Just like prescription glasses, sunglasses need to be pampered so you can get the most out of them. With our step-by-step guide, we explain how to maintain and clean them to avoid micro-scratches and unsightly smudges.
In this article:
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🕶 What should you use to clean your sunglasses?
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🙅♂️ What you MUST NOT do when cleaning your sunglasses
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🧽 Cleaning sunglasses with special lenses
What should you use to clean your sunglasses?
😎 Daily cleaning: The microfiber cloth - [Level 1]
For quick daily cleaning of your sunglass lenses and frames, there is nothing better than a small microfiber cloth.
It allows you to remove dirt, smudges, and fingerprints from your lenses and frames in seconds. Discreet and easy to slip into a pocket, its texture allows you to clean your glasses without the risk of scratches or abrasion.
To clean your sunglasses with a microfiber cloth, follow these simple steps:
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Before using the cloth, make sure it is clean and free of any residue or abrasive particles.
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Remove dust and loose dirt by gently blowing on the lenses or rinsing them with lukewarm water.
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Use the microfiber cloth to gently wipe the lenses and frames. Use circular or gentle back-and-forth motions to remove smudges and fingerprints.
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Carefully check that there are no streaks or residue left on the lenses. Repeat the process if necessary.
💡HORUS X TIP: Not all cloths are created equal. At Horus X, for example, all our sunglasses come with a high-quality microfiber cloth. The density of the microfiber matters!
💦 Effectively removing stubborn fingerprints from your glasses [Level 2]
Fingerprints are inevitable on sunglass lenses, as are the small grease marks that can appear. Here are some tips and tricks to effectively remove fingerprints from your sunglasses:
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Use a cleaning spray or a wipe already soaked in cleaning solution. Spray the product onto the surface of each lens, inside and out.
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Clean the lenses with the microfiber cloth or with the cleaning wipe. Always use circular motions while holding the glasses by the temples or the frame.
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Clean your glasses until the product is completely absorbed.
So far, so good—nothing too complex. But if your glasses look more disgusting than a coypu emerging from behind a dumpster after hours of devouring rotting carrion, then a deep clean might be useful 👇
🧼 Deep cleaning: Soapy water [Level 3]
Glasses accumulate dirt. And after a while, no matter what you do, they always look dirty even after a wipe with a microfiber cloth. In the end, you're just smearing the dirt around.
In this case, using soapy water is a simple and effective solution to clean them.
- Wash your hands
- Rinse your glasses under lukewarm water
- Add a drop of dish soap to each lens
- Spread the liquid by "massaging" the sunglasses
- Rinse with lukewarm water
- Dry with your microfiber cloth.
To ensure there are no streaks, check the condition of your lenses under a light. Do not scrub at stubborn stains; simply repeat the process.
👨⚕️ The optician for a deep clean
If you want to perform a deep clean of your sunglasses, one possible solution is to see a professional (it’s a bit excessive, but if you’re craving social interaction, why not?)! Beyond great conversation, opticians are indeed equipped with an ultrasonic cleaner that will effectively clean all types of glasses and lenses.
This cleaning involves immersing the glasses in a tank of water and letting the ultrasound act. These will actually dislodge dirt, even from the tightest corners.
Another advantage when you entrust your glasses to an optician is that they usually take the opportunity to inspect the overall condition of your glasses.
They can detect potential problems such as loose screws, necessary adjustments, or minor damage. This allows you to take appropriate measures to preserve the lifespan of your glasses.
PS: If you're the flashy type, these kinds of machines are available for purchase and will impress your frien... no, I’m kidding, you won’t impress anyone, but they are still very cool.
What you MUST NOT do when cleaning your sunglasses
When it comes to cleaning your sunglasses, it is important to know which practices to avoid entirely. Here are some tips on what not to do:
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❌ Avoid dry cleaning: Using a dry cloth to wipe your glasses might seem convenient, but it can damage the lenses. The dust and dirt particles present may scratch the surface when you rub them with a dry cloth. It is therefore better to use wet cleaning methods.
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🚿 Avoid water that is too hot: Although lukewarm water is generally recommended for cleaning your glasses, hot water should be avoided. Hot water can damage the coating applied to the lenses and frames, such as anti-reflective or hydrophobic coatings. Always prioritize lukewarm water.
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🧻 Do not use tissues, paper towels, or t-shirts: When cleaning your sunglasses, avoid using inappropriate materials such as paper tissues, paper towels, or even your t-shirt. These materials can contain rough fibers or particles that risk scratching your lenses. Use a microfiber cloth specifically designed for cleaning glasses instead.
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🧴 Avoid household cleaning products—they are too harsh: It is tempting to use household products like multi-purpose cleaners or alcohol-based products to clean your glasses. However, these products can be too harsh and damage the treatments applied to the lenses, as well as the frames. Therefore, avoid using these products and opt for gentle solutions specifically designed for glasses.
Cleaning sunglasses with special lenses
🕶 Cleaning your polarized glasses
Sunglasses with polarized lenses allow us to protect our eyes well from sunlight reflecting sneakily off certain surfaces like water or snow. Their effectiveness is such that they are used for many sports activities such as water sports or winter sports.
As such, polarized sunglasses are more likely to be put to the test than classic sunglasses.
However, cleaning them is not necessarily more complicated, but precautions must be taken in certain situations:
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If your polarized sunglasses have been in contact with saltwater, rinse them as soon as possible with fresh lukewarm water. Salt or sand can indeed scratch and wear out sunglass lenses.
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High-performance sportswear often uses anti-odor materials that contain silver. These materials are often abrasive to sunglass lenses; always keep them in their case.
For everything else, standard maintenance will do.
👓 Cleaning your sunglasses with anti-reflective treatment
Glasses with an anti-reflective treatment have the characteristic of making dirt even more visible on the lenses. Consequently, we tend to clean them more frequently than the average.
Another important note: the slightest scratch can ruin the anti-reflective coating on the lens! You must therefore handle and clean your glasses with care. To learn more about the care required for anti-reflective glasses, rediscover our dedicated article.
To summarize briefly, the technique of washing glasses in lukewarm water with a bit of dish soap will work perfectly for weekly or monthly maintenance. Don't forget to dry them with the microfiber cloth.
To finish: prescription glasses or sunglasses, same fight!
Like prescription glasses, sunglasses need care to maintain comfortable vision during the beautiful summer days ahead. Keep your case nearby to store your glasses when you are not using them.
After each use, don't forget to wipe them down with a microfiber cloth or specialized cleaning wipes. You can even whip up your own cleaning product with simple ingredients: water and a few drops of soap or dish liquid!
With that, say goodbye to dirt, smudges, and other not-so-appetizing things that you see right in front of your nose!
