My glasses are driving me crazy... I just got them a month or so ago, and they're my first pair ever. My problem is, the lenses keep getting smudgy, and none of the things I have work to clean it. I have a little bottle of spray cleaner that came with them, and use that along with an old (clean) t-shirt, but usually that just spreads the smudge around more. And the little cloth that stays in the glasses case is pretty useless. I'm constantly taking them off and wiping them.

Is there a product (homemade or otherwise) that will clean my glassesreally well and make them sta y that way?  

Hi Kim,

I just use regular tap water to clean my eyeglasses. I run water from the faucet and rub the lenses with my fingers. That seems to work just fine for me.

As for the glasses getting smudged so quickly, all I can say is that I had the same problem with mine at first. Either I just got used to the occasional smudge, or I am not putting my hands to my face as much, thereby avoiding smudges. I am not quite sure why, but it got better for me in my case. (On a side note--I have often wondered if the anti-fog products really keep eyeglasses from fogging up in humid weather. I have never bothered to spend money to find out, and I have mostly heard from others that it only works temporarily, and it's not worth the money. If you have any other experiences with anti-fog products, please let me know.)

I hope you figure out what works best for you!

Window cleaner, either commerical (windex) or homemade (vinegar solution), keeps my glasses clean. I've worn glasses since I was eight.

Joyous:

Window cleaner, either commerical (windex) or homemade (vinegar solution), keeps my glasses clean. I've worn glasses since I was eight.

I've wondered about trying this, but I'm worried the chemicals or acid would harm the coating. I paid extra for an anti-reflective coating, and I'd hate to accidentally wear it off somehow. Do your glasses have any coatings?

SLK2042, thanks! I tried using plain water and wiping with paper towels, and it worked great! I was a little wary of using paper towels because at the eye doctor's office they told me to only use a soft cloth, but everything seems okay after using regular paper towels. I guess I'm a little paranoid because this is my first pair of glasses.

I cut up my old cotton Jockeys for cloth to wipe my glasses with. It's nice and soft and won't scratch. I have ancient cotton panties as I haven't bought any in some years. The elastic is showing now plus it is breaking.

Do not use facial tissue or paper towels as they can scratch the lenses and some of them contain lotions that get on the lenses (example--Puffs).

I clean mine with a special cleaner that my optical shop gave me for getting the prescription filled there. I deal with a local shop instead of a chain.

Kim_150:

Do your glasses have any coatings?

I have had glasses with coatings that I used windex or diluted vinegar on before, and I didn't notice any ill effects.  I think you do need to be a little paranoid about using only a soft cloth for cleaning, though - paper can create lots of tiny scratches that are invisible at first, but over time they build up and make the glasses permanently "foggy." I usually wipe my glasses with my shirt sleeve, to be honest, but I would do better to have a dedicated cloth like VNW has. If you're worried, call the shop. Your coating may have some special consideration. Or maybe they gave you a placebo cleaning solution by accident and need to replace it.

I don't get coatings on my glasses now because they're expensive and I don't miss them. The transition lenses drove me out of my mind, and I hate photos of myself from the "transition lens years." Blech.

   I wouldn't use paper towels, either ... it will scratch the lenses over time.   Any kind of soft cloth is better.

My DH's glasses smudge up badly, too.  Sometimes a mild soap (like Ivory) will get the grease off.    I usually use tap water on mine, though I have some spray cleaner for glasses that works well if it gets too smudged.  I have a teflon-like coating on mine that seems to help things stay cleaner.

• i wash mine, assorted coatings and all, with dish soap and hot water.  i wipe them with a microfiber cloth, wet and dry.  this is a fairly thick fabric, not that little rag in the eyeglass case!  unfortunately, i can't tell you where to get it, it was a free sample from rand mcnally maps for some promotional thing we got at work.

Dear All, I have a very simple, but very effective, way of cleaning my glasses.  I use the hottest water to gush over all 4 lenses sides, for about 15 seconds on each of the 4 lenses sides.  I then use a linen dish/tea towel to rub the water off.  Perfection!  Yours in Him, Deb