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Original poster

Just WHY do eye glasses get so mucky all the time?

31 replies

skinnytobe · 12/08/2023 13:57

Am I missing a trick?

. I'm not touching the lenses! They are always smudging and it's driving me mad! I'm forever cleaning them!

OP posts:
ThomasHardyPerennial · 12/08/2023 13:59

Pollution, pollen, dust.

EbiRaisukaree · 12/08/2023 14:01

There are oils on your eyelids and eyelashes which transfer to the lenses. I also find I need to push mine back up my nose a lot (small bridge) and so I am forever catching them with my fingers. I’m more interested in knowing why we don’t usually notice until they look like you could fry chips on them!

Original poster
skinnytobe · 12/08/2023 17:13

EbiRaisukaree · 12/08/2023 14:01

There are oils on your eyelids and eyelashes which transfer to the lenses. I also find I need to push mine back up my nose a lot (small bridge) and so I am forever catching them with my fingers. I’m more interested in knowing why we don’t usually notice until they look like you could fry chips on them!

So very true! Since I've posted this I've wiped them about 12 times! All I've done is sat on the sofa 😂

OP posts:
Starchipenterprise · 12/08/2023 20:27

What about hair products and make up too? Mind are so grimy after about two minutes!

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 12/08/2023 20:28

Mine look like I wear swamp water as eyeshadow.

Am I just naturally grubby?

Wildernesstips · 12/08/2023 20:32

It is grim, isn't it? Out of interest, how do you clean yours? I used to only use a lens cloth but then saw someone at work washing her glasses with washing up liquid.

dumpling123 · 12/08/2023 20:34

Wildernesstips · 12/08/2023 20:32

It is grim, isn't it? Out of interest, how do you clean yours? I used to only use a lens cloth but then saw someone at work washing her glasses with washing up liquid.

Don't wash with washing liquid - it strips away the protective layers on your lenses and they need to be replaced much quicker. I got a brilliant cleaning spray from Specsavers for about 3 euro and use that when they're particularly manky

Charrington · 12/08/2023 20:37

I got mine as a teen and it just didn’t occur to me that I’d need to clean them. I thought the lens cloth in the box was a liner to prevent them getting scratched in there.
One day when I was struggling to read the board a friend suggested I might see better if I cleaned my glasses, so I did, and I could.
I still have to make the effort to remember though because I’m too short sighted to see the dirt unless I’m holding them close.

efeslight · 12/08/2023 20:39

Yes, ours get absolutely filthy all the time. The optician told me not to use the glasses wipes that you can buy anywhere these days, so I stopped. Will also stop using washing up liquid now I read the previous post. I need to keep the little clothes clean and to hand as I think these are the best option

Original poster
skinnytobe · 13/08/2023 00:12

Starchipenterprise · 12/08/2023 20:27

What about hair products and make up too? Mind are so grimy after about two minutes!

I don't wear makeup 🙈

OP posts:
FeigningConcern · 13/08/2023 00:37

Oh not just me then! It's so annoying isn't it! They bloody constantly need cleaning. I'm so careful not to touch the lenses too.

I'm rubbish at cleaning them because I can't be bothered so sometimes my DH takes them off me, saying he can't look at them any more! After he returns them remarkably I find I can see again!

It's on my list of things to get better at.

VeridicalVagabond · 13/08/2023 00:42

Makes you wonder how much of that grub is also getting on your face doesn't it?

My favourite are the husband nose prints I get on mine.

mrsfollowill · 13/08/2023 00:46

Oh it's a constant 'job' to do in this house! I wash mine with a dot of fairy liquid and hot water every morning. Whether I wear make up or not they are grubby within the hour. I've only worn glasses for the last 18 months- DH has worn them all his life and I now know why he was always cleaning them!
We have some cleaning wipes and use those when out of the house.
My mum used to work in an opticians and they always advocated warm soapy water to clean them - this seems to be a big no these days but I think it works the best.

CantThinkOfANameAtAll · 13/08/2023 00:49

I've been wearing glasses all my life and I've been complaining the last ten years of how quickly the lenses get grubby. I'm starting to think it's because they are plastic, with coatings, rather than glass (I vaguely recall some cracking in half when dropped as opposed to bouncing like now).

I've also invested in some men's cotton handkerchiefs instead of the man-made cloths...it's been 5 days since I last cleaned them 😯

Original poster
skinnytobe · 13/08/2023 02:07

I have s
Microfibre clothes everywhere in the house, car, handbags 🙈

OP posts:
Original poster
skinnytobe · 13/08/2023 02:08

VeridicalVagabond · 13/08/2023 00:42

Makes you wonder how much of that grub is also getting on your face doesn't it?

My favourite are the husband nose prints I get on mine.

This! I've come home from work to drink DP tonight which meant lots of nose prints on my glasses 😆 I took them off until he went to sleep Grin

OP posts:
DramaAlpaca · 13/08/2023 02:26

Oh god yes, I spend a fortune on lens wipes. It's such a pain.

Riapia · 13/08/2023 02:59

My opticians advice never clean them dry, more chance of scratching them. Always use some type of liquid.

Catsmere · 13/08/2023 03:46

It's worse when they have anti-glare/reflective coating - they show every last tiny speck of dust, oil (from skin or eyebrows), you name it. And they smear whatever you use to clean them.

Cabbagey · 13/08/2023 07:25

I have translucent plastic fames and the grime that gets between the frame and the lens is horrible. Some of it I can scrape out with the corner of a piece of paper, and bit more comes out if I soak my glasses overnight but there's some that just lives there now. Tempted to pay for the optician or a jeweller or someone to clean them because they're my favourite pair, but I know the muck would be back within days.

I'm not having clear fames again.

Wildernesstips · 13/08/2023 08:46

Does anyone use one of those sonic jewellery cleaners to clean them - are they any good?

squashyhat · 13/08/2023 08:54

Poundshop lens wipes do the trick. Good for phone screens as well.

justasking111 · 13/08/2023 08:59

Wildernesstips · 13/08/2023 08:46

Does anyone use one of those sonic jewellery cleaners to clean them - are they any good?

Very good but a faff.

I clean mine in the shower every morning, that works well. Use a bit of soap. I also have the lens spray cleaner from the opticians and loo roll in my little box next to the sofa and give them a quick spray and wipe if necessary.

Fizzology · 13/08/2023 09:03

Catsmere · 13/08/2023 03:46

It's worse when they have anti-glare/reflective coating - they show every last tiny speck of dust, oil (from skin or eyebrows), you name it. And they smear whatever you use to clean them.

This, absolutely. The anti-glare coating is awful for making lenses look dirty.

YukoandHiro · 13/08/2023 09:06

I feel your pain. It's driving me mad. I've worn glasses for five years but tempted to switch to contacts soon

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