Only systematic care can extend the life of the glasses. Opticians and oculists recommend combining dry and wet cleaning. In the latter case, it is not necessary to resort to water. If the frame does not allow its use, then it is better to turn to specialized products for optical devices . It is also important to learn the right ways to use tools. Thus, you protect yourself from unnecessary expenses for the repair of the old and the purchase of a new frame.
Rules for cleaning glasses
First, find out the type of lens. This is necessary, since the materials used for the manufacture of glass differ from each other in the level of resistance to scratches, reaction to chemistry and high temperatures.
With plastic lenses
Plastic is lightweight, flexible, but prone to scratches and plaque ( namely plaque, not stains, the latter are typical for glass lenses ). For this reason, while caring for them, they use exclusively:
- funds that do not leave stains;
- liquid chemistry;
- very soft rags, colorless and made from natural fabrics.
Ideally, you need to use specialized napkins. You can buy them in optics.
Important! Do not use a rag that was previously used for other work to clean the glasses. Even if you washed it afterwards, there is no guarantee that the fibers did not absorb fat or detergents that are incompatible with the frame or lenses.
With glass lenses
Fighting, heavy, subject to the appearance of stains, but resistant to the formation of scratches and film coating of glass. The latter quality allows you to rinse the lenses under running water (do not do this if the frame is metal) and use a variety of tools when caring for it, starting with specialized solutions and ending with a dishwashing liquid.
Important! To prevent the used product from leaving stains, do not let it dry naturally.
With coated lenses
Film and spraying can be damaged, lagged or even peeled off from contact with strong substances. Also, do not use on such lenses:
- powder formulations;
- chemistry containing acetic acid;
- ammonia based products;
- fat soluble liquids.
Instead of the options listed, go to a pharmacy or optician and ask for a liquid or spray for the care of your glasses with filter films or protective spray. Often, such products not only carefully removes all types of pollution often found on glasses, but also additionally have a dust-repellent and antistatic effect.
What cleaning methods can I use?
Wet and dry cleaning methods are acceptable, using water, specialized and home cleaning products. When choosing an option, consider the type of frame and lenses, their condition and recommendations from the manufacturer, which can be found in the booklet or the instructions for the glasses.
Napkins and rags
Important! Reusable rags do not need liquid products, but can be supplemented with them. The treatment procedure itself is reduced to mechanical wiping with or without preliminary spraying. Joint use will require washing the rags (provided that the lenses were seriously dirty or the rags had already been used several times to clean).
Disposable napkins cannot be washed; they lose their integrity from such a procedure. But they are often saturated with special additives that contribute to achieving the best results with minimal effort . Their use is reduced to wiping the surface. Drying the glasses after this is not necessary.
Dry using ordinary rags is still not worth it . This method can be resorted to only in case of acute need in the complete absence of time. It will be much more correct to hold the frame for about a minute under warm water, and only then start working with a rag. At the end of the procedure, put the glasses on another dry rag . Thus, you allow small fasteners and hard to reach places to dry normally.
Important! Water is completely replaceable with specialized cleaning compounds.
Compositions and means
Some of them further prevent fogging . The topic raised is an urgent problem that arises with a sharp temperature drop (in other words, when entering a room from a winter street). Its peculiarity lies in the fact that rubbing such a precipitate cannot be completely removed. We have to wait until the frozen glasses can adapt to the temperature of the room. Processed glass is much less prone to fogging . Even if this happens to them, then the precipitate that appears is easily removed from the surface of the lenses.
Important! When choosing a composition, pay attention to what type of lens it is compatible with. In addition to universal products that are equally suitable for sunglasses and corrective glasses with any type of lenses, highly specialized products exist. It is designed for use with a specific type of optical devices and only in combination with them shows a decent result.
Recommended sprays and remedies:
- Good look. A universal spray that improves light transmission and prevents fogging.
- HD Solution for glass lenses. It is noteworthy that they can handle not only glass, but also all types of frames.
- Spray Clean Universal option, suitable also for anti-glare glasses.
What can not be cleaned glasses?
Tools and means not recommended for use:
- based on ammonia and vinegar;
- fat soluble;
- bleaches;
- window cleaning products;
- stiff brushes, coarse fabrics;
- paper napkins;
- rags with an uneven surface;
- painted rags.
Important! Scratches can form even after applying a very soft, but dusty rag. Therefore, store wipes designed for glasses in a case or other place inaccessible to small particles of dirt.
Also, do not expose polycarbonate lenses to alcohol-containing compounds, dishwashing detergents (suitable only for glass) and too hot water. Glass ones should not come in contact with powders and chemistry, which leaves stains after itself.
How to wipe the lens so that there are no stains?
Next, we will go over the tools and compositions that will help to avoid the appearance of stains. Disposable specialized optical wipes are impregnated with compounds that prevent the formation of whitish plaque. However, do not rely on sanitary napkins and options for wiping equipment screens . The first does not help, and the second does not have the necessary number of characteristics specifically for working with lenses. In other words, their properties are enough for high-quality cleaning of displays, but glasses are more demanding glasses.
All dry rags should be kept in impeccable cleanliness, not used for wiping non-optical devices and washed in a timely manner . Only strict observance of all 3 described rules can become the basis for lens cleaning without streaks.
Important! Microfiber rags are washed every 2-3 lens cleanings. This is a daily routine.
It is also worth worrying about the quality of the water used . Rigid and containing a large amount of impurities will leave a film. Moreover, the plastic support from contact with it will also begin to accumulate whitish “fingerprints” on itself over time. And it will be extremely difficult to wipe the frame from them.
Can I clean without microfiber and spray?
If the problem is precisely the absence of microfiber, then it is replaceable with suede wipes . This option is more suitable for glass lenses. Plastic can be wiped with a good cotton cloth.
If the difficulty is caused by the lack of a spray, then a soap solution will come to the rescue . After using it, the lenses will need to be doused with running water, thoroughly wet with a rag and put the glasses to dry on top of another not wet rag.
Important! Before any kind of cleaning, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly. The same action, along with drying the palms, is carried out before the final wiping of the glasses.
The very procedure for applying the product - whether it is shampoo (an option for plastic) or a dishwashing detergent (solution for glass) - is as follows:
- a container with warm water is prepared in advance, a rag and a tool are selected;
- using the thumb and forefinger, the cleaning agent is evenly applied to the surface of the lenses;
- then soap foam is washed off in water;
- glasses are wiped;
- are dried;
- examined for the presence of divorces;
- in the presence of detergent residues or extraneous traces of the lens, wipe again.
The indicated method works only with slightly contaminated glasses and is suitable mainly for scheduled cleaning (glasses are washed twice with water just a month, with the product - at least once every 4–5 weeks). If a stain is formed on the optical device, then more efforts will have to be made during the application of the product. It will be necessary to rub the pollution with the index finger and thumb (use them at the same time, do not squeeze the glass out of it), and then leave the cleaning compound on the glasses for 20-30 minutes.
Important! Some types of dirt from the glass are also removed with toothpaste.
The listed methods, tools and tools should not be applied on glasses with a special coating . Such products must be processed exclusively by proven and reliable "non-people" options.
How to clean the frame from dirt?
For the convenience of the procedure and a better result, resort to cotton swabs . Put a small amount of detergent on them, and then wipe all areas that require cleaning. If you don’t have sticks at hand, you can use a toothbrush with the softest bristles as their replacement.
Important! When using a toothbrush, be careful not to let it touch the surface of the glass. This will definitely lead to scratches and microcracks.
From very persistent and severe pollution, it is worth trying a toothpaste. At the same time, you need to be realistic and understand that sometimes the traces of dirt on plastic taken as dirt are nothing but the first signs of delamination, and the metal frame may well become oxidized and begin to rust . In both cases, cleaning is not the recommended action. You need to go to the optics and order a new pair.
How to dry glasses?
Useful notes and recommendations:
- If the glasses were washed under water, be sure to shake them off, and only then proceed to drying with a microfiber cloth.
- When working with rags, do not move randomly. Move in one direction.
- Do not exert much effort. The movements should be light and circular.
- First, the glasses are wiped, then the nose pads, and then the rims and temples itself.
- Decorative elements of the frame and fasteners connecting the earhooks can accumulate moisture and dry them due to the usual wiping with a rag will not succeed. Therefore, it makes sense to give the glasses a little rest after washing . If you do so, you will be able to preserve the original consumer properties of your optics longer.
