How to Clean Your Glasses Based on Their Material?

Whether it’s for seeing clearly, being seen, or hiding from the gaze of others, many of us wear glasses. And when they’re spotless, it’s a bit like seeing life in high definition. So, it’s essential to know how to clean them to ensure clear vision and offer them optimal longevity. In this article, we’ll provide you with some tips on how to do so.

Basic glasses cleaning

Before delving into material-specific cleaning details, here are some basic cleaning steps you should always follow:

Have clean hands: Obviously, before touching your glasses, make sure your hands are clean. Dirty or greasy hands can transfer additional dirt onto your lenses.
Dust off your glasses by blowing on them: Blow firmly on your glasses to remove dust and dirt particles.
Degrease your lenses with a specially designed spray: Avoid using water or detergent, as this can alter the surface treatments of the lenses and dry out or oxidize the frame. To pamper your lenses, L’Ingénieur Chevallier offers a maintenance product (in a refillable bottle) developed specifically with Essilor and Zeiss. Beware of low-quality products, and avoid putting them on your frames, as they could damage your equipment.
Clean the lenses with a microfiber cloth: Use a clean and dry microfiber cloth (don’t hesitate to shake it firmly beforehand to remove any dust) to gently rub the lenses in circular motions.

N.B.: Regularly change the cloth because after one or two washes, they become slightly abrasive and can micro-scratch the lenses, making them porous and therefore more difficult to clean.

How to clean acetate glasses?

Among the most popular, cellulose acetate frames are quite durable, and they’re the only ones you can occasionally wash with water and soap. However, absolutely avoid using ammonia-based alcohol or products containing acetone, as they can damage the material.

Use lukewarm (neither hot nor cold) and preferably demineralized water, along with a drop of mild soap, ideal for degreasing both the lenses and the frame.
If necessary, gently rub with a microfiber cloth to remove stubborn dirt.
Rinse to remove any soap residue, then gently dry them with another clean microfiber cloth.

How to clean metal glasses?

Metal frames are durable, but they can be sensitive to scratches. To clean them:

Avoid using abrasive cleaners or scrub pads, as they can scratch the frame, not to mention the lenses!
Use a clean and slightly damp microfiber cloth to wipe your metal frame.
For hard-to-reach areas, use a soft-bristled brush or a cotton swab.
For a thorough cleaning, visit the Ingénieurs as your glasses need to be disassembled. They’ll also revise the nose pads, tighten the screws… In short, give them a makeover.

How to clean buffalo horn glasses?

Frames made of natural materials absolutely dislike water! And even less soap or chemicals… To clean your buffalo horn glasses, nothing could be simpler:

Steam (by exhaling slowly on your lenses)
Impeccable microfiber (previously shaken, not excessively used or washed)
Elbow grease (gently rub the lenses in circular motions) And don’t hesitate to drop them off occasionally (every one to two years, depending on the acidity of your skin) to our Ingénieurs so they can rehydrate them by giving them a good oil bath and a polish.

Lenses and Their Treatments:

Lenses and the treatments applied to them require special attention to avoid scratches and damage. Here are some maintenance tips:

Avoid using low-quality lens cleaning sprays filled with chemicals, as they eventually alter surface treatments and damage the frame. Prefer products developed in collaboration with glassmakers.
Avoid using paper tissues, towels, shirt or scarf edges… which can scratch the surface of your lenses. Use only an absolutely clean microfiber cloth (keep it well protected from dust, never leave it lying around in a bag or on a table).
If your lenses are very dusty, have fallen into sand or other abrasive materials, remove the abrasive particles using a can of compressed air or by briefly rinsing them under water before cleaning.

Stubborn Dirt:

If your glasses are subjected to greasy substances or other stubborn substances, don’t hesitate to consult us. The Ingénieurs can give them a good ultrasonic bath or provide any other treatment to restore their original shine. In conclusion, cleaning your glasses is essential to ensure clear vision, so take care of them, and they will take care of you.

By the way, you can also check out our article “How to Repair Your Glasses?” or simply visit L’Ingénieur Chevallier. If you feel like changing your glasses instead, expert choices, exclusives, and expert advice await you at Pyramides and Vertbois.