Rubbing your glasses on your T-shirt isn't doing your vision any favors. Use a cleaner designed for your eyewear. (Zeiss)
Cleaning your eyeglasses isn't the most exciting task, but it's unavoidable if you want to see clearly. When it comes to cleaning your glasses, there's no shortage of products available, including spray cleaners, microfiber cloths, disposable wipes and cleaning tools. With all the options, deciding what to buy can feel overwhelming, but it's actually quite simple: The best eyeglasses cleaner is the one you will consistently use.
It may sound obvious, but being able to see clearly is pretty important. "Glasses are meant to help make your vision crystal clear," says Danielle Richardson, O.D., a Los Angeles-based VSP network optometrist. "Dirty lenses can cause unnecessary eye strain that can lead to headaches and sharp pains in your head and neck. By simply cleaning your glasses every day, you can easily avoid these problems," she says.
To that end, we spoke with optometrists and ophthalmologists for their advice on finding and using lens cleaners. Using their insights, we tested an array of eyeglass cleaning products to see which ones performed the best. See our picks of the best sprays, microfiber cloths, disposable wipes and other eyeglass cleaners in 2025.
Type: Spray | Volume: 2 or 8 ounces | Special features: Streak-free, fast-drying | Compatibility: Safe for most types of lenses
I spent a few days using Zeiss Lens Cleaner Spray exclusively, and my lenses had truly never looked cleaner, easily earning it our top spot. I'm not sure how, but this spray seems to actually repel debris and make lenses shine. I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm kind of irresponsible when it comes to keeping my glasses clean. Between smudges from snack-covered fingers and surprise licks from my two giant Labrador retrievers, my lenses are often in need of a clean. Regardless of how my lenses ended up dirty, this spray was consistently effective at cleaning my glasses and keeping them that way for an extended period. This was particularly true for keeping away smudges.
Another benefit? No frequent restocking. One squirt per side of each lens did the trick for an effective clean. Sometimes, I would squirt the spray on one side and use the included cloth on the opposite side once it was dampened. I could see the 8-ounce bottle lasting me several months, maybe even a year.
With more than 9,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, customers seem to agree. One reviewer calls it "The perfect lens cleaner," adding, "This lens cleaner is fantastic! The fluid works incredibly well with a microfiber cloth, leaving my glasses crystal clear with no streaks or residue. I also love that the bottle contains a generous amount, so I won’t need to replace it anytime soon. It’s a great value for the price, and I’ll definitely be buying it again when I run out! Highly recommend!"
Zeiss Lens Cleaner Spray comes as a two-pack, meaning I will have a backup bottle for quite some time. This is also a bonus if you prefer to keep a spare at work or in the car. The only real drawback is the scent. It didn't bother me, but if you prefer to avoid fragrance, this spray might not be for you.
Type: Spray | Volume: 1, 2, 4 or 8 ounces | Special features: Effective on surfaces other than lenses, fragrance-free | Compatibility: Safe for all types of lenses
If you're looking for a lens spray that can be used on other surfaces, including your smudged smartphone screen, Purity Lens Cleaner is an excellent choice. To be honest, the only glass surface in my life dirtier than my eyeglass lenses is my phone. A spray and cloth that can be used on both of my routinely filthy items? A convenience dream.
Like our overall winner above, Purity effectively cleaned my lenses and left them clean for hours afterward, seemingly repelling my gross tendencies to touch them after eating buttery popcorn. While I only tried the spray on my glasses and smartphone, it's safe for a slew of other screens and surfaces: sport sunglasses, scuba goggles, watches, cameras, VR headsets and more. I also appreciated that it's available in multiple sizes, including a 1-ounce bottle, which is handy for traveling or stashing in your desk drawer, purse or car's glove compartment.
This lens cleaner, which comes with two microfiber cloths, is highly reviewed on Amazon. One happy customer says, "This lens cleaner leaves my lenses crystal clear," while another praises it for its versatility, saying, "I use this every morning on our glasses, cell phones, tablets and sunglasses. Good stuff."
Type: Cloth | Volume: N/A | Special features: Machine-washable | Compatibility: Safe for all anti-reflective lenses
Being able to clean my lenses quickly with just a cloth is highly convenient when I want to travel light. I saw Hamilton a few weeks ago, and while my seats weren't terrible, I definitely needed my glasses to clearly see the action onstage. I toted the Crizal Microfiber cloth in my glasses case so I could wipe my specs right before the show started, and it certainly did the job. No streaks, and every smudge was history after just a minute of light circular wiping around my lens surfaces.
That said, a dry wipe — even the best one — can't compete with the cleaning power of a microfiber cloth and lens spray combination. I also noticed that my lenses didn't repel smudges as well when using a cloth by itself.
Crizal Microfiber Cleaning Cloth is certainly a budget-friendly option — a pack of four is just $8.95 on Amazon and should last for years, as the cloths are machine-washable. That said, after washing mine, the cloth didn't seem quite as effective. I combed through Amazon reviews and didn't find a similar complaint, so I may have just washed it incorrectly. Overall, I like the convenience and eco-friendly aspect of a reusable washable cloth, provided that the cloth retains its cleaning power post-wash.
Type: Spray | Volume: 2 or 8 ounces | Special features: Made with plant-based surfactants, effective on surfaces other than lenses, fragrance-free | Compatibility: Safe for all lens types
If you prefer to use natural cleaning products, Koala Eyeglass Lens Cleaner Spray is an excellent option. While I found it slightly less effective than other sprays I tested, it still did the trick for removing smudges and grime. Plus, with more than 42,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, it's clearly a solid spray. One reviewer calls it "The perfect lens cleaner." They add, "I have been on a quest to find the perfect lens cleaning spray — and here it is! Alcohol-free, ammonia-free, no smell — and oh, yeah, cleans like a champ! No streaks, no scratches and doesn't take multiple wipes to get my glasses clean."
However, some reviewers mention the sprayer top can be tough to depress, which I also experienced. Cleaning your glasses is two-handed, with one hand holding the glasses and the other spraying. But with this product, I often needed two hands for spraying, for the additional pressure.
The tricky top aside, I liked that this spray is unscented and comes in two sizes. Again, it wouldn't be my top pick, but if choosing a more natural product is your main goal, this spray is the clear winner (pun intended).
Type: Disposable wipe | Volume: N/A | Special features: Effective on surfaces other than eyeglass lenses | Compatibility: Safe for all lens types
For the last few years, I've almost exclusively carried a small belt bag instead of a regular purse. What can I say? I travel light. However, that means bag space is always at a premium, and I can't bring my eyeglass case with me, which would normally hold a cloth to clean my lenses. Enter, Nice 'N Clean SmudgeGuard Lens Wipes. If you need to clean your glasses on the go and don't have much space, packing a few prepackaged wipes is the perfect solution.
When at home, I preferred using good ol' lens spray and a microfiber cloth. However, when out and about, having one or two of these wipes on hand was incredibly convenient. Because they're individually packaged and intended for one-time use, it was also nice not having to worry about bacteria, like you might with a reusable cloth.
The wipes were surprisingly effective at removing grime and smudges, though I felt all the sprays I tested worked better at warding off filth long-term. Having to toss each wipe after just one use also didn't feel great to me from a sustainability perspective.
When purchasing eyeglasses cleaner, there are three main factors to keep in mind. Here's a closer look at each.
There are many types of eyeglass cleaners, with sprays, microfiber cloths and disposable wipes being the most common. There are also small tools you can purchase that look like mini tongs with round pads for cleaning both sides of your lenses simultaneously. For at-home use, a spray bottle and cloth is a good way to go, whereas disposable wipes can be handy for frequent travel. If sustainability is your top focus, a reusable cloth that's machine-washable will be your best fit. Consider your needs and lifestyle preferences when deciding what to use.
"For when you’re out and about, I recommend keeping a lens cleaner and cleaning cloth in your purse or car for quick touch-ups," says Dr. Richardson. "Your local optometrist may also have an ultrasonic glasses cleaner in their office, which is great for less frequent deep cleans to really get in those tough to reach places like under nose pads and near hinges."
Most of the lens cleaners and cloths we tested stated they were compatible with any type of eyeglass lens, including those with antireflective coating. Some can even work for cleaning your laptop, phone or camera screen, which could be appealing for certain users who like a product that multitasks. Still, to avoid scratching or damaging your lenses, always double-check to make sure a product is safe to use on your glasses.
If you have concerns about certain chemicals touching your glasses (and therefore, your skin), invest in an eyeglass cleaner that uses less harsh or natural ingredients. Even better, stick to a microfiber cloth or just use water. "Glasses should be cleaned regularly — this can be done by rinsing them in water to remove loose particles, and then cleaning them with a dry microfiber cloth," says Joseph Nathan, MD, president and chief medical officer at ForSight Robotics.
When it comes to keeping your eyeglasses clean, the right products are only one piece of the puzzle. It's also important to know what habits to avoid and what actions could actually damage your lenses instead of making them cleaner.
Dr. Richardson says it's crucial to avoid using "abrasive materials, like paper towels or tissues, as these items can cause small scratches on the lens surface." She also strongly urges using proper lens sprays and cloths meant to clean eyeglasses. "Cleaners and household products, such as acetone, rubbing alcohol, ammonia, bleach, vinegar and window cleaner should be avoided," she says. "These liquids are far too harsh for your glasses and can damage the lenses and any coatings you may have on them."
"Always try to keep a clean microfiber lens cloth in the case with your glasses," says Rupa Wong, MD, board-certified ophthalmologist and managing partner at Honolulu Eye Clinic. "Avoid putting your glasses on your head (like a headband). Many people do this with sunglasses and their reading glasses, and your hair can actually scratch your lenses permanently."
Dr. Nathan emphasizes the importance of keeping eyeglass lenses clean in terms of both seeing clearly and maintaining eye health. "Scratches on the lenses can degrade the lens coating (anti-glare or anti-scratch layers) and, as such, impact vision clarity," he shares. "This can decrease comfort and increase vision distortions that can impact one’s day-to-day activities." In addition, he explains, when not cleaned properly, buildup of bacteria or allergens can lead to eye infections. "Proper cleaning is essential to maintaining clear and healthy eyesight with eyeglasses," he says.
Our quest for the best eyeglasses cleaner began by talking with optometrists and ophthalmologists to better understand how to care for glasses and what to look for in a cleaner. Using their insights, we researched the best sprays and wipes and identified seven top contenders. During testing, each product was used at least three times and was evaluated for how effectively it cleared all smudges and dirt and how easy it was to use and store. We also considered price, sustainability and lens compatibility when determining our "winners" for each category.
We tested two additional products. While they didn't quite make the cut, they may still be a good choice, depending on your needs:
OptiPlus Eyeglass Lens Wipes: These wipes were effective when wet enough, but some felt dried out and in need of more moisture — which meant using more than one wipe. While more expensive, the wipes that made our list were consistently moist and seemed to dry more quickly on the lens after use.
Mini Spectacles Cleaner: These tiny microfiber pad-tipped cleaners did an acceptable job of cleaning my glasses, but they were somewhat awkward to maneuver and didn't work as well as larger cloths or a combo of a spray and cloth. They also have to be thrown away once they're dirty because they can't be cleaned, which is a lot of plastic waste over time if they're all you're using.
No, lens cleaners vary in the types of ingredients or materials used, which may or may not be compatible with certain lenses. Check the product information carefully to make sure the type of lens cleaner you are purchasing is safe for the type of lens you need to clean.
No, experts do not recommend using household cleaners on lenses as they can be too harsh and abrasive, potentially damaging your lenses and any coating on them.
You can clean your glasses as often as you feel is necessary, provided you are using safe materials and methods so as not to damage the lenses. "There's no mandatory length of time to clean your glasses," says Dr. Wong. "Clean them when they're dirty! Kids usually need to have their glasses cleaned every couple of days, or if they're really rough and tumble, maybe every day. If you use the correct cleaning supplies, you cannot cause harm by over-cleaning your glasses."
Some lens cleaners are safe for phone or computer screens, but not all. Be sure to look for a lens cleaner or cloth that's listed as being safe for computer screens.
Joseph Nathan, MD, ophthalmologist and president and chief medical officer at ForSight Robotics
Rupa Wong, MD, board-certified ophthalmologist and managing partner at Honolulu Eye Clinic
Danielle Richardson, OD, Los Angeles-based VSP network optometrist
Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
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