Helpful tips on eyeglass maintenance and cleaning

July 29, 2015

If you wear glasses, you know how frustrating it is when you scratch a lens, or a frame suddenly falls apart and you can't find the tiny screw. Here are a few ideas to keep your lenses scratch-free and your frames in one piece for as long as you need them.

Helpful tips on eyeglass maintenance and cleaning

Use your case

  • It may seem simplistic, but using a glasses case will increase the longevity of your eyewear.
  • Don't leave glasses out on your nightstand when you go to bed, or your bathroom counter if you're using contacts.
  • If possible, keep an extra glasses case wherever you most often take your glasses off.

Be careful how you carry your glasses

  • If you must take your glasses out with you when you're not wearing them, carry them in a case.
  • A hard case is preferable to a soft case and will protect your glasses from more damage.

Be careful how you wipe your lenses

  • Most eyeglasses made today use coated plastic lenses that are easily damaged and scratched if wiped with a paper tissue or towel.
  • Keep the lenses scratch-free and damage-free by using a soft, dry, lint-free cloth to clean your glasses.
  • A scrap of silk will work nicely, or you can buy a package of cloths from your optician for just a few dollars. Opticians will often be happy to give you a cloth for free.

Take care what liquid you use

  • If you need to use a liquid to wash smudged plastic lenses, use a lens-cleaning solution, available from your optician or your local pharmacy.
  • Do not use window cleaner or other abrasive substances as they can damage the protective coating on the lenses.

Make your own solution (for glass lenses only)

  • If your eyeglasses have glass lenses, you don't need to buy a special lens-cleaning solution.
  • You can use an inexpensive homemade solution instead: Just mix equal parts of white vinegar and water.

Keep screws tight

  • Don't let a loose screw or two lead to the untimely demise of your eyeglass frames.
  • Next time you replace or tighten a screw, make sure it is twisted tight and then use a toothpick to apply a small drop of clear nail polish to the top of the screw.
  • Take care not to get any of the polish on the lenses or frames, as it can damage the plastic.
  • The nail polish will keep the screw from loosening again.

New uses for eyeglasses

Don't throw away your old eyeglasses after you get new ones. Here are a few suggestions to give your old glasses a second lease on life:

  • If your prescription is the same or has changed only slightly, you can turn your old glasses into a new pair of prescription sunglasses. Having the lenses coated and using the same frame will provide substantial savings over buying a brand-new pair.
  • Keep your old glasses as a spare. If you misplace, lose, or break your new glasses, you will have the old pair to use in a pinch.
  • Take out the lenses and use the frames as part of a Halloween costume, or save them with other props the kids might use when putting on a show.
  • Donate the old glasses to a charity that provides free eyeglasses to the needy.
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