How to Take Care of Your Sunglasses

A good pair of sunglasses isn’t just an accessory. It’s an investment in eye health, comfort, and style. Whether you’re hitting the trails, cruising on the water, or just soaking up the sun, taking care of your shades can make the difference between keeping them for years or having to replace them after one season. Here’s how to get the most life out of your sunglasses!

Handle with Care

Our sunglasses go everywhere with us: the beach, work, our favorite restaurant, the gas station, and most scratches and frame damage happen when sunglasses are tossed into bags, glove compartments, or left loose around the house. A case provides a protective barrier from keys, grime, and pressure. Get into the habit of storing your shades in a case every time you’re not wearing them — it’s the single easiest way to extend their lifespan. 

Storing your shades on the top of your head or on your shirt collar will strain and wear out the hinges, not to mention if you bend over at the wrong angle or turn too fast, your sunglasses could get away from you whether they fall on the floor or get flung across the room.

How you take your sunglasses on and off also makes a big difference. Use both hands to remove them so you don’t bend one arm out of shape and avoid placing them face down on any surface — that’s asking for scratches. 

Avoid Extreme Heat 

Leaving your sunglasses on a hot dashboard or out in direct sun can warp the frames, loosen adhesives, and damage lenses. The inside of your car in the summer time becomes a scorching hot oven (we're talking up to 170°F hot!) and leaving your sunglasses in the car is something to be avoided at all costs. Before you leave your car, throw them in a case and take them with you. Even if you don’t plan on wearing your shades, it’s better that you have them with you instead of putting them at risk. 

Microfiber Cloth: Your Glasses' Best Friend

We’ve all been guilty of it - cleaning your lenses with your graphic tee or the nearest wash cloth. Despite how easy and convenient it is, it’s not the best way to care for your shades. Over time, these materials can add minor scratches to your lenses, and in some cases, erode lens coatings. What do you do to avoid this sort of long term damage? Get a microfiber cleaning cloth! Designed with your lens health in mind, these inexpensive little beauties can remove dirt and smudges from lenses with ease. Keep one of these invaluable cloths handy! Just make sure it's clean, a dirty cloth can trap grit and scratch the lenses.

Clean Them the Right Way

Refrain from using glass cleaner, vinegar, bleach, alcohol, or other household cleaning products on your sunglasses. These products contain ingredients that can gradually damage lens and frame coatings over time.

Dust, sand, and other tiny particles are one of the biggest causes of scratched lenses. Before wiping your sunglasses, give them a quick rinse with clean water whenever possible to wash away any debris that may be stuck to the surface.

Prolonged exposure to sunscreen, bug spray, chlorinated pool water, saltwater, sweat, and grease can also wear down lens and frame coatings over time. Especially if these are not rinsed off and instead are buffed into the frame and lenses when cleaning. After a day at the beach, pool, hike, or a sweaty run, simply rinse your sunglasses with fresh water and gently dry them with a clean microfiber cloth.

When cleaning your lenses, let the microfiber cloth do the work. Pressing harder won't clean them any better, and excessive pressure can gradually wear down lens and frame coatings over time.

Give Your Shades an Occasional Tune-Up

Everyone needs a little TLC, and so do your shades. Check on your sunglasses often, look over every corner of your trusty pair. Hinges, screws, nose pieces - these smaller areas of your glasses can make or break your experience with them. Rinse your sunglasses with fresh water occasionally to clear debris that may settle around the hinges, and periodically tighten the hinge screws with a small screwdriver - just be careful not to overtighten.

Final Thoughts

A little maintenance goes a long way. With proper care, your sunglasses can stay looking sharp and performing their best season after season.

Treat your shades well, and they'll return the favor with years of comfort, protection, and great style.