How to clean and care for your glasses

Good glasses are an investment, and a few small habits keep them clear, comfortable and lasting far longer. Most lens scratches and loose frames come from everyday handling rather than accidents — so the way you clean and store a pair matters more than you might expect.

Cleaning lenses the right way

The safest routine is simple: rinse first, then wipe. Running water lifts away the grit that would otherwise drag across the lens and scratch it. A drop of mild dish soap and a gentle rub with your fingertips clears oils, then dry with a clean microfibre cloth.

• Rinse under lukewarm water before wiping, to float off dust and grit.
• Use a clean microfibre cloth — the ones supplied for lenses — not a shirt, tissue or paper towel.
• A dedicated lens spray or a little mild dish soap is enough; there is no need for anything harsh.

What to avoid

A few common habits quietly wear lenses out. Wiping dry lenses grinds dust into the coating. Household glass cleaners and alcohol-based sprays can strip anti-reflective and other coatings over time. And very hot water can craze a coating, so keep to lukewarm.

• Don't wipe dry, dusty lenses — rinse first.
• Avoid ammonia or window cleaners; they attack lens coatings.
• Skip tissues, paper towels and clothing, which are more abrasive than they feel.

Storing and handling

When your glasses are off your face, they belong in a case — a hard case for a bag, a soft pouch at a minimum. Rest them lenses-up if you ever set them down bare, never lens-down on a surface. And take them on and off with both hands, one on each temple, which keeps the frame from bending out of alignment over time.

A little maintenance goes a long way

Screws loosen and nose pads wear with normal use — both are quick, inexpensive fixes rather than reasons to replace a pair. An occasional check-up keeps the frame aligned so the lenses stay in front of your eyes where the correction is designed to sit. Treated well, a good pair of glasses will serve you comfortably for years.