The Best Way to Clean Sunglasses

When you have a favorite stylish pair of sunglasses, you want to wear them all the time. They ride along in your pocket, bag, or glove compartment until you have an opportunity to bask in the sun. A sunny drive, a day at the beach, or just an afternoon out with friends are all perfect excuses to flash your favorite sunnies. But all that action is bound to leave them with a few smudges.

Road dust, finger oils, or splashes from your latest swimming adventure can all leave your sunglasses less than pristinely clean. The question is: What is the best way to clean sunglasses to protect those perfect lenses and ensure your frames always look stunning? There are a lot of myths and practices that aren't actually good for your lenses, so it's important to know the right way to clean your shades.

What You Need:

Always start by gathering your supplies. A few essentials at home, at work, and in your travel gear can help you keep your sunglasses spotlessly clean at all times. You don't need all of the following supplies at once, just aim to have one or two on-hand everywhere you go.

• Microfiber cloths
• Lens cleaner spray
• Gentle dish soap
• Warm Water
• A soft t-shirt
• Moist Lens Wipes
  

How to Clean Sunglasses

There are three primary ways to clean your sunglasses safely so that the lenses are spotless and you avoid damaging the delicate lens coatings that make your shades so comfortable to wear. The first is with lens cleaner and a microfiber cloth. But if you don't have your lens cleaning kit, you can use the second method of gentle dish soap and a soft, clean t-shirt. You can also pack a few lens wipes for emergencies and quick sunglasses cleaning on the go.

With Lens Cleaner

The best way to clean sunglasses is with a lens cleaner spray and a microfiber cloth. Lens cleaner spray is lightly alcohol based, making it easy to strip finger oils and other grime from the surface of your lenses without leaving streaks or damaging the coating. Lens cleaner spray is also designed to evaporate quickly and cleanly to avoid the risk of water spots.

Spray both sides of each lens with your lens cleaner, then gently polish them clean with a microfiber cloth. The nice thing about microfiber cloths is that they never become rough and do not leave behind lint. Most shades and glasses come with one, but you can also buy them in packs.

With Gentle Dish Soap

The second best way to clean sunglasses is with gentle dishsoap and warm - but not hot - water. This method is ideal if you don't have lens cleaner or if your sunglasses are more than just smudged. Let's say your shades were dropped at the beach and are still a bit gritty. You'll want to give your whole shades set a gentle bath.

Start by rinsing the entire frame. Put a little dish soap into your hand and softly suds up the earpieces and frames. Be sure to wash away any grit or grime that may have gotten on your sunglasses during your last adventure. Then rinse the lenses and gently rub them with soapy fingers until you don't feel any grit underneath and all the smudges are gone.

If you can, dry your shades with a microfiber cloth. If you don't have a microfiber cloth, the hem of a clean, soft t-shirt will do. However, do not use a towel, as terrycloth is slightly rough.

With Lens Wipes

You can also clean your sunglasses using lens wipes. These are special little pre-moistened wipes in rip-open packs, much like hand-wipes at a restaurant. Lens wipes unfold to provide a lint-free disposable square that is already soaked in lens cleaning solution. 

Fold the wipe around each lens and gently clean in circles until the smudges are gone.

Do's and Don'ts of Cleaning Sunglasses

In addition to knowing the best ways to clean sunglasses, it can also be helpful to know the most important 'dos' and 'don'ts' of sunglasses cleaning so you can improvise when necessary and avoid obvious mistakes.

• Do clean the frames first, if the frames are dirty.
• Don't use harsh chemical cleaners like ammonia or bleach, as these could strip the coating from your shades.
• Do keep microfiber cloths around for quick smudge treatment
• Don't clean  your sunglasses with a rough or linty type of fabric
• Do keep lens cleaning supplies in your travel bag
• Don't wipe your lenses on your shirt without cleaning solution and a clean cloth
• Do clean your sunglasses before every drive, when you rely on their clarity
• Don't leave your sunglasses outside their case in the glove compartment
• Do get a few pairs of your favorite sunglasses
• Don't leave home without clean and comfortable eye protection
  
  

Taking Care of Your Favorite Pair of Shades

A favorite pair of sunglasses can be a wonderful thing to have. Perhaps you love the way they frame your face or you adore the stylish look they help you achieve. Maybe they are the most comfortable pair of shades you have ever worn and you never want to take them off. One thing is for certain: When you absolutely love a pair of sunglasses, you're going to need to clean them on a regular basis.

Using these techniques, your favorite sunglasses should give you years of great style and sun-protecting performance.

Find Your Best Sunnies at PopShady

Of course, you don't have to stop at just one. Each PopShady pair of sunglasses comes with a cleaning cloth in the case so you can keep it pristine.

If you found your favorite pair of sunglasses here at PopShady, you can find another that you love just as much. Explore tons of fun styles and advanced lens coatings to discover the best possible combination for the new season, or buy an identical pair to your current favorites.

When you know the best way to clean sunglasses, swapping between two or three high-quality pairs will keep each one in perfect condition. Discover your next best pair of sunnies at PopShady.