How to clean your glasses and sunglasses to avoid scratches

Washing-up liquid, a tissue, your shirt sleeve - we know it’s tempting to use whatever’s nearby for a quick glasses clean. But what really is the best way to do it? And what could damage your lenses over time? 

We’ve got the lowdown on what works (and what doesn’t), with expert advice from optometrist Daniel Hardiman-McCartney, MBE FCOptom, optometrist and clinical adviser at the College of Optometrists. 

From proper cleaning techniques to simple ways to keep your specs in good shape, we've done the research so you don't have to. 

Here’s how to look after your glasses, your sunglasses and your eyes.

Eat well, live better and stay healthy: sign up for our free monthly Food & Health newsletter for the latest insights straight to your inbox 

How to clean glasses - a simple 5-step routine

1. Start by washing your hands - clean hands mean clean lenses.
2. Rinse your glasses under lukewarm water to remove any dust or grit.
3. Add a tiny drop of hand soap (without moisturisers) to your fingers and lather.
4. Gently rub the lenses and frames with your fingers, getting into all the nooks like the nose pads. Rinse well to get rid of all the soap. 
5. Shake off the water, then dry with a clean microfibre cloth - avoid tissues, towels or your shirt. Give them a quick polish if needed, and you’re good to go. 

This also works to clean sunglasses.

Daniel Hardiman-McCartney also warns against using the same microfibre cloth over and over again. 

It will eventually get dirty or gritty, which could scratch your glasses when you use it on the lenses.

‘Lens cleaning cloths are cheap or sometimes free to replace, but the most sustainable route is to buy a microfibre cloth that's washable,’ he says. Just remember not to chuck it in the machine with other clothes, as microfibre cloths can tear holes in other materials in the wash.

Can I clean my glasses with window or glass cleaner? 

No, it's not advised. While it may seem to make sense as these sprays are the go-to for cleaning glass and mirrored surfaces around your home, the ingredients in household cleaners aren't designed for reading glasses and sunglasses, and they're as damaging as they are ineffective.

‘Household glass cleaners tend to smear when used to clean spectacles, and some of the chemical ingredients will wear away the varnish on your frames, so they're not recommended,’ Hardiman-McCartney advises.

Instead, he suggests using a bottle of lens cleaner and a microfibre cloth.

To clean spectacles, an alcohol-free liquid lens cleaner is more gentle on the delicate coating on your glasses, and the microfibre cloth removes grease and smears without the risk of scratching, making this the optimum choice for keeping your glasses clean and free from damage.

‘Most optometrists will supply you with a bottle of lens cleaner and a microfibre cloth when you first get your glasses, so you can start off with the best option to hand,’ Hardiman-McCartney says. 

It's worth noting that some optometrists also offer free refills of cleaning liquid, which can help to reduce the cost of cleaning your glasses, so be sure to check with yours.

Can I clean my glasses with washing-up liquid? 

No, this isn't the best way to clean your spectacles. 

Washing-up liquid might keep your drinking glasses clean and sparkling, but it can be damaging when you use it on glasses and sunglasses.

With repeated use, the grease-busting chemicals in washing-up liquid, known as surfactants, will compromise the lens coating on your glasses by ‘crazing’ them.

That means a web of fine cracks could appear on the surface, especially in the middle, resulting in glare and a slight reduction in your vision.

Gentler liquid or hand soap is fine for carefully cleaning stubborn dirt or oil from the frames, but is best avoided on the lenses.

This is because lots of shop-bought soaps contain similar surfactants to those present in washing-up liquid, and it's difficult to tell which ones contain them. Best to play it safe and steer clear altogether.

If you do want to clean your frames using soap, make a lather with the soap in your hands and apply that to the frames before rinsing them off with lukewarm water and drying them carefully afterwards.

From big brands to supermarket own-labels – we've tested both to reveal the best and worst washing-up liquids

Can I clean my glasses with saliva? 

No, this is not recommended. And, while we've all likely done it and it might seem like a quick and simple solution, using your own saliva to give your glasses a quick clean is not recommended.

Putting saliva close to your eyes puts you at much greater risk of corneal (the front part of your eye) infections, according to this 2022 study in the National Library of Medicine.

Save yourself the risk and don't use saliva to clean your spectacles. It won't get the lenses sparkling, either. So avoid.

Can I clean my glasses with a tissue or baby wipes? 

Only lint-free tissues and alcohol-free baby wipes will be OK to clean spectacles. 

Most common household tissues are lint-based. Lint fibres are like little magnets for dirt and dust, so if you use lint-based tissues to clean your glasses, you'll likely rub those bits onto your lenses, scratching them and leaving dust particles behind.

‘The packaging doesn't make it obvious [whether your tissue] is truly lint-free,’ Hardiman-McCartney says, ‘so it can be difficult to tell. However, most household kitchen roll is lint-free, so that's probably your best bet.’

Can I clean my glasses with hot water? 

Not hot water, no. It's fine to give your frames a rinse in warm water, though. 

In fact, rinsing your glasses is recommended, as it helps to remove bits of dirt and grit that could otherwise scratch your lenses, but if the water is too hot there's a risk it will also cause damage.

‘Lukewarm water is kinder to your glasses than hot water,’ Hardiman-McCartney says. ‘Glasses aren't designed to cope with high temperatures. Boiling water will be especially damaging.’

Can I use microfibre lens wipes? 

Yes, you can use microfibre lens wipes to clean your spectacles. There is a wide variety of single-use microfibre lens wipes that are tailor-made for cleaning glasses, and they can be very effective.

Many brands can't be recycled, but you can buy compostable wipes with recyclable packaging to reduce the environmental impact. 

Some wipes are alcohol-based; these are advertised for use on your phone or laptop screen, but the alcohol in them is too aggressive for your glasses and could end up causing damage over time.

‘They're quite expensive as there's an ongoing cost,’ says Hardiman-McCartney. ‘But they are handy for scenarios such as when you're travelling.’

How to make your glasses last longer

Taking proper care of your glasses can help prolong their life, saving you money in the long run. 

Daniel Hardiman-McCartney tells us: 'Looking after your glasses properly can significantly extend their lifespan, good for the environment and saves money.'

So, as well as using the right gear to clean them, make sure you:

Invest in storage
Store them in a rigid case when not in use to prevent scratches or accidental bending, and protect from dust, moisture and dirt.

Use a cloth
Clean them regularly with a microfibre cloth and lens-safe solution – avoid using tissues or your sleeve, which can grind in dirt and damage the lens coatings.

Don't leave them in the car
Try to avoid placing them lens-side down, and don’t leave them in hot places like the dashboard of your car – extreme heat can warp frames and affect lens coatings.

Check in with your optician regularly
Regularly adjusting the fit with your optician can also prevent stress on the hinges and keep them feeling like new for longer, and maintain a comfortable fit.

Hardiman-McCartney adds: 'It's important to remember to have regular eye tests, normally around once every two years, as recommended by your optometrist, even if your glasses are feeling as good as new. 

'The eye test will include a health assessment, which is vital for detecting early signs of various eye and general health conditions before you develop symptoms.'

Best places to buy glasses - get our independent insights into the best opticians for buying glasses, and what you need to know when choosing

Can I wear my glasses on top of my head?

You can but your optometrist won't like it, and neither will your glasses. 'Wearing your glasses as a hairband is an optometrist’s pet hate,' explains Daniel Hardiman-McCartney.

'We see the aftermath all the time! It might look stylish in the moment, but it’s a fast track to misaligned frames, scratched lenses and suddenly wondering why your specs don’t sit straight anymore.

 While it might feel convenient, resting your glasses on top of your head can damage them. Hardiman-McCartney tells us: 'The sides can widen over time, affecting the fit and stability on your face, and the constant stretching of the hinges can lead to the feeling of looseness and discomfort. 

'Wearing them on your head can also smudge or scratch the lenses, and if you’re distracted or bend over, they can easily fall off. 

'If you regularly take your glasses on and off, consider using a glasses cord or chain to keep them safely around your neck, or a hard case to pop them in.' 

Should glasses wearers invest in a tiny screw set?

Yes, says Hardiman-McCartney. 'A small glasses repair kit can be a useful backup for tightening loose screws or making minor adjustments at home or while travelling. 

'It’s worth keeping one in a drawer or bag, especially if your glasses have traditional screw hinges. These kits are best used for temporary fixes. However, be careful not to inadvertently scratch the lenses with the micro-screwdriver, and not to force the screw, which can result in a more costly repair being required.

'If your glasses feel loose, crooked, or uncomfortable, it’s still best to visit your local optician. They can carry out proper repairs and adjustments, helping to avoid bigger problems down the line. Many practices will offer this service free of charge if you return to where you purchased the glasses.' 

Meet our expert

Daniel Hardiman-McCartney MBE FCOptom FRSA, optometrist and clinical adviser at the College of Optometrists

Daniel Hardiman-McCartney is committed to supporting all practitioners and ensuring that patient care is always at the heart of optometry. He helped lead the sector’s response to the pandemic and has acted as a senior workforce adviser to NHSE and as an industry consultant. Daniel has made many national media appearances discussing the importance of good eye health and the vital role of optometry in primary care.

Daniel was previously the managing director of a practice in Cambridge and a visiting clinician at Anglia Ruskin University. He has also worked as a senior glaucoma optometrist with Addenbrooke’s Hospital Trust, Cambridge. He was awarded an MBE for services to optometry in 2022.