Spectacle Care A guide to proper fitand adjusting your eyewear and rules for cleaning/disinfecting your frames
Cleaning and Disinfecting - (3) Ways
Some of what this guide will teach you is a result of trial and error, other tips have been compiled by various frame manufactures so it’s important to note this: different frame materials have different cleaning methods as some solvents, soaps or chemicals react differently with acetate than it would with titanium, etc. For special high-end materials such as gold, buffalo horn, wood, bamboo, and others should refer the manufacturer guidelines before cleaning.
In 2020 the CDC issued guidelines to stop the spread of COVID-19 and these guidelines are taken into account when cleaning eye wear. Below we will share (3) simple methods for keeping your frames sparkling clean. Start all cleaning regimens with washing your hands.
Here are our tips:
1. Mild dish soap and warm water
This means liquid dish soap and preferably anti-bacterial and warm water. Massage the soap and water mixture on every nook of the glasses as this is safe for lenses of all coatings. Once cleaned with soap and rinsed with clean water, it’s best to let the glasses air dry. Unless you’re late for a date, on your way to see your favorite band play or headed to the arena to see Donovan Mitchell, Lebanon or Damien Lillard dunk on some fools, let the glasses air dry which only takes a few minutes. If you must wipe them, use a soft cotton cloth or Standard Optical Microfiber Cleaning Cloth. Make sure to never use a cloth that has been washed with fabric softener as this will damage lenses and in some cases can permanently damage coatings. Later we’ll discuss the best spray options for cleansing the frame and the lens, and we’ll review anti-fog spray.
Avoid wiping your glasses with any paper products like paper towels or tissue. These will scratch your lenses. Use a microfiber cleaning cloth like the one Standard Optical gives you or a soft, clean 100% cotton cloth. Make sure you never use fabric softener on any cloth that will touch your lenses. Fabric softener = Oily and damages lenses.
2. Spray mixture of Hydrogen Peroxide and warm water.
We recommend a ratio of 50/50 of 5% peroxide solution. It’s important to note that you should spray the glasses with the solution and lightly massage with your fingers, then wipe clean. Never soak or submerge your glasses in any peroxide solution for more than a few seconds. This is our second ranked option and if given the choice, we recommend soap and water over peroxide. We have recommended distilled white vinegar and water 50/50 solution to clean your lenses.
This is an effective lens cleaner but does not ensure anti bacterial cleanliness on the frame. If it’s all you have, it’s better than nothing.
3. Antibacterial Wipes
These are a great option especially when you’re on the go. These single use “wet- wipes” are safe to use on most acetates and plastics. Use sparingly around anti-reflective lenses and air dry If possible. Dispose of the wipe and never re-use disinfectant wipes.
Other ways to keep your eyewear free from bacteria, ultrasonic jewelry cleaner and UV radiation. Just like the product Phone Soap where a series of high frequency light bulbs apply UVA-B to a phone or pair of glasses, this does kill most microbes. Quantum Labs sells a consumer version of this for eyeglasses.
What about anti-fog spray, does it work? The short answer is yes. It works and it’s not new technology. We’ve been using these anti fog sprays in ski and SCUBA goggles for years to minimize fog. The catch, the stuff doesn’t last very long. The anti-fog properties break down over time which just men’s you have to reapply. One trick, hair shampoo has the same antifog chemicals as the spray and those that snorkel may remember that the best way to keep your mask clear is to use shampoo. Brought to you by “The More You Know” (Queue the jingle.) Our recommendation in the anti-fog world is Cat Crap by EK EKcessories in Logan, UT. They’ve had the best antifog goop for years. Buy Cat Crap and try Lip Schit for moisture rich lips.
Proper Frame Fit & Adjustment Tips and Tricks
There are (4) major reference points to take into consideration when determining whether a frame is fitting correctly, Frame, Temple, Bridge and Pupil Position. Here’s how you can tell if your glasses fit.
Frame. The frame should be slightly wider than your face and temples should make contact at one point on top of the ear. Temples should not be touching the face at all. The frame should be level with your eyes and brows. If it’s not, some adjustments may be needed.
Temples. If your frame is too small the temples will touch the face before hitting behind the ear. The goal of fitting glasses is to have the temples extend straight until to wraps gently behind the ear and hugging the skull. Adjustment mistake: when glasses are loose or slip, bringing in the temples is often the first action, but this is incorrect. Tightening the temples just squeezes harder and pushes the glasses forwards making the problem worse. Steepening the curve behind the ear will keep it from slipping.
Bridge (DBL) and Nose Piece. Glasses should fit snugly on the bridge. Some have adjustable nose pads, others have fixed pads, regardless, there should not be a gap between the pad and your nose. Poor fit on the bridge can pinch or push the glasses too high which could affect the prescription, especially in progressives. Next is Pupil Position. It’s this simple, your pupil should be slightly narrower than the mid point line and slightly above the mid point line. If pupils are outside the center point, the frame is too small.
Basic Adjusting Rules of Thumb
Rule of Thumb #1. Move the frame part (temple) the opposite way you want the frame to go. For example, if you want the left lens to go up, you need to move the left temple down. Also, if you need the right lens to go in, you will bend the right temple out.
Rule of Thumb #2. Plastic frames need to be heated before bending. At home a hair dryer is best but semi boiling water would work also. Some materials like Optyl require a cold insert which means heating it could ruin it.
Rule of Thumb #3. Use proper optician tools or visit any Standard Optical for a free custom fit adjustment.
Rule of Thumb #4. Taking glasses off with one hand is the main cause of loose temples. Use both hands and keep a screwdriver kit handy and you should be good.