Lens care · Explained by an optical technician
Best way to clean sunglasses
Why sunglasses need extra care
Sunglasses usually carry polarised, mirror, or gradient tint coatings that sit on the lens surface. These coatings are more delicate than the tint itself, and harsh cleaners strip them first.
Salt water, sweat, and sunscreen are the three things that damage sunglasses fastest. They dry into a film that is abrasive if you wipe it off dry, so sunglasses should always be rinsed before wiping.
How to clean sunglasses, step by step
- Rinse under lukewarm water to wash off salt, sand, and sunscreen before touching the lens.
- Apply an alcohol-free, ammonia-free lens spray to both sides of each lens.
- Wipe gently with a clean microfibre cloth, including the frame and nose pads.
- After a beach or pool day, rinse the same day so salt and chlorine do not sit on the coating.
What to avoid on sunglasses
- Do not use household glass cleaner on sunglasses, because the ammonia strips mirror and polarised coatings.
- Do not use alcohol wipes, which cloud coated lenses over time.
- Do not wipe dry sunglasses covered in salt or sand, which scratches them.
- Do not leave sunglasses on a hot dashboard, as heat damages both the coating and the frame.
Frequently asked questions
How do I clean polarised sunglasses without damaging them?
Rinse polarised sunglasses under lukewarm water, apply an alcohol-free lens spray, and wipe with a microfibre cloth. Avoid alcohol and ammonia cleaners, which strip the polarising and coating layers on the lens surface.
How do I clean sunglasses after the beach?
Rinse them under lukewarm water the same day to remove salt, sand and sunscreen. Then apply an alcohol-free lens spray and wipe with a microfibre cloth. Never wipe dry, sandy lenses, as the grit scratches the coating.
Can I use Windex on sunglasses?
No. Windex and similar glass cleaners contain ammonia, which strips mirror, polarised and gradient coatings on sunglasses. Use an alcohol-free, ammonia-free lens spray designed for coated lenses instead.
Why is the mirror coating coming off my sunglasses?
Mirror coatings usually fail because of alcohol, ammonia, heat, or wiping dry grit across the lens. Once a mirror coating is damaged it cannot be restored, so clean sunglasses with an alcohol-free spray and a microfibre cloth.
What is the best cleaner for sunglasses?
The best cleaner for sunglasses is an alcohol-free, ammonia-free lens spray used with a microfibre cloth. Lensora is alcohol-free and ammonia-free, formulated by an optical technician to clean coated and polarised lenses safely.
Lensora cleans sunglasses, polarised lenses and mirror coatings without stripping them.
Made by an optical technician. See the Everyday Lens Cleaning Kit →