Fingerprints, sunscreen, salt, dust: in summer, sunglasses get dirty very quickly. However, the reflex of rubbing them on a t-shirt is one of the leading causes of micro-scratches.
Cleaning your sunglasses properly takes less than a minute. You just need the right technique, the right cloth, and to avoid a few mistakes. Here is the complete method to keep your lenses clear and your frames in good condition, season after season.
Why it is important to clean your sunglasses properly
- Visual comfort decreases. Smudges and greasy films diffuse light and tire the eyes, especially when driving or facing the sun.
- Lens treatments wear out faster. Coatings (mirror effect, polarization, anti-reflective, depending on the model) do not handle dry rubbing or harsh products well.
- Particles scratch. A grain of sand rubbed against a lens acts like sandpaper.
- The frame gets damaged. Sweat, sunscreen, and salt eventually tarnish finishes and clog the hinges.
Proper maintenance of sunglasses helps keep them pleasant to wear for much longer.
The step-by-step method for cleaning your sunglasses
Step 1: Wash your hands
Greasy hands or hands covered in sunscreen will immediately dirty the lenses you just cleaned. Use soap without moisturizing lotion.
Step 2: Rinse the glasses with lukewarm water
Run the frame and lenses under a stream of lukewarm, not hot, water. This removes dust and sand before any contact. This is the step that provides the most protection against scratches.
Step 3: Apply a drop of mild soap
Put a small drop of mild dish soap (without moisturizing agents or abrasive additives) on your fingertips. Gently rub both sides of the lenses, then the frame, the nose pads, and the temples.
Step 4: Rinse thoroughly
Rinse well to remove all soap. Otherwise, streaks will remain as they dry.
Step 5: Shake and pat dry
Shake gently to remove the drops. Then dry with a clean microfiber cloth, patting rather than rubbing hard.
Step 6: Check against light
Look at the lenses against a light source. If any marks remain, wipe with the cloth using small circular motions, without pressing.
Out and about? If no water is available, blow on the lenses first to remove particles, then use a special lens wipe or a suitable spray with your microfiber cloth.
Which cloth should you use for your glasses?
Microfiber is the standard: its very fine fibers capture grease and dust without scratching.
| Material | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Clean microfiber cloth | ✅ Recommended | Soft, effective on grease, lint-free |
| Special lens wipe | ✅ Convenient when traveling | Pre-moistened, single-use |
| T-shirt, shirt | ❌ To be avoided | Rougher fibers, embedded dust |
| Tissue, toilet paper, paper towel | ❌ To be avoided | Abrasive wood fibers, leave lint |
| Bath towel | ❌ To be avoided | Often laden with sand or laundry detergent residue |
Good to know: a dirty microfiber cloth also becomes abrasive. Wash it regularly by hand with a little soap, without fabric softener, and let it air dry.
Certain CATERSIDE models, such as the Signature round sunglasses, come with a protective case and a microfiber cloth.
Should you use water to clean your glasses?
Yes, and it is actually the best foundation. Lukewarm water rinses away particles before they can be rubbed against the lens.
- No hot water. High heat can damage lens coatings and weaken certain frames.
- Watch out for very hard water. It can leave white streaks: dry quickly.
- After the beach or pool, rinse with clear water as soon as possible. Salt and chlorine are harsh on both lenses and finishes.
- Wooden frame: limit the time of contact with water (see below).
Which products to avoid for cleaning your eyeglass lenses?
| To be avoided | Risk |
|---|---|
| Pure alcohol, acetone, solvent | Attacks coatings and certain frame materials |
| Vinegar, glass cleaner (ammonia) | Too harsh for treatments |
| Bleach, powerful detergents | Deteriorates lenses and finishes |
| Saliva | Unsanitary, leaves a film |
| "Soft hands" dish soap | Moisturizing agents leave greasy streaks |
| Abrasive powders or creams | Scratches guaranteed |
What cleaning product should you choose? A special lens spray sold in optical stores, or simply lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap. This is sufficient in the vast majority of cases.
How to avoid micro-scratches on your sunglasses?
Once a lens is scratched, there is no real home remedy to fix it. Hacks using toothpaste or baking soda are abrasive: they can remove the treatment and make the problem worse. It is better to prevent:
- Never rub a dusty lens while dry. Rinse or blow off first.
- Never place glasses lenses-down on a surface (table, sand, dashboard).
- Always store them in a case, never loose in a bag with keys or coins.
- Avoid tucking them into your hair: the lenses come into contact with styling products and the temples become deformed.
- Keep a clean cloth: a dirty cloth does more damage than cleaning.
If your lenses are heavily scratched and interfere with your vision, the safest thing is to change the pair.
How to clean the frame of your sunglasses?
Sweat, makeup, and sunscreen accumulate on the frame, especially around the nose pads and hinges.
General method
The same method as for the lenses: lukewarm water, a drop of mild soap, your fingers, then rinse and dry. For the hinges, a very soft toothbrush reserved for this purpose works well, provided you never use it on the lenses.
According to the material
- Polycarbonate: soapy water is enough. This is the case for the square polarized mirrored sunglasses, whose mirror lenses require a gentle touch.
- TR90: lightweight and flexible material, which is easily maintained with lukewarm soapy water. See the retro polarized TR90 sunglasses.
- Acetate: avoid alcohol and solvents, which can dull the material, for example on the retro polarized sunglasses with acetate temples.
- Wood: do not let them soak. Clean the temples with a barely damp cloth, then dry immediately, as for the vintage polarized wooden-temple sunglasses.
- Metal and gold finishes: dry well after rinsing and avoid harsh products that dull the finishes.
- Rimless: since the edges of the lenses are exposed, handle them by the temples and always store them in a case.
How often should you clean your sunglasses?
| Situation | Recommended frequency |
|---|---|
| Daily city use | Quick wipe with microfiber if needed, complete cleaning a few times a week |
| Beach, pool, sunscreen | Rinse with clear water the same day |
| Sports, heavy perspiration | Clean the frame and nose pads after every session |
| Before storing for the season | Complete cleaning, careful drying, store in a case |
The most common mistakes
- Wiping your lenses with your t-shirt. It is the #1 cause of scratches on sunglasses.
- Rubbing without rinsing. Sand and dust scratch the lens.
- Using paper towels or a tissue. Their fibers are abrasive.
- Cleaning with alcohol or glass cleaner.
- Leaving your glasses in a car in direct sunlight. Heat can deform certain frames and damage coatings.
- Placing them lenses-down.
- Storing them without a case.
- Never washing your microfiber cloth.
- Taking them off with one hand. This loosens the hinges and deforms the temples.
Tips to make your sunglasses last longer
- A hard case for bags and travel, a soft pouch for your pocket.
- Remove them with two hands, holding them by the temples.
- Rinse them after every swim, in the sea or the pool.
- Apply sunscreen before putting on your glasses.
- Keep them away from heat sources: dashboard, radiator, hot sand.
- Have the hinges tightened at an optician if the temples become loose.
- Choose a pair adapted to your use. For driving or the beach, polarized lenses reduce glare. Our guide on polarized glasses explains the differences.
A well-chosen and well-maintained pair will accompany you for several seasons. If yours is already too scratched, discover our CATERSIDE sunglasses collection, with UV400 protection models, polarized or non-polarized depending on the reference.
FAQ: cleaning your sunglasses
How to clean your sunglasses without scratching them?
Rinse them first with lukewarm water to remove particles. Clean with a drop of mild soap, rinse, then dry by patting with a clean microfiber cloth. Never rub a dusty lens while dry.
Can you clean your sunglasses with alcohol?
It is not recommended. Pure alcohol can damage lens treatments and certain materials like acetate. Prefer a special lens spray or soapy water.
Can you remove scratches from sunglasses?
Not reliably. Home hacks (toothpaste, baking soda) are abrasive and can remove the lens coating. If the scratches interfere with vision, it is better to replace the pair.
Which cloth should you use to clean your glasses?
A clean microfiber cloth, washed regularly without fabric softener. Avoid clothing, tissues, and paper towels.
Is dish soap suitable for cleaning eyeglass lenses?
Yes, if it is mild and without moisturizing agents. A single drop is enough, followed by a complete rinse.
How to clean polarized glasses?
Like the others: lukewarm water, mild soap, microfiber. Be particularly gentle and avoid harsh products, which can alter the treatment.
Should you clean your glasses after the beach?
Yes, the same day. Rinse with clear water to remove salt, sand, and sunscreen before wiping.
Want a pair that will last you several seasons? Discover the CATERSIDE sunglasses collection, and consult our guide to choosing sunglasses to find the shape that suits you.
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