What should you not wipe your glasses with?

Author: Mossie Rempel PhD  |  Last update: Wednesday, June 3, 2026

It's very important not to wipe your glasses down with any type of paper product, including tissues, paper towels or napkins. Regardless of how soft these materials may feel, they can easily scratch the lenses on your glasses. Use a lens cloth instead.

What can I use instead of a microfiber cloth for glasses?

If you don't have a micro-fiber cloth on hand, you can use a clean, lint-free cotton cloth to dry your lenses. There's no need for vigorous rubbing; simply let the cloth make contact with the lens surface, and it will naturally absorb the water drops.

Is Dawn dish soap safe for eyeglasses?

Yes. Dawn works great for glasses and any glass or mirrors. You only need a pearl size drop. Lather with water and rinse under faucet. Sparkling clean.

How not to clean eyeglasses?

Don't use any cleaning products other than dishwashing liquid or glasses cleaning solution to clean your glasses. Products such as acetone, alcohol, and household glass cleaners can damage lens coatings. Don't use your own saliva, either. That won't clean your lenses, it'll just add more germs!

What is the best thing to clean glasses with?

Use warm, soapy water and a soft cloth to gently wipe down your frames. Be sure to always hold your glasses on the side of the frames while you're cleaning, as this can help you to avoid warping or bending your frames. It's best to use a gentle dish soap or hand wash to make sure you don't damage your glasses.

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Can you wipe glasses with a paper towel?

It's very important not to wipe your glasses down with any type of paper product, including tissues, paper towels or napkins. Regardless of how soft these materials may feel, they can easily scratch the lenses on your glasses. Use a lens cloth instead.

Can I use Windex on my glasses?

However, it is important that you never use Windex to clean your eyeglasses. Windex is a harsh chemical that can permanently damage eyeglass lenses and any special coating they may have on them. Windex may also damage or strip the frames of their plating.

What is the best soap to clean eye glasses with?

To clean your glasses, there are two effective ways. The first, like the previous two, can be done by using dish soap and warm water. Be sure to use water that is lukewarm or warm rather than extremely hot or cold. It's also important to use dish soap that is free of lotion.

Can I use alcohol wipes to clean my glasses?

A: No. Alcohol is too aggressive and will potentially ruin the frames. Instead, pass your glasses under tepid water to remove dust particles and leave them out to dry. Once dry, spray them with a dedicated glasses cleaning spray and wipe them down with a microfiber cloth.

What is the best cloth to clean eyeglasses with?

Microfiber cloths are your best bet for effective and damage-free cleaning and drying. But a dirty one can exacerbate your grime, not alleviate it, so treat your eyeglass-cleaning cloths like reusable handkerchiefs and wash them often.

What is a good substitute for microfiber cloths?

Organic cotton cloths are an excellent alternative to microfiber cloths, offering similar absorbency and cleaning power without the environmental concerns. Made from sustainably grown cotton without the use of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, organic cotton cloths are biodegradable and gentler on the environment.

Can I use Clorox wipes on my glasses?

It's important to first mention cleaners and disinfectants that can ruin lens coatings and frame materials. It's best to stay away from cleaners that contain ammonia, bleach, vinegars, acetone, Lysol or Clorox wipes, and abrasive materials like paper towels.

What is the best homemade eyeglass cleaner?

Fill a spray bottle (any size will work) ¾ of the way with rubbing alcohol. Add two drops of liquid dish soap to the rubbing alcohol. Fill the rest of the spray bottle with water and shake it gently. Do a test spray of the cleaning solution to make sure there are no bubbles in the liquid once it's sprayed.

How often should I wipe my eyeglasses?

Eyeglasses should be cleaned regularly, ideally once a day, but every one to two days will suffice. When cleaning your eyeglasses, you should be careful to use products that won't damage the glasses. Use warm water, a small drop of dish detergent, and a cotton or microfiber cloth.

What's the best thing to clean glass?

Distilled vinegar and hot water

A true tried and tested method, distilled vinegar and hot water has proven to be one of the most successful methods to clean your windows. Since vinegar has an acidic composition, it's quick in breaking down the thin film of grime that collects on the glass' surface.

Can I use Dawn dish soap to clean my glasses?

You can also opt to use a thicker, mild dish soap; just mix one-part water with one-part dish soap. Just be sure to rub gently and not for too long, so that you don't reduce any special coatings. Avoid dish soaps that contain lanolin and oils for skin softening. These soaps can smear your lenses—even permanently.

What is the mildest dishwashing liquid?

Dawn dish soap is by and large the best of the mild detergents to use.

Why are my glasses still dirty after cleaning them?

Leftover soap residue can cause streaks and smudges on your glasses lenses once they're dry. Streaks on your lenses could obscure your vision, so it's best to make sure you rinse the soap from your lenses properly for a streak-free finish.

What not to do when cleaning glasses?

Don't use towels that could have particles or chemicals on them from the washer or dryer. Never use harsh or acidic products, such as glass cleaner, vinegar, lemon, or other cleaning products. Never try to buff out a scratch, as doing so will only make it worse. Don't rub the lenses with clothing.

Is joy dish soap safe for glasses?

Instead, the proper way to cleanse is to rinse the eyewear in lukewarm water, then take dishwashing liquid (Dawn, Joy, etc.) and pour a small one-inch strip in the crease of your index and middle fingers and work up into a lather. Massage this soapy solution onto the frame, lenses, nose pads, etc.

What is the best way to clean drinking glasses?

Use a soft cloth, warm water and a mild washing-up liquid to clean your glasses. Then dry them carefully and polish if necessary.

What is the best thing to wipe your glasses with?

Microfiber cleaning cloths are ideal for cleaning glasses. These cloths dry the lenses very effectively and trap oils to avoid smearing. But because they trap debris so effectively, make sure you clean the cloths frequently.

Is it better to clean glass with paper towels or cloth?

Choose lint-free

Microfiber or other lint-free towels won't leave behind little specks on glass surfaces. Newspaper or old, clean cotton diapers are other great options.

Is toilet paper OK to clean glasses?

Avoid using paper towels, tissues or toilet paper to clean your lenses when you clean glasses. The wood pulp in paper towels and tissues can scratch your lenses or leave them full of lint.

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