeglasses.
Remove loose debris.
Loose debris can act like sandpaper when rubbed against your lenses. These can leave micro-scratches. These scratches will only worsen with time, especially if you neglect this step.
Before cleaning your lenses with lens wipes, gently blow off any loose debris. If there’s running lukewarm water nearby, use it to clean off larger particles from your lenses.
Use a circular cleaning motion.
As with everything, there’s a prescribed procedure for using lens wipes. Follow these steps to get grime- and dirt-free lenses.
First, unfold the wipe in its entirety. Use a fresh, unused section to wipe off each side of the lens. Use slow circular motions when cleaning. This is better than rubbing back and forth, as this can leave streaks. Don’t press too hard! There may be bits of debris left, which would only smudge them up.
Pro Tip: For a super soft, reusable lens wipe option, use the Zeiss Jumbo Microfiber Cloth.
Don’t forget your frames.
When you clean your lenses, you need to clean your frames, too. Several parts of your frames are prone to oil, sweat, and dust buildup. Take an extra look at the parts that touch your face, like the nose pads and temple arms.
After you’ve cleaned the lenses, move towards the frames, carefully wiping them down. Take time to clean the nose pads and temple arms—regular cleaning can make your frames last longer.
Let your lenses dry naturally.
Lens wipes can leave your lenses a bit wet. Just air them out and let them dry naturally. You might feel the urge to take a tissue or paper towel to wipe the moistness down. Don’t.
Don’t use anything but lens wipes on your lenses. Other materials can leave lints or micro-scratches.
If you don’t want to deal with leftover moisture, try Peeps Cleaner. This innovative dry-cleaning solution safely removes fingerprints and smudges without lens wipes.
Store your glasses properly.
Lastly, store your eyeglasses properly to avoid scratches and dust/dirt accumulation. Avoid storing them with the lens side down. At the same time, don’t just store your glasses as is, in your bag. Have your eyeglasses case with you.
Always keep your glasses in a sturdy case. This keeps them safe from unintentional scratches and away from exposure to the elements.
Additionally, you can use Zeiss Anti-Fog Defender System Spray as anti-fog protection. This is extra handy during cold or humid weather conditions.
What To Avoid
Your eyeglasses will have a longer lifespan when you become aware of any poor care practices. Here are a few things to keep in mind and avoid:
- Paper towels and tissues – No matter how soft they are, paper towels and tissues are not made for lenses. They can leave tiny scratches that grow worse with time and continued use.
- Household cleaners – Chemicals such as ammonia, vinegar, and alcohol might seem to clean your lenses at first. Just remember that harsh ingredients can strip away the protective coating of your lenses, degrading their quality over time.
- Reusing wipes – Once is enough. Don’t reuse lens wipes. It’s like wiping your dirty lenses with dirty wipes.
How Often Should You Clean Your Glasses?
Cleaning thoroughly twice a day is a common practice. Follow the whole procedure: start with the lenses and then wipe down the frames.
There may be situations where you need to clean your eyeglasses more often. Maybe you’re at the gym or out in nature, or maybe you’re in your kitchen or at the spa. A quick lens wipe cleanup is fine in the middle of your day.
Alternative Cleaning Methods
Lens wipes are the best, but if you don’t have immediate access to them, you can use a few alternatives.
You can use a microfiber cloth with a specialized lens cleaner/spray. Alternatively, wash your eyeglasses with a mild soap and lukewarm water. Then, let your frames dry naturally.
Avoid strong chemicals and rough clothing or paper materials.
Signs You Need New Glasses or Lenses
No matter how much cleaning you do, there will come a time when you’ll need to let go of your favorite eyeglasses and buy new ones.
Even with proper care, they don’t last forever. Watch out for tell-tale signs like permanent smudges, deep scratches, or peeled coatings.
Your prescription can also change over time. If you suddenly struggle to see clearly, you might need new glasses.
Final Thoughts
Use lens wipes to get the best possible clean for your eyeglasses. Create a habit around it: two complete eyewear cleanups daily, then the occasional quick wipes as you go about your day. And make sure to clean using gentle circular strokes.
Keep top-quality wipes with you at all times. If you want more options, explore the wide range of lens cleaning products available.
