We have all done it. You notice a smudge on your sunglasses. You grab the edge of your t-shirt and give them a quick rub. And one day, you suddenly notice a permanent scratch right in your line of vision and wonder how it got there. Cleaning your shades seems simple.
Cleaning your shades seems simple, but doing it wrong can instantly ruin your investment, especially if it's an expensive lens.
This blog covers everything you need to know to clean your sunglasses without causing microscopic scratches using everyday items you already have at home.
Step-by-Step Sunglasses Cleaning Guide
1. Wash hands
Clean hands are a universal step for literally cleaning anything. You may be tempted to clean your lenses during a beach setting where your hands are full of sand, sweat, or lotions. Not washing this dirt may cause transferring them to your lenses, causing worse smudges or scratches during smudging.
2. Rinse debris
First, hold the frame or lens under a gentle stream of lukewarm water. This step ends when you verify that the lens is free from any rigid and hard debris.
Why lukewarm water?
Cold water hardens skin oils, makeup, and sunscreen. Hot water may expand lens materials and weaken any coatings applied. Lukewarm water only softens these.
Why a gentle stream?
If there are any sand or dust particles that can scratch the lens, a high-pressure stream may force them. This may scratch the lens minutely even without you touching it.
3. Apply Mild Soap
Put a single drop of lotion-free dishwashing liquid on your fingers. Then lather the lenses and nose pads. You can also use a dedicated eyewear cleaner if you are able to. Sri Lankans often get tempted to use whatever they find convenient. No matter what you use, don’t use these soaps for cleaning your sunglasses:
Lotion-infused and bar soaps - Both these leave a thick film on the lenses that disrupts the vision.
Antibacterial soaps and laundry detergent - Too harsh and may strip away polarised layers from the lens.
4. Rub gently
The technique you use to apply the soap also matters a lot. The recommended method is massaging in light circular motions. This method saves many casualties that can happen by doing straight back-and-forth rubbing.
Circular rubbing lifts and rolls any particle which you may have missed minimally, while back and forth rubbing can force them deeper into the coating. If it's skin oils, sunscreen, or anything similar, straight wiping pushes them directly into the grooves between the lens and the frame. This method is also low risk on the lens center, which is the most important part of sunglasses.
5. Rinse Again and Dry
The final step is to flush all soap residue away under the tap, shake off excess water, and wipe dry. If it is a hard stain, you may need to follow the steps up to rinsing a few more times.
You can use a microfiber cloth for this step. Or you can also play the long game by air drying as well.
What to Avoid: A Final Reminder
No clothing: Never wipe lenses with your t-shirt, tie, or hem, which trap abrasive dust fibers.
No paper products: Avoid paper towels, tissues, and napkins, as wood pulp scratches coatings.
No hot water: Skip hot water, which can craze or ruin delicate specialized lens treatments.
No harsh chemicals: Avoid window sprays like Windex, acetone, or heavy rubbing alcohol.
Final Conclusion
Protecting your sunglasses requires prioritizing patience over shortcuts. By rinsing away abrasive grit before wiping, using coating-safe soaps, and choosing the right drying materials, you preserve visual clarity and extend the lifespan of your eyewear investment.
At Polar Sun, we offer durable and high-quality sunglasses that last a lifetime and support daily lifestyle.
