Yes, you can clean glasses with alcohol. Mix 70% isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol with some water and a couple of drops of clear dishwashing soap. Spray it on the lenses and frame, then buff dry with a clean microfiber cloth. Many lens labs use the same mix. Try a little on the tip of a temple first to make sure it won't mark the frame.
Disinfecting your eyeglasses and sunglasses is easy to do. In addition to seeing clearly through lenses that are free of smudges and fingerprints, nowadays we are doing everything we can to reduce the risk of germs on whatever we touch - especially anything near our eyes.
On our own eyeglasses and sunglasses, we use a solution of 70% isopropyl alcohol (aka: rubbing alcohol) diluted with some water and a couple drops of clear dishwashing liquid soap. This is the same solution many lens labs use. Spray the solution onto the lenses and frames, buff dry with a clean microfiber cloth. We like rubbing alcohol for a variety of reasons:
1) It is widely known to kill germs, bacteria and viruses.
2) It has proven safe to use on high quality lens materials and lens coatings, and on high quality metal and plastic frames.
3) It is commonly available.
As a precaution, we recommend using a small amount of isopropyl alcohol on the tips of the temples to ensure that the rubbing alcohol solution will not damage the frame material or colors.
Have a question about cleaning your lenses? Click this link to send us a question. We're quick to respond and we're happy to help in any way we can.
Alternatively - if you don't have isopropyl alcohol or if you are concerned about potential damage to your lenses or frames, we recommend washing your eyeglasses or sunglasses with a drop of mild dishwashing soap and warm water. Be sure to dry your lenses with a clean microfiber cloth (not paper towels or a t-shirt). In addition to washing away germs, cleaning your eyewear with dishwashing soap has the added benefit of removing oils, smudges and other grime that can accumulate on your lenses and frames.
Curious how to prevent your glasses from fogging ... or how to build your own customized eyewear quiver so you have the right lenses to do everything you need to do with the clearest vision and maximum comfort?
Questions
Can I use rubbing alcohol to clean my glasses?
Yes. Dilute 70% isopropyl alcohol with water and add a couple of drops of clear dish soap. It's safe on good lens materials and coatings. Test it on the tip of a temple first.
Can you use 70% isopropyl alcohol on glasses?
Yes, diluted with some water. Spray it on and buff dry with a clean microfiber cloth.
What should I not clean my glasses with?
Paper towels, tissues and T-shirts. Their fibers can scratch lenses. Use a clean microfiber cloth.
How do I clean glasses without alcohol?
Wash them with a drop of mild dishwashing soap and warm water, then dry with a clean microfiber cloth. Soap also lifts oil and smudges.
