Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Cleaning cloudy lenses
• Method 2 of 3: Make your own eyeglass cleaner
• Method 3 of 3: Prevent cloudy lenses
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities
• Cleaning cloudy lenses
• Make your own eyeglass cleaner

If your lenses are cloudy from dust, damage, and dirt, you probably won't be able to see much through them. There is very little you can do against scratching your lenses, but there are tricks you can use to efficiently clean your cloudy lenses without damaging them. With the right materials and knowledge of the right cleaning techniques, you will soon be able to see the blue sky again, while previously you only saw cloudy lenses.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Cleaning cloudy lenses

1. Buy a soft, clean cloth. In most cases, you will receive a special microfibre cloth for cleaning your lenses when you buy glasses from the optician, chemist or on the internet. This cloth is ideal for removing smudges and cloudy spots.
   • Buy a new soft and clean cloth if you have lost your microfiber cloth. Cotton should be suitable as long as the fabric is clean. It is important that you use fabric that has not been treated with fabric softener as this can cause streaks on your lenses.
   • Avoid using rough fabrics such as wool and certain synthetics, facial tissues and toilet paper, as these will eventually cause tiny scratches in your lenses.
2. Use eyeglass cleaner. Such a product is specially formulated to remove the dirt from your glasses without damaging the glasses and any protective layers on the glasses. Spray a moderate amount of cleaner on your lenses and wipe them with a soft, clean cloth.
   • Do not use saliva to clean your lenses. Saliva does not clean your glasses very well and is unsanitary.
3. Clean your glasses with warm water and washing-up liquid. If you don't have an eyeglass cleaner on hand, you can use warm water and a drop of dish soap to remove the dirt and get your lenses sparkling clean. Use your fingers to spread the soap over the surface of the glasses. Rinse the glasses with warm water and you're done.
4. Wipe your glasses with your soft cloth. After applying the lens cleaner, wipe your lenses dry with a soft cloth using gentle circular movements. Do not scrub the glasses as this can damage them over time.
5. Check for stubborn stains on your lenses. Depending on how dirty the lenses really are, you may need to reapply lens cleaner to get the lenses completely clean. After applying lens cleaner or warm water and dishwashing liquid to the lenses, wipe the lenses with a soft cloth.
6. Remove remnants of the nostrils. Grease and dust can build up in the cracks between the nostrils and the lenses, creating a cloudy film in the area near your nose. With a soft toothbrush, washing-up liquid and warm water you can remove this greasy layer of dirt. Just be careful not to scrub your glasses with the toothbrush.
   • Fill a tub or container with warm water and soap.
   • Dip a toothbrush into the mixture and stir it into the water.
   • Gently scrub the metal temples connecting the nostrils to the frame.
   • Stir the soap and water mixture with the toothbrush to rinse the dirt and dust off.
   • Rinse your glasses with warm water.
   • Check for dust and dirt on your glasses and keep scrubbing until your glasses are completely clean.

Method 2 of 3: Make your own eyeglass cleaner

1. Gather your supplies. A homemade lens cleaner won't damage the protective coating on your lenses like some other cleaners can, but it will remove all cloudy spots and smudges from your lenses. This is also a cheap alternative to store-bought eyeglass cleaner if the cleaner you normally use has run out or you have not received a new bottle from the optician. To make your own eyeglass cleaner you will need the following:
   • Dishwashing liquid
   • Isopropyl alcohol (or witch hazel)
   • Measuring cup
   • Microfiber cloth
   • Small atomizer
   • Water
2. Prepare your supplies. Clean the atomizer and measuring cup before mixing the lens cleaner. If there is dust in the atomizer and measuring cup, your homemade eyeglass cleaner can become contaminated with it. This is especially important if you are using an atomizer that you use for other purposes and that has previously contained other household cleaners.
3. Mix equal parts water and isopropyl alcohol. Now that your measuring cup and atomizer are clean, measure equal amounts of water and isopropyl alcohol and pour the liquids into the atomizer. Shake the spray bottle gently to mix the ingredients.
   • For example, you can mix 30 ml of water with 30 ml of isopropyl alcohol in the atomizer.
4. Add dish soap. For this recipe, you only need a very small amount of dish soap to get rid of the smudges on your lenses. Put a drop of dish soap in the water and isopropyl alcohol mixture. Cap the bottle and shake gently to mix the detergent with the other ingredients.
5. Apply glass cleaner to your lenses and wipe away the cloudy areas. Spray a moderate amount of lens cleaner on both lenses. Then wipe all the accumulated dirt from your glasses with the clean microfiber cloth.
   • If you don't have a microfiber cloth for glasses, you can use a clean piece of cotton.

Method 3 of 3: Prevent cloudy lenses

1. Always use a clean, soft cloth. The microfiber cloth that came with your glasses is ideal for cleaning your lenses, but even this cloth can get dirty over time. If you use a cloth with dust on it, you will eventually get small dents and scratches in your lenses, making them cloudy. To prevent this, only clean your lenses with a clean, soft cloth.
2. Protect your lens cloth from the elements. The more dust and dirt there is on your lens cloth, the more your lenses will be damaged in the long run. Every time you dry, wipe and polish your lenses, these particles scrape all over your lenses.
   • To keep your lens cloth as clean as possible, you can put it in a glasses case that you take with you during your day. You can also put the cloth in a plastic bag or something else and put it in your backpack or purse.
3. Wash the lens cloth. How you should clean the cloth depends on the type of cloth you are using. You can wash a soft cotton cloth in the normal way, but follow the instructions that you received with the cloth. In the case of a microfiber cloth, do the following:
   • Only wash the cloth with similar fabrics.
   • Put a small amount of liquid detergent in your washing machine. Do not use fabric softener, as it will stick to the cloth and can leave streaks on your lenses.
   • Set your washing machine on a cold wash program.
   • Place the microfiber cloth and similar fabrics in the washing machine.
   • Let the cloth air dry or use a tumble dryer on a low or cold setting.
4. Clean your lenses regularly. During your day, dust, dirt, and grease from your face and hands will usually get onto your glasses. By regularly cleaning your lenses with lens cleaner or warm water and a drop of washing-up liquid, you will have less problems with cloudy lenses during your day.
5. Keep your glasses in a glasses case when you are not wearing them. This way, dust does not collect on your lenses and your glasses cannot be damaged if they fall. Instead of putting your glasses on your bedside table at night, put them in your glasses case and put them on your bedside table. This also prevents your glasses from breaking and getting damaged when you are not wearing them and they fall.

Tips

• Many anti-reflective lenses have a protective layer that repels dust, oil and water. This means you don't have to clean your lenses as often.

Warnings

• Be careful when cleaning. The last thing you want is permanent scratches on your lenses, broken nostrils and a bent frame.

Necessities

Cleaning cloudy lenses

• Dishwashing liquid (optional)
• Glasses
• Glasses cleaner (optional)
• Microfiber cloth (or a clean, soft cloth)
• Toothbrush (optional)

Make your own eyeglass cleaner

• Dishwashing liquid
• Isopropyl alcohol (or witch hazel)
• Measuring cup
• Microfiber cloth (or a clean, soft cloth)
• Small atomizer
• Water