This is how you should actually be cleaning your glasses

HealthWhat are the best ways to clean glasses? An optician and optometrist weigh inKeeping your lenses smudge-free is easy with the right tricks.May 26, 2026, 10:30 AM EDTCory FernandezCommerce EditorCory FernandezCommerce EditorBethany HeitmanContributing Editor+ 1 moreSkip to table of contentsA microfiber cloth is one of the best options for cleaning glasses since it won’t leave streaks.Getty ImagesWe don’t always have the answers, but we have some people on speed dial who do — which is why we present to you our series FYI where we have experts explain if lip balm is actually bad, how often you should wash your hair and more. If you wear glasses, you know just how annoying smudges can be. In fact, it can be nearly impossible to focus on whatever you’re looking at. Plus, if you use the wrong products to clean eyewear, it can compromise their quality over time, which leads to more costs down the road.To keep your glasses clean without ruining them, it’s best to use cleaners that don’t have “alcohol, harsh chemicals, perfumes and scents,” says Sheena Taff, an optician and business owner at Optician About Town. “The smell is usually a great indicator, lens cleaner shouldn’t have an obvious odor to it.” For a step-by-step tutorial on the best way to clean glasses — and the best products to do it — I asked Taff and other eyewear experts for their guidance, which I share below.Selected.Our top picksBest overallKoala Eyeglass Lens Cleaner Spray Kit $undefined$9.99AmazonLearn moreBest clothMagicFiber Microfiber Cleaning Cloth$9.98$14.99AmazonLearn moreRelatedselectselectThe best places to buy stylish glasses onlineWant more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter.The best products for cleaning glassesBefore we get to the steps, we want to make sure you have the right products to get your eye glasses, reading glasses, sunglasses and other specs in top shape. Aside from water and mild soap (which works well for this task), there are other...