How to Pick Out the Right Sunglasses for Your Face Shape
Once you pick out the right sunglasses for your face shape, the next job is keeping the lenses clear. Knowing how to clean sunglasses without scratching protects the coatings that make a good pair work. This guide gives a quick face shape refresher, then the correct cleaning method and the everyday habits that quietly damage lenses.
Key Takeaways
- Choose frames that contrast with your face shape, then protect them with the right care.
- Learning how to clean sunglasses without scratching starts with rinsing off grit before you wipe.
- Shirt hems, tissues and paper towels can scratch lenses and wear down coatings.
- Household glass cleaners with ammonia, and other harsh solvents, can strip lens coatings.
- A clean microfibre cloth and a hard case prevent most damage.
Quick Refresher: Picking the Right Sunglasses for Your Face Shape
The simplest rule is contrast. Angular frames balance soft features, and rounded frames soften strong ones.
| Face shape | Frames that usually suit |
|---|---|
| Round | Square, rectangular and geometric frames |
| Square | Round, oval and aviator frames |
| Oval | Most styles |
| Heart | Aviator, round and bottom-heavy frames |
| Oblong | Tall, oversized frames |
For a full walkthrough, read our face shape guide for glasses and sunglasses. Then, whichever pair you choose, learn how to clean sunglasses without scratching so it stays sharp for years.
Why Lens Coatings Scratch So Easily
Many sunglasses have thin coatings on the lens: anti-reflective layers, mirror finishes, water-repellent treatments and scratch-resistant hard coats. These layers are far thinner than the lens itself. Grit, rough fibres and harsh chemicals wear them down, causing haze, fine scratches and peeling. That's why how to clean sunglasses without scratching is really about protecting the coating, not just the lens underneath.
How to Clean Sunglasses Without Scratching: The Safe Method
- Rinse first. Hold the sunglasses under lukewarm running water to wash away dust and grit. Avoid hot water, which can damage some coatings.
- Wash gently. Put a small drop of mild, lotion-free washing-up liquid on your fingertips and rub both sides of each lens, the nose pads and the frame.
- Rinse again. Remove all the soap under lukewarm water.
- Shake and blot. Shake off the drops, then blot with a clean, lint-free cloth.
- Polish with microfibre. Finish with a clean microfibre cloth using light, circular motions.
That's how to clean sunglasses without scratching at home in under two minutes. When you're out, a spray made for coated lenses or individually packed lens wipes are good alternatives.
Habits That Damage Lens Coatings
Most damage comes from quick fixes. If you want to know how to clean sunglasses without scratching, start by dropping these habits.
- Wiping with a shirt hem: clothing traps dust and grit that drag across the lens.
- Using paper towels or tissues: they contain wood fibres that are rough enough to cause fine scratches.
- Dry wiping a dusty lens: always rinse grit off before you wipe.
- Breathing on lenses and rubbing: it adds moisture but doesn't lift grit.
- Leaving sunglasses on a car dashboard: heat can craze coatings and warp frames.
- Putting them down lens-first: the lens takes the scrape every time.
Can You Use Household Glass Cleaner on Sunglasses?
No. Many household glass and window cleaners contain ammonia, which can strip anti-reflective and mirrored coatings. Avoid bleach, vinegar, acetone, alcohol-heavy sprays and abrasive powders too. This is the single most useful rule in how to clean sunglasses without scratching, and it's rarely mentioned where shoppers will see it.
Microfibre Cloth for Glasses: Use It Properly
A microfibre cloth is the core tool in how to clean sunglasses without scratching, but it's only as clean as its last wash. A dirty cloth simply spreads grit around.
- Wash the cloth regularly by hand in warm, soapy water and let it air dry.
- Skip fabric softener, which leaves a film that smears.
- Keep the cloth in your case, not loose in a pocket or bag.
- Replace it when it feels stiff or worn.
Can You Remove Scratches From Sunglasses?
Not really. Toothpaste and baking soda tricks work by grinding away the surface, which removes coating along with the scratch and often makes the lens hazier. Deep scratches through a coating can't be repaired at home. That's why prevention, and knowing how to clean sunglasses without scratching, matters so much more than any repair.
How to Store Sunglasses
Storage is the final step in how to clean sunglasses without scratching: a clean lens dropped loose in a bag soon picks up new marks.
- Keep them in a hard case when they're not on your face.
- Don't push them up onto your head, which stretches the frame and exposes the lenses.
- Never leave them in a hot car or in direct sun on a windowsill.
- Close the arms before putting them in the case.
Pick the right frame for your face, follow how to clean sunglasses without scratching each time, and store them in a case. Your lenses will stay clear far longer.
Sunglasses and Care From Global Swanky
These picks pair well with knowing how to clean sunglasses without scratching. Browse more in our Sports and Outdoors collection.
1. Leather Handmade Glasses Case
The Leather Handmade Glasses Case Storage Box for Eyeglasses and Sunglasses is $22.10, for protecting lenses between wears.
2. Aviator Sunglasses UV400 Protection
The Aviator Sunglasses UV400 Protection Retro Double Beam Frame are $14.30, a classic shape that suits square and heart-shaped faces.
3. UV400 Fashion Oval Frameless Sunglasses
The UV400 Fashion Oval Frameless Sunglasses for Eye Protection are $10.19, a soft outline for square and angular faces.
4. UV Protection Large Frame Sports Sunglasses
The UV Protection Large Frame Sports Sunglasses for Active Use are $12.34, with wide coverage for oblong faces and active days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you clean sunglasses without scratching them?
Rinse the lenses under lukewarm water to remove grit, wash gently with a drop of mild washing-up liquid, rinse again, then dry with a clean microfibre cloth. Never wipe a dusty lens dry.
Can I use household glass cleaner on sunglasses?
It's best not to. Many household glass cleaners contain ammonia, which can strip anti-reflective and mirrored coatings. Use water and mild soap, or a cleaning spray made for coated lenses.
Is it OK to clean sunglasses with a shirt?
No. Clothing holds dust and grit that scratch the lens and wear down coatings over time. Use a clean microfibre cloth instead, and rinse off grit first if the lenses are dusty.
Can you remove scratches from sunglasses?
Not effectively at home. Toothpaste and baking soda only grind away the surface, including the coating, which can make the lens hazier. Prevention with correct cleaning and a hard case is the best approach.
How should I store sunglasses?
Keep them in a hard case with the arms closed, away from heat. Don't leave them on a car dashboard or put them down lens-first, and avoid pushing them up onto your head.
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