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?

    • Trollivier@sh.itjust.works
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      1 year ago

      Same I don’t have to wear glasses anymore, but it’s was t-shirt all the way. And the occasional “I’ll pour water on the lenses to make them more clean”.

  • verdigris@lemmy.ml
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    1 year ago

    The actual way is to use dish soap under running warm water (not hot apparently, it can damage some coatings I’ve learned in this thread). First rinse the lenses under a stream without touching them, to wash away any loose debris (which is the reason why you should never use any sort of cloth to wipe them, they just move the debris around which causes scratches). Then use a bit of dish soap on your (clean) fingers to gently rub each lens, which will get rid of any grease or other smears. Then a final rinse – for this one it’s best if you use a very slow and even stream as it gives you the fewest water spots, but as long as you don’t have super hard water it’ll be moot in a few minutes.

    • SHOW_ME_YOUR_ASSHOLE@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      This is the way, but you’re right about hot water. I did damage a pair by accidentally using water that was too hot.

      This method minimizes scratching and it does a great job of removing grease (I sweat a lot) that a microfiber cloth would just spread around.

    • pelley@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Yep, and just give them a quick flick at the end to shake off any remaining droplets. Then they’ll dry quickly.

  • stormio@lemmy.ca
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    1 year ago

    I will never forget the time I saw my classmate clean his glasses by licking them. It wasn’t a small lick. The lenses were covered in his saliva afterwards. 🤮

    • James Kirk@startrek.website
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      1 year ago

      I do that sometimes. When the lenses have grease or salt from the beach, and I have no quick access to water, I’ll lick them. I don’t recommend it, but I do it.

    • pepsison52895@lemmy.one
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      1 year ago

      My mother did that so I ended up doing the same in elementary school. It took me a while, but I realized how disgusting it was and have been using cloths, or my shirt, for most of my life.

  • Bebo@literature.cafe
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    1 year ago

    I just clean the lenses of my glasses with my cotton t-shirt. I need to clean my glasses twice a day because they get foggy due to my oily skin and oily eyelashes. I have not noticed any scratches yet (I have been using these glasses for around 5-6 years). However, I use glass lenses and not plastic lenses. The plastic ones scratch easily.

  • Echo Dot@feddit.uk
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    1 year ago

    I have 950 microfiber cloths around the house, although I can never find them so I just use my t-shirt.

  • jasondj@ttrpg.network
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    1 year ago

    Rinse glasses. Rub on some hand soap or a very small amount of dish soap. Rinse again. Dry with paper towel.

  • SwearingRobin@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    If this helps you, I’ve washed microfiber cloths in the washing machine before and it never went wrong. I just toss them in with regular clothes. I usually wash cold, but I don’t think it makes a difference

    • DudeDudenson@lemmings.world
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      1 year ago

      I’ve had great luck with the skip the drier cycle option for cleaning the microfiber cloths and sponges I use to wash my car. I think that’s what damages sensitive clothing the most.

      And always wash everything with the shortest cycle and cold water lol

    • sbv@sh.itjust.worksOP
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      1 year ago

      That’s good to know. My microfiber cloths aren’t hemmed, so I’m convinced they’ll fall to bits. I haven’t tried though, so I’m probably wrong.

      • SwearingRobin@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Mine aren’t hemmed either just pinked (have a zig zag cut on the edges). If you can spare one you have just toss it in the wash and see what happens.

      • porkchop@midwest.social
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        1 year ago

        None of them are hemmed, because they don’t fray. If you’re worried about it, try gently rubbing at the edge of it. Threads won’t come off in your hand either. Microfiber is just the size of the thread used, these are 100% polyester and completely machine washable.

  • Godthrilla@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Gin will clean you glasses better than anything EVER. Nex t time you’re at your local bar, ask for a bar napkin with a drop of gin, and then dry with a microfiber, then thank me later!

  • koko@ani.social
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    1 year ago

    Here’s what i do:

    • Always use a lens cleaner 1 spray TO THE microfiber cloth
    • Rub in 1 direction away from center, both sides
    • Dirty microfiber just goes in the washing machine with other daily clothes
  • Squirrel@thelemmy.club
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    1 year ago

    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.

  • froh42@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    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)

  • renlok@lemmy.ml
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    1 year ago

    I clean them with the hem of my shirt, always assumed this is what everyone does.