Wiping your glasses with your shirt is a common practice, but is it actually bad for your glasses or eyesight? There are a few things to consider when deciding if using your shirt is an OK cleaning method or if you should seek out a better option.
Quick Pros and Cons
Here is a quick overview of the main pros and cons of wiping glasses with your shirt:
Pros:
- Convenient and easy – Your shirt is usually right there when you need it
- Gets rid of fingerprints, smudges, dust, etc
- Shirt fabric can polish the lenses
Cons:
- Fabric can scratch lenses
- Oils and dirt on shirt can smear onto lenses
- Lint and fibers can get left behind
- Not as effective as proper cleaning solutions
Scratching Risk
One of the biggest risks with using your shirt to wipe glasses is that it can lead to fine scratches on the lenses over time. This damage comes from dirt or fibers on your shirt rubbing against the lens surface.
Eyeglass lenses are available in different materials, like plastic, polycarbonate, and glass. Plastic lenses in particular are more prone to getting scratched up from improper wiping and cleaning. Polycarbonate is more scratch-resistant.
To reduce scratching, try to avoid using rough or abrasive fabrics. A very soft cotton t-shirt is gentler than a stiffer dress shirt fabric.
Also, wipe the lenses in a gentle motion without applying too much pressure. Rubbing vigorously can grind shirt fibers and dirt particles against the lens.
Oils and Dirt Transfer
Even if you have a clean shirt, it still has oils from your skin that can smear onto glasses when you wipe. Skin oils can cloud lenses over time.
Dirt, dust, and grime on clothing can also transfer to eyeglasses. If you’ve been wearing the shirt all day, it has accumulated sweat, lint, environmental dirt, etc. Wiping lenses with a dirty shirt simply transfers that to the glass surface.
Try to at least use a clean portion of the shirt if you need to wipe while on the go. Better yet, carry a small dedicated lens cloth or tissue that you can use.
Leaving Lint and Fibers
Shirts can leave bits of fabric lint and fibers on lenses when you wipe. These microfibers and fuzzies are annoying because they obscure vision.
Synthetic fabrics like polyester are more prone to shedding fibers. However, even cotton can have loose threads and lint on the surface that get pulled onto slippery glass when wiping.
Check lenses after wiping with a shirt and gently brush off any noticeable lint debris. Wipe again with a clean microfiber cloth to polish away any remaining fuzz.
Reduced Cleaning Effectiveness
While shirt wiping removes visible smudges, it is not as effective as using proper glass cleaner and microfiber cloths. Eyeglass cleaning solutions contain detergents and alcohol that cut through oil, dirt, and grime that shirts cannot.
Microfiber cloths also have ultra-fine fibers that polish and buff lenses as you wipe. This helps restore clarity to cloudy glasses.
So while shirt wiping works in a pinch, it does not fully clean lenses or leave them with that freshly cleaned look and feel.
Potential for Scratching Eyes
Vigorous wiping of eyeglasses while they are being worn can cause the legs and nose pads to scratch or poke skin around the eyes. This is especially true if the frames are damaged or bent out of shape.
Try to avoid aggressively cleaning lenses while glasses are on your face. Also inspect frames regularly for damage that may need repairing by an optician.
When is it OK to Use Your Shirt?
Here are some times when using your shirt to wipe eyeglasses is generally fine:
- Quick cleaning when no other cloth is available
- Gently wiping off dust or particles between full cleanings
- Polishing lenses after proper cleaning to remove final smudges
- Wiping off fog or moisture when changing environments
The key is to not overly rely on shirt wiping as your sole cleaning method. Your eyes and glasses deserve better care through regular lens cleaning and disinfecting.
Tips for Safely Cleaning Glasses with Your Shirt
Here are some tips to wipe eyeglasses safely with your shirt when needed:
- Use a very soft, lint-free area – Inside hem or collar is ideal
- Wipe gently in small circles – Don’t rub vigorously
- Breathe on lenses first – Moisture helps lift dirt and oils
- Rinse lenses under water if needed – Helps dissolve stuck-on gunk
- Dry and polish glasses well after – Prevent streaks and water spots
- Inspect closely for scratches after – Get lenses professionally polished if any appear
Best Practices for Keeping Glasses Clean
While occasional shirt wiping may be unavoidable, you’ll help your glasses last longer and work better by implementing some good care and cleaning habits:
- Wash hands before handling glasses – Reduces oil and dirt transfer
- Use microfiber cloths – Gently wipe lenses and frames
- Clean lenses daily – Remove smudges, residues, etc
- Disinfect 1-2 times per week – Kills germs with alcohol or soap
- Rinse under water – Helps clear stuck-on gunk
- Dry thoroughly – Prevents water spots and streaks
- Store in case – Protects from scratches, dust, and damage
- Get adjustments if glasses are bent – Restores proper fit to avoid poking skin
- Get professional cleanings – Opticians remove built-up debris and re-polish lenses
Developing good maintenance habits will help eyeglasses work and look their best while minimizing any damage from improper cleaning.
Alternative Wiping Options
Instead of your shirt, here are some better options for safely wiping eyeglasses when needed:
Microfiber Cloths
Microfiber cloths specifically designed for cleaning glasses are inexpensive and easy to keep in a pocket or bag. The ultra-fine fibers gently clean lenses without scratching. They also contain no lint.
Lens Cleaning Sprays
Carrying a small bottle of lens cleaning solution allows you to dissolve dirt, oils, and grime on glasses. Apply a spritz to microfiber cloth first before wiping lenses.
Eyeglass Chamois
Chamois leather has properties that lift residue from glasses very effectively. It also absorbs oils and spreads them out to avoid smearing while cleaning.
Water and Soap
If you have access to water and a small amount of mild dish soap, you can create an effective DIY cleaner. Gently rub lenses under water first, then apply a drop of soap to wipe away remaining dirt.
Silicone Wipe
Silicone wipes contain slick silicone beads embedded in the fabric to glide over lens surfaces and whisk away smudges. No need for liquids.
| Cleaning Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Microfiber cloth |
|
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| Lens spray + microfiber |
|
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| Eyeglass chamois |
|
|
| Water and soap |
|
|
| Silicone wipes |
|
|
When to Avoid Shirt Wiping
Here are some situations where it’s best to avoid using your shirt to wipe eyeglasses:
- Glasses have anti-reflective, polarized, or other specialty coatings – Too abrasive
- Lenses are brand new – Special care needed to prevent early scratching
- You have long-term buildup of oils, makeup, etc – Needs a deep clean
- Fibers, fuzz, or lint visible on shirt – Will transfer to lenses
- Shirt appears dirty – Will smear grime onto lenses
- Glasses are poorly fitting – Can press lenses uncomfortably against eyes
Take proper care of new glasses, delicate coatings, poor fits, and dirty lenses by using microfiber, solution, water, or other clean fabrics.
Conclusion
Wiping eyeglasses with your shirt is certainly tempting when you need to clear lenses quickly. However, there are risks of scratches, smearing, and poor cleaning.
Use extra care when shirt wiping – go gentle with a clean area of fabric. Additionally, implement regular lens cleaning habits using proper tools and methods.
Carry microfiber cloths or other alternatives for on-the-go cleaning. Schedule professional cleanings as needed to remove accumulated residue and restore optics.
With some mindfulness and care, your glasses can deliver crisp, scratch-free vision while avoiding damage from improper shirt wiping.