Learn why and how to clean your Oakley sunglasses and lenses without damage!
Cleaning your Oakley sunglasses is essential to keeping them looking pristine over time. But you may be wondering about the best way to clean your Oakley glasses. Or how to clean Oakley’s new contrast-enhancing Prizm lenses. Luckily there are a few easy do’s and don’t to cleaning Oakley eyewear that will have your shades looking great for years to come.
Keep reading as we walk through what you need to know about cleaning Oakleys. Plus, the best way to clean Oakley sunglasses.
Do I Need to Clean My Sunglasses?
First, let’s start with whether you need to clean your sunglasses. The answer is a simple yes – your sweat, face oils, hair products, colognes, perfumes, and whatever else are all getting on your sunglasses.
And just like you wash your clothes, you need to clean your glasses. Otherwise, you risk long-term damage to your Oakleys, including flaking and peeling!
How Does Sweat and Oil Damage My Oakleys?
When Plutonite and Iridium (the primary materials used to make Oakleys) are exposed to sweat, oil, and other elements, they can eat away at your lenses, especially if left for long periods.
Bubbling, peeling, blemishing, and even pitting can occur if your lenses aren’t routinely cleaned properly. The same things can also happen to your Oakley sunglass frame if you don’t properly clean it.
The Best Way To Clean Oakley Sunglasses
Four words: Oakley Lens Cleaning Kit.
When you’re at the Oakley store and the associates offer this product, you might think they are just trying to add an accessory. But they’re actually trying to help you protect your investment in Oakley products.
The Oakley Lens Cleaning Kit includes a spray bottle with their own special cleaning formula, designed to clean your lenses without damage. The kit also includes a microfiber cloth and a flathead/Philips screwdriver kit for those with a metal frame.
Did I mention that the kit includes FREE LIFETIME REFILLS (At Oakley, Sunglass Hut, and Lens Crafters locations)?
And at the cost of $10 USD, it’s an absolute deal and hands down the best way to clean your Oakley sunglasses.
What Makes the Oakley’s Lens Cleaning Kit So Special?
The Oakley Lens Cleaning Kit is specially made for Oakley eyewear and lenses.
Their unique lens cleaning formula contains less than 5% alcohol content by volume so that it won’t harm the frame or lenses of your Oakley sunglasses.
It’s also safe for any other eyewear or electronics you might own (it works wonders on my iPhone too).
Alternatives For Cleaning Oakleys
You can feel free to use any other lens cleaning spray or wipe you might have as long as it has less than 5% alcohol. But you should not use Windex or other harmful cleaners. This is because most household window cleaners contain chemicals that will damage your glasses over time.
Some manufacturers do not specify this information directly on the bottle, but you can typically find it on their website.
Alternatively, you can also use dish soap and warm water on your Oakley lenses and frame.
Can I Use Glasses Cleaning Wipes on Oakleys?
Yes, you can use lens wipes on your Oakleys as long as they don’t contain more than 5% alcohol.
Most wipes should meet this standard if they’re designed for glasses and sunglasses, but it’s always important to check.
How to Clean Oakley Prizm Lenses
If you have a pair of Oakleys featuring contrast-enhancing Prizm lenses, you may wonder if you need to clean them differently. Luckily the answer is no.
You can clean Prizm lenses using the same Oakley lens cleaning kit and directions described above without any issues!
If you don’t have an Oakley cleaning kit, feel free to use any other lens cleaner with less than 5% alcohol content. Or you can use gentle dish soap and water, carefully scrubbing your lenses and cleaning them with a microfiber cloth.
How To Clean Oakley Unobtanium (Rubber Ear Grips)
Oakley’s patented rubber (Unobtainium) that is on many of the sport/active frame styles is made to become sticky as it becomes wet. Meaning when you sweat, they will grip better.
Naturally, by design, they are meant to absorb as much as possible, so eventually, they will break down.
However, there are preventative measures you can take to make the pieces on your glasses last longer.
We recommend applying a small amount of Purell onto a paper towel and liberally rubbing up and down on the rubber piece. This will remove contaminants from the earsocks/nose pieces and clean them.
The best part is that it dissipates in a few seconds and leaves your pieces thoroughly clean. You can also use the soap and water method shown in the video below.
The Best Cloth To Wipe Down Glasses
We always recommend using a microfiber cloth to wipe down your sunglasses and lenses since they won’t leave lint or debris.
In fact, Oakley’s microfiber bags (the ones their sunglasses come in) are safe to clean your sunglasses and eyeglasses with. You can also use the microfiber that is included in the cleaning/Nano Clear kit.
If you do use your Oakley microfiber bag, we recommend washing them every few months to get rid of oil buildup.
If Oakley microfiber cloths aren’t an option, you can find similar products on Amazon, like our favorite linked here.
How Can I Clean Cloths/Cleaning Towels?
The best way to clean Oakley’s and any other manufacturer’s microfiber products is to machine wash in cold water and to let air dry. Do not use laundry soap that contains fabric softener.
How Often Should I Clean Oakley Glasses?
We’d recommend cleaning your Oakley sunglasses at least once per week. The time will vary depending on each person, specifically how often you wear your sunglasses and how much you sweat while wearing them.
If you’re using your Oakleys for activities that might cause perspiration, such as Golf or Cycling, you’ll want to make sure to clean your sunglasses after each game/outing.
What Areas Do I Need to Concentrate On When Cleaning?
Concentrate on the inside of your sunglasses and main contact areas since this is the area that gets the most exposure to oils, sweat, and other dirt.
Main contact areas refer to the nose area, stems, and insides of the lenses that directly touch your face. These areas are exposed to the most amount of oil and debris, so this is where you’ll want to focus your cleaning attention.
Bottom Line
Now that you’ve learned how to properly clean your Oakley sunglasses, these techniques will allow your eyewear to look brand new and last as long as possible. While it’s not always fun, protecting your investment and cleaning your Oakley sunglasses properly is essential.
