How to Clean Your Glasses Without Scratching Them

Dry wiping glasses with a shirt, sleeve, or paper towel scratches lens coatings. The correct method is to rinse the lenses with lukewarm water first, add one small drop of lotion-free dish soap, work it in gently with fingertips, rinse again, and dry with a clean microfiber cloth — about 30 seconds.

Full video transcript

Let me ask you something — do you clean your glasses with your shirt? Your sleeve? A paper towel? If the answer is yes, I want to show you something.

Hold your lenses up to the light after a shirt-cleaning. Those fine circular scratches you see? Those aren't from wear. Those are from cleaning. Fabric and paper fibers are abrasive enough to damage lens coatings over time — especially anti-reflective coatings.

Here's the right way. Rinse your glasses under lukewarm water first. That removes any particles that would scratch when you wipe. Then add one tiny drop of dish soap — the kind without lotion — and work it in gently with your fingertips. Rinse again. Then dry with a clean microfiber cloth.

That's it. Takes 30 seconds. Your lenses will stay clearer, longer.

Prescription lenses are an investment. Cleaning them right is the easiest way to protect that investment.

Educational information

This page provides general educational information and does not replace an eye examination or advice from your optometrist.