Clean Glasses with Anti Reflective Coating can be a bit of a challenge. While the coating helps to reduce glare and improve vision, it can also be prone to smudging and scratches. Improper cleaning techniques can also damage the coating and impact its effectiveness.
Therefore, it’s important to know how to clean glasses with an anti-reflective coating properly. I
But this might lead you to another conundrum: how would you clean them now?
Will water and soap do the trick? What about baking soda? Toothpaste?
Unsurprisingly, it’s a big NO to all of these DIY hacks because:
- the coating/s can react to the foreign chemicals
- there’s a higher chance of the coating/s getting washed off each time you clean them
- the coating/s might wear off and allow the lenses to get damaged
But wait, we have something that WILL work for you and your glasses!
Now, here’s how you clean your glasses PROPERLY despite their coatings; specifically, the anti-reflective coating:
Wash Your Hands
Seriously, this is the most fundamental rule in almost everything a person does.
Although each one has a different context, the same reason can be applied to why you should wash your hands before doing anything:
To keep any dirt or bacteria away and out of reach and in this case, away from the lenses.
So, once you’ve dried your hands, let’s move on to the next one.
Prepare Your Equipment to Clean Glasses with Anti Reflective Coating
What you’ll need for this cleaning session is your eyeglass cleaning solution or a bottle of dishwashing liquid and a microfiber cloth.
Make sure your cleaning solution is stated to be compatible with an anti-reflective coating!
And another thing: if you’re using dishwashing liquid, it better be lotion-free!
Rinse First
Now that you’re all set and ready to go, rinse your glasses first.
This will make it easier for you to rub the solution in because the water washes away any dirt or dust you’ve accumulated on your lenses.
Not only that, but the water also serves as a lubricant that prevents any scratches from forming on your lenses while you clean them.
But whatever you do: don’t use hot water!
Sure, hot water might be a good idea to kill bacteria in some products, but this is not the time!
Because while dirt will be cleansed away for good, the hot water can also damage your lens coating!
Bring your glasses beneath a gentle stream of cool or lukewarm water, and wait for the dirt to wash away.
Add a Drop of Solution
Even a drop of your cleaning solution can be enough to do its job!
And with how concentrated dishwashing liquids tend to be, it’s for the best that you only use a minimal amount of it on your lenses.
Or, if you don’t trust your hands completely, you could drop some of it on your fingertips and have them touch your lenses instead!
Give It a Massage
Using your fingertips, pamper your glasses with a nice massage.
Make sure you get every part of it, not only your lenses!
Rub the solution on your nose pads and temples (since these get the brunt of your sweat and oil), and don’t forget to really get into the nook and crannies where the lenses meet the frame.
There’s bound to be a certain amount of gunk stuck in there that has been built up over time.
Then, once you’re content, rinse off any trace of solution with that gentle flow of water once more.
Dry It!
Don’t get into drying your glasses so quickly.
Even though your microfiber cloth is made to handle any smudges effectively, an abundance of water won’t cooperate so well with the cloth.
Lightly tap your glasses on your palm to shake off most of the water on it.
Once you’re done getting the water off, recheck them to see whether you’ve got the dirt off.
However, do it only for a brief moment, though, because any longer and your glasses might dry, which is not good.
Air-dried glasses mean you’ll get streaks staining your lenses which will straight-up ruin the entire cleaning session you just did.
Now, as soon as you’re done checking, you can dry your glasses using the microfiber cloth (or any kind of dish towel that’s lint-free).
Be sure that your cloth is as clean as the day you got them!
Unless you want to have scratches or smears littered across your lenses from retained substances and dirt, it would be best if you checked the cloth first before proceeding with the drying.
So, now that you’re done cleaning your glasses, what else can you do to maintain that cleanliness?
Maintenance for Lenses
Make It a Routine!
Just like brushing your teeth, cleaning your glasses make for a great habit to have.
Any chances of build-up from whatever dirt you’ll get in contact with will lessen each time you clean it up.
So, try to leave space in your schedule when you can just relax and give your glasses a thorough cleaning at your leisure!
Once a week would be ideal, but that’s bound to be pushing it, especially with how life can easily jam a curveball between your plans and ruin your usual day-to-day activities.
However, maybe once every two weeks would be more realistic because, honestly, who knows what the heck that can happen at this point, right?
In the end, you should still try your best to take care of your glasses.
Your glasses are almost a part of you, just like your teeth!
And just like any body part that needs proper care and attention, you need to provide the same to your lenses.
Strong Chemicals are a Strict No
If hot water’s already bad news for your glasses, imagine throwing strong chemicals into the mix!
You might have read some DIY hacks on the vast, vast internet that chemicals like alcohol or ammonia do “wonders” for your glasses, but you’re mistaken.
You’re really, really mistaken with that notion.
Strong chemicals being applied on the lens coating (which already has its own chemicals, mind you) is something you wouldn’t want to do unless you’re cool with your lenses deteriorating because of the chemical reaction.
It’s best if you play safe and go with the mildest substances out there (i.e. lotion-free dishwashing liquid) or the cleaning solution that’s recommended for your glasses.
This way, no pair of glasses will be harmed in its routine cleaning!
Final Thoughts
Cleaning one’s glasses plays a huge part in prolonging their great condition!
The way you clean your glasses can be both advantage and disadvantage to you. So, be vigilant while cleaning the glasses.
Sure, it’ll inevitably succumb to its wear through the years, but don’t you think those long, careful years are better than mere months of neglect?
If that argument is not convincing enough for you, please remember that purchasing a brand new pair of glasses with anti-reflective coating is bound to be expensive, so it’s in your best interest to take care of what you have now and make sure it lives a long life with you!
