How To Clean Eyeglass Cleaner Cloths?

Why the cloth needs cleaning

Have you ever thought about cleaning the cloth that you use for cleaning your eyeglasses? you should always use a proper eyeglass cloth for your eyeglass lens cleaning, but after a while it does get dirty. do you throw it away and get a new one? it is not necessary. here are a few tips on how you can wash your cloth and reuse it.

sometimes the cloth gets so dirty you can see it. or it even re-greases your lenses! all the dirt, dust and fat rubs off on the cloth. this is exactly what the cloth is made for. after a while it is so dirty it will not clean your glasses properly anymore. what to do about it?

• to take good care of your glasses, it is essential to clean them regularly, especially with the help of cleaning cloths.
• however, it is important to ensure that the cleaning rag used is itself clean so that it can perform its function properly.
• glasses are a piece of equipment that is often used every day and can therefore easily get dirty due to external elements or rubbing against the skin.
• it is therefore essential to clean them regularly, both the lenses and the frame, mainly using a microfibre cloth.
• however, if the latter is itself soiled, it will not be able to clean your glasses properly and may even soil them further.
• in fact, when it is dirty, the cleaning cloth will transmit the dirt particles to the glasses on which it is rubbed.
• in addition, when a dirty microfibre cloth is rubbed over the lenses, it does not restore their original clarity as well as a clean cloth can.
• the dirty cloth may even dull the lens even more, or even scratch it slightly.
• however, a microfiber cloth for glasses will tend to get dirty quite easily.
• and even when stored in the spectacle case, the cleaning cloth still needs to be cleaned regularly since it takes up all the dirt it removes from the glasses.

Hand washing

once the need to clean your eyewear cleaning cloths has been taken into account, you need to know how to do it.

indeed, it's necessary to clean the microfibre cloth well so that it does not get damaged and that it regains its initial effectiveness.

to do this properly, it is advisable to use cold water and mild soap.

• wash by hand - use cold water. add a few drops of mild soap that is bleach-free and which does not contain fabric softener. let the cloth soak in the soap for a few minutes and then rinse it clean in cold water.
• the microfiber cloth should be left to soak for a few minutes and then rinsed again with cold water.
• microfiber cloth fabric softener . let the cloth soak in the soap for a few minutes and then rinse it clean in cold water. hang to dry.
• hand washing with a residue free soap will work best. castile soap and dish soap are generally residue free. don’t use any fabric softeners as these leave residue. :)
• bar of soap . whatever you use to wash them they need a lot and i mean a lot of rinsing to get rid of the residue. i probably rinse them 5-6 times
• rinse well. less is more with soap. wash before it's to dirty.

Machine washing

• wash in a washing machine - use bleach-free detergent, free from fabric softener. let the cloth air dry when finished.
• bleach free detergent , and it should be free from fabric softener. only wash with other light microfiber cloths . let the cloth air dry when finished. never use fabric sheets or softener.
• i wash them with my regular laundry. i use tide, no fabric softener or dryer sheets. i never thought to clean them any other way.
• throw them in a laundry bag and in with a regular wash, no softener.
• although effective, cleaning it in a washing machine can damage the cloth if it is done too often.

Drying after washing

• let the cloth air dry when finished.
• hang to dry.
• after washing, carefully squeeze out excess water without wringing or twisting the cloth, which can distort its shape. then lay the cloth flat on a clean towel to air dry.
• skip exposing the cloth to direct sunlight, as excessive heat can degrade the fabric and reduce its effectiveness.
• thank you. i’ve washed them several times. did not put them in dryer or use fabric softener. i’m assuming from all the comments, i need to rinse them a lot.

What to avoid

• avoid soaps that contain moisturizer or lotion. do not use hot water. hth
• i’d probably wouldn’t use dove because it has moisturizer in it. go for some plain ivory soap instead.
• use hot water only. no detergents or fabric conditioner, these will destroy any coating on the lenses.
• fabric softeners may seem harmless, but they can leave residue on your cleaning cloth that could smear or damage your lenses.
• hot water can cause the fibers of your cleaning cloth to shrink or lose their softness. always use lukewarm water to ensure gentle, effective cleaning without compromising the fabric’s quality.
• dry cleaning solutions can introduce chemicals that may leave residues or degrade the fabric. stick to hand washing to keep your cloth in optimal condition.
• don’t get creative using abrasive or harsh cleaners, including household cleaning products or rough scrubbing tools. these can damage the delicate fibers of your cloth, reducing its effectiveness and potentially scratching your lenses.

Reuse and replacement

cleaning cloths are generally made of a micro-fiber which is easy to keep clean. there are many ways you can do this:

• without water - shake out the dust and dirt.
• washing the cloth regularly allows for reuse.
• if you have a high-quality cloth, it should not be a problem to wash and reuse it multiple times.
• washing opens the gaps between fibres to catch dust and dirt from your lenses again.
• in addition, micro-fibres are positively charged, which is perfect for dust and dirt, which are negatively charged.
• wash the cloth and let physics do the job for you.
• finally, a glasses cleaning cloth that is too damaged or too worn must be replaced.
• do not hesitate to ask your optical center optician for a new one and make sure you wash your new cleaning cloth regularly.

Keeping the cloth clean between washes

• choose one cleaning cloth for your eyewear, and avoid using it for other cleaning purposes, no matter how badly you want to get those fingerprints off your phone.
• this will prevent it from picking up oils, residues, or dirt from other surfaces, ensuring it remains effective for cleaning your glasses.
• store your microfiber cleaning cloths in a clean, dry place when not in use.
• keep it in a protective case or a clean, breathable pouch.
• set up a regular cleaning schedule for your cloth, just as you would with your eyewear.
• frequent washes ensure the cloth remains free of accumulated dirt and oils, maintaining its effectiveness and extending its lifespan.
• never store your cleaning cloth in areas where it might pick up dust, grime, or other contaminants.
• instead, go for a clean, dry, and protected environment.