Extend the Life of Your Sunglasses

Have you ever put your sunglasses on and thought, “Something is off”?  Like the fit feels funny, or they just look crooked, or they are foggy even after you just cleaned them?  It could be that you may need to rethink the way you care for these tools of summertime.  Read on! 

Prescription sunglasses are a gift to all of us who require corrective lenses to see clearly.  With prescription lenses, we can see these crisp summer days that we all enjoy so much without having to squint in the bright sunlight.  We’ll offer you some tips on how to prolong the life of your eyewear so you can sail through the summer without worry.  

Wash your sunglasses regularly with warm soapy water. The most common cause of damage to sunglasses is tiny scratches. Using a napkin or your shirt to wipe the grime off your glasses can be tempting, especially if you’re used to swapping out eyewear in the car.  But wait!  Using any sort of cloth or fabric with natural fibers can cause tiny scratches, leave behind lint, and only smush the dirt and oils around which is going to make things worse, not better. Start a habit of washing your sunglasses several times a week in warm soapy water, rinsing them thoroughly, and then drying them with a microfiber cloth.  

Microfiber cleaning cloths are the best way to maintain your sunglasses and regular eyewear. You can purchase cleaning cloths inexpensively and keep them handy in the places you know you’ll need to use them: backpack, purse, vehicle, home, work, etc. When it comes time to wash your microfiber cleaning cloths, use warm soapy water, rinse thoroughly, and let air dry. Do not put them in the regular wash, especially with fabric softener, as your washing machine may not rinse all the soap out, and fabric softeners are made of oil and will only make the smudging on your glasses worse, which is one of the problems we’re trying to solve in the first place.

Avoid cleaning your sunglasses when dry. Pair your microfiber cloth with an eyeglass cleaning spray for an optimal and safe clean. Do not use harsh cleaners such as window cleaners containing ammonia or alcohol, as this may remove your specialty coating on your glasses. A good lens cleaning spray can also be used for your electronic devices to safely clean screens to avoid scratching or ruining their touch-sensitive properties.  Keeping a small spray bottle of solution with you is a great alternative to lugging the big bottle in and out of the house. Suburban Opticians provides complimentary spray and microfiber clothes with every purchase.   

Store your sunglasses with care. Avoid leaving your prized sunglasses in a hot car or the sun. The heat may warp your frames and damage plastics, causing ill-fitting eyewear.  When not in use, place your sunglasses in their carrying case to offer more protection, especially during transport. Keep the lens side up when setting your sunglasses down to avoid scratching right where you need to see through.

In the market for some fresh new lenses?  Our inventory is impressive and our customer service is the best in the business.  See you soon at Suburban Opticians!