How to Clean Spectacles
Written by Optometrist Anthony Mulvahil
At Christensen Harbison Optometrists we are often asked about the best way to clean spectacles. We provide cleaning spray with all new spectacle purchases, and we’ll even refill it for free when you run out! Spray both sides of the lenses and wipe dry with a clean tissue. We also provide a microfibre cleaning cloth for removing smudges and polishing the lenses to get them super clear.
What if you don’t have your cleaning spray with you?
It’s a good rule of thumb to wet your lenses before you wipe them. Run them under a tap, a little bit of dishwashing liquid or hand soap is fine, just avoid anything with moisturisers in them as they make the lenses smeary. That applies to tissues too, avoid the Aloe Vera ones! When running glasses under the tap, just avoid really hot water as it can damage the lens coating, warm/tepid water is best.
What about those lens wipes, are they any good?
Yes, we sell ZEISS lens wipes and ZEISS anti-fog wipes. These are handy to have in the handbag or the console of the car. ZEISS lens wipes are effective at getting your lenses looking their best. Pro tip – you can even use lens wipes to clean your mobile phone screen! ZEISS anti-fog wipes are effective at preventing your lenses from fogging up, particularly when you are required to wear a mask.
What about the frames?
Again, running them under the tap does the trick, removing skin acids and salts. It’s akin to rinsing a boat down with fresh water after use to remove the salty water that does the damage. What about my nose pieces, they’ve gone a bit funky? Nose pieces are perishable, so they eventually need replacing when they start getting a bit worse for wear. This is easily done in store and is an inexpensive way to get your glasses looking good again. Christensen Harbison Optometrists also does complimentary professional cleaning where we remove the lenses and put the frames in an ultrasonic cleaner which is similar to what jewellers use to get jewellery looking its best.
