Lens manufacturers say that anything other than a microfiber cloth will damage the coatings on a lens. But microfiber cloths eventually pick up crap and they look like they’re a pain to wash.
How do you keep your lenses clean? Are you using cloth/kleenex or microfiber cloths? If you use microfiber cloths, how do you clean those?
I have 950 microfiber cloths around the house, although I can never find them so I just use my t-shirt.
Zeiss wipes.
I’ve never been without at least twenty microfiber cloths before.
I wear cotton t-shirts, so I have a drawer full of clean ones. I wash my glasses with foaming hand soap with my fingers, then dry with a shirt from the drawer. Not really had any problems, but I buy polycarbonate lenses with no coatings.
Cold tap, pocket handkerchief.
I bought so many microfiber cloths that when one gets too dirty, it goes to workshop duty and I get a new one for glasses.
For cleaning lenses properly (which I do once a week or so), I tend to use lint-free tissue (Kimwipes) and a mixture of 85% petroleum ether & 15% pure isopropanol; both of which should be available at your local hardware store. Bonus is that this is also appropriate for scientific optics, like microscope/camera lenses & instrumentation components (mirrors, prisms etcs) - just don’t rub them!
deleted by creator
I have been using tap water and dish soap for years to clean my glasses. Everything else leaves streaks.
It’s what professional window washers use. Just some Dawn dish soap and tap water. Because the dish soap will cut any kind of skin oils that may be present on the lens, the same way it cuts food grease.
That’s my go to as well.
I work in a lab, and while we carry lens cleaners, sometimes you don’t have time.
A little bit of 200 proof ethanol and some elbow grease is all it takes for a fresh pair of specs!
I use the ethanol and kimwipes to clean mine all the time lol they’re probably a little scratchy but better than my shirt. They’re just too convenient when they’re everywhere.
If anyone uses anti glare coatings, mine specifically say don’t use alcohol to clean them.
Sorry for the late reply. These are actually a cheap pair I forgot to add the anti-glare on in the purchase. These weren’t being used so they are my work glasses now.
Does anyone have experience with glasses with Oleophobic layers and work around fats/waxes/oils?
I use warm (not hot) water under pressure. Dry with a clean hand towel. Warning: don’t use towels that were fabric softened, fabric softener can leave some nasty, hard-to-remove streaks on the lenses.
I have a spray bottle with an isopropanol water mixture (around 10% isopropanol) and I just give my glasses a good spray and then wipe them with a clean microfiber kitchen cloth.
(I wash these cloths with just detergent powder, no softener or other additives, so they are grease-free out of the washer)
I rub them with my teeshirt
I just get new microfiber cloth every 6 months. They give these away for customers for free. They’re excellent for cleaning.
Yeah, I don’t know about every month but I always carry a microfiber cloth in my back pocket, and I’ll rotate them and just run through the wash if they’ve been in use for a bit.
I use a microfibre cloth my optometrist gave me along with the glasses. When it gets dirty I run it through the wash with my clothes. I have an anti-glare coating on my lenses, so I don’t use any chemicals, even just dish soap.
I use denim. My jeans get my glasses cleaner than anything else I’ve tried. I’m sure it’s not as good for them as a microfiber cloth, but it’s what I have on me. My wife has me clean hers, too.
Same as my laptop screen/keyboard - I use a dab of Dawn (or whatever brand I currently use) and a moist very soft sponge and dry with an old teatowel.
