Most damage to glasses isn’t dramatic — it’s the slow accumulation of tiny scratches and stretched hinges from small daily habits. A little care goes a long way toward keeping a good pair looking and performing like new.
What not to use
Tissues, paper towels, and your shirt hem are the most common culprits behind scratched lenses. They might feel soft, but at a microscopic level they’re rough enough to leave fine scratches over time, especially on lenses with anti-reflective coatings.
The right way to clean them
Rinse your lenses under lukewarm water first, to remove any grit before it gets rubbed in. A small drop of lotion-free dish soap, worked gently across both sides with your fingertips, then rinsed thoroughly, is genuinely one of the best methods available. Dry with a clean microfibre cloth using light pressure.
Storage matters more than people think
Leaving glasses face-down on a table, or tossed loosely into a bag, is one of the fastest ways to scratch lenses or bend a frame. A hard case, used consistently, is the single easiest habit to adopt.
Handle with both hands
Taking glasses off and putting them on with one hand gradually stretches the hinges unevenly over time, leading to a looser, less secure fit. Using both hands keeps the frame balanced and extends its lifespan considerably.
Small habits, but they add up — the same pair looked after well can comfortably outlast one that isn’t, regardless of how well it was made.