You’ve invested in a pair of beautifully designed Eye Leux glasses. The frames are perfect, and the lenses give you a crystal-clear view of the world. But after a few days, life happens. You’re hit with smudges, fingerprints, dust, and grease.
Your first instinct is to grab the corner of your shirt, a tissue, or a paper towel for a quick wipe.
Stop.
This is the single fastest way to permanently damage your lenses. Cleaning your glasses isn't just about getting a clear view; it's about preservation. The high-quality lenses in your Eye Leux frames are treated with advanced coatings like anti-reflective (AR) and blue light filters that are durable, but not indestructible. Using the wrong materials can strip these coatings and cover your lenses in a web of micro-scratches, turning your clear view into a blurry, hazy mess.
This guide will teach you the professional, definitive method for cleaning your eyewear. It’s the only method you will ever need to keep your glasses in pristine condition for as long as you own them.
The Golden Rule: What You Must NEVER Use
Before we get to the "how-to," let's cover the "how-not-to." These common items are the number one enemy of your glasses.
Your Shirt (or Scarf, Tie, or any Clothing) This is the most common mistake. You may think your soft cotton t-shirt is harmless, but it's not. Throughout the day, tiny particles of dust, grit, and debris get trapped in the fabric. When you wipe your lenses with your shirt, you are dragging those abrasive particles across the surface, acting like fine-grit sandpaper. This is the primary cause of micro-scratches.
Paper Towels, Tissues, or Napkins These products feel soft to your hands, but they are made from wood pulp. On a microscopic level, this paper is abrasive and rough. It will not only fail to remove oils (it just smears them) but will actively scratch your lenses and can even strip the coatings.
Household Glass & Surface Cleaners (Windex, etc.) This is an absolute "no." These powerful cleaners contain harsh chemicals like ammonia, bleach, or alcohol. While they work wonders on a glass window, they will chemically strip the protective anti-reflective and anti-scratch coatings right off your lenses, causing them to peel, bubble, or crack. Once this damage is done, it is irreversible.
Hot Water You should never use hot water to clean your glasses. The high temperature can damage the lens coatings by causing them to expand and contract at a different rate than the lens itself, leading to a "crazed" or cracked appearance. Hot water can also warp acetate frames, ruining the custom fit.
Exhaling on Your Lenses (The "Hhhaa" Method) Exhaling on your lenses to "fog them up" before wiping does not add moisture. It just moves the oils and grease around your lens and does nothing to remove the abrasive dust particles you're about to grind into the surface with your cloth.
The Best Method: The Professional 2-Step Process
This is the method opticians and optical labs use. It's safe, effective, and takes less than 60 seconds. You can do this daily, or whenever your glasses need a deep clean.
Step 1: The Wash (For Removing Debris and Oil)
The goal of this step is to lift and remove all grime, oil, and abrasive particles before you ever wipe the lens.
- Start with a Rinse: Go to a sink and turn on the tap. Use a gentle stream of lukewarm water not hot. Rinse both sides of your lenses thoroughly. This will wash away any dust, salt, or grit that could cause a scratch.
- Apply One Tiny Drop of Soap: You only need a single, small drop of a lotion-free dish soap (a classic, basic Dawn or Fairy liquid is perfect). It's crucial that the soap is free of lotions, hand-sanitizers, or moisturizers, as these will leave a greasy film.
- Lather Gently: Using just your fingers, gently lather the soap on both sides of the lenses. Don't forget the frame! Gently rub the nose pads, the bridge, and the temple arms, especially the parts that rest on your nose and behind your ears. This is where skin oils, makeup, and hair products build up.
- Rinse Completely: Rinse the glasses under the lukewarm stream until every trace of soap is gone. If you don't rinse properly, the soap residue will leave streaks.
- Shake Gently: Give the glasses a gentle shake to remove the excess water from the surface.
Step 2: The Dry & Polish (For a Streak-Free Shine)
Now that the abrasive debris is gone, it is safe to dry the lenses.
- Use the Right Tool: The only thing you should use to dry your lenses is a clean, dry, premium microfiber cloth. Every pair of Eye Leux glasses comes with one. This is the only material designed to wipe a lens. The ultra-fine fibers are specifically made to trap and lift any remaining oil and water droplets without being abrasive.
- How to Dry: Start by gently patting the lenses and frame with the cloth to absorb the majority of the water. Do not scrub.
- How to Polish: Once damp, gently polish the lenses in a small, circular motion. Inspect the lens under a light to ensure there are no streaks.
- Keep Your Cloth Clean: This is a step most people forget. A dirty microfiber cloth is just as bad as a dirty t-shirt. Wash your cloth regularly (at least once a week if you use it daily). You can hand-wash it with a drop of that same lotion-free dish soap or put it in the washing machine. Crucially: Do not use fabric softener. Fabric softener will clog the micro-fibers and leave a waxy, streaky residue on your lenses the next time you use it. Let it air dry.
On-the-Go Cleaning: The Safe Alternative
What if you're at work, in your car, or out to dinner and get a smudge?
Option 1 (Best): Lens Cleaning Spray The safest on-the-go method is to use a bottle of professional lens cleaning spray that is specifically marked as "safe for AR-coatings." These sprays are alcohol-free and designed to dissolve smudges quickly. Always spray the lens, not the cloth, and then wipe with your clean microfiber cloth.
Option 2 (Good): Pre-Moistened Lens Wipes These are a convenient alternative. Look for wipes that are individually packaged and state they are alcohol-free and safe for coated lenses.
Option 3 (In a Pinch): Microfiber Cloth Only If you just have a minor fingerprint and you are certain there is no dust or grit on the lens, you can use your clean microfiber cloth to gently buff out the smudge. But if your glasses are visibly dusty or dirty, do not do this. You risk dragging the dust and scratching the lens. Wait until you can get to a sink.
Taking 60 seconds to clean your Eye Leux glasses the right way is the most important thing you can in to protect your investment. A clear, well-maintained lens is essential for your vision, and a clean, cared-for frame ensures your style is always on point.
[Shop Eye Leux Lens Cleaning Kits] | [Explore Our New Arrivals]
