Guides, How-Tos & More

Why You Should Never Use Windex on Glasses [Plus Alternatives]

Most people use Windex to clean windows, and there’s no doubt that it does a great job. The harsh chemicals effectively remove dirt and grime and kill 99.9% of bacteria for good measure. But, the same logic doesn’t carry over to cleaning your glasses.

In fact, Windex is one of the worst ways to clean your eyeglasses. Keep reading as we explain why in the next section. Plus, the best alternatives for cleaning your glasses and sunglasses.

Using Glass Cleaners for Sunglasses and Glasses

Why Not to Use Windex on Glasses?

There are actually multiple reasons why using Windex on your glasses is a bad idea including:

  • Modern eyewear lenses aren’t made of glass
  • Windex contains harsh materials including Phenoxyethanol and ammonium hydroxide
  • Can damage the special coatings on your lenses
  • Windex isn’t eye-safe and can be harmful to human skin

Now let’s explain each of these reasons further.

First, most modern lenses aren’t made from glass. While they look like glass, they’re actually plastic or composite materials. This means using a glass cleaner like Windex is a terrible choice for cleaning your eyewear. Especially since Windex cleaner is designed for household glass, not plastic. So Windex isn’t a good match right off the bat.

You’ll also notice Windex contains chemicals including phenoxyethanol and ammonium hydroxide. Unfortunately, these compounds are as harsh as they sound. Over time, they’ll break down the lens material, causing your lenses to become foggy or even opaque.

Additionally, most eyeglass prescription lenses come with several coatings, including scratch-resistant, anti-glare, and anti-reflective coatings. These materials are delicate and cannot withstand the corrosive power of Windex. You’ll strip your expensive glasses of crucial protection, forcing you to eventually purchase another pair.

Lastly, Windex is terrible for your eyes. Windex leaves behind a residue that can get into your eyes when you sweat or are caught in the rain. And since Windex isn’t skin or eye-safe, you’ll feel some negative effects. These effects range from mild discomfort to serious eye problems that require medical intervention.

Now that we’ve covered all the reasons you shouldn’t use Windex to clean your glasses, let’s talk about what you should use.

What Should You Use to Clean Glasses and Sunglasses?

The best options for cleaning your glasses or sunglasses include:

Mild Soap and Water

This is the best method for thoroughly cleaning your glasses. All you’ll need is warm running water, mild dish soap, and a microfiber cloth.

Start by rinsing your glasses off under warm running water. Remember to keep low water pressure to avoid damaging the frame or lenses. Rinsing your glasses beforehand helps to remove particles that can scratch your lenses during cleaning.

Then apply a few drops of dish soap to each lens. Avoid citrus-based soaps because they contain harsh fruit acids that can be just as bad as Windex. And for a gentler cleaner, try diluting a small amount of dish soap with part water and spritz the mixture on your lenses.

Next, gently use your thumb and forefinger to work the soap on the lenses. Clean the insides and outsides of the lenses before proceeding to other parts of the glasses. Don’t forget to clean the frame, sides, earpieces, and nose pads. You may use the microfiber cloth tip to scrub stubborn smudges gently.

Finally, rinse the glasses under warm running water. Finish off by drying the glasses with a clean microfiber cloth, soft cotton cloth, or lint-free towel, and air dry any water you can’t get with the cloth.

Commercial Eyeglass Cleaners

You may be in a bind and don’t have the time or opportunity to clean your glasses with mild soap and water. The next best option is commercial eyeglass cleaners. And you’ll want to make sure the spray is specifically made for eyewear. Again, you want to avoid regular glass cleaners like Windex.

We’d recommend purchasing your eyeglass cleaners from trusted retailers and eyewear brands. A good spray will be free from film, alcohol, and silicone. These ingredients can peel the delicate coating from your glasses over time. Specialized commercial eyeglass cleaners are effective, safe, and affordable, so it’s worth investing in a bottle.

Microfiber Cloth

A good quality, lint-free microfiber cloth is a must-have for cleaning your glasses. Ideally, you should never clean your glasses dry. Instead, use warm water or special eyeglass cleaning spray with your microfiber cloth. Don’t forget to be gentle even when using your microfiber cloth.

A word of caution: don’t use fabric softener to wash your microfiber cloth. The fabric softener may leave an oily residue that fogs up your eyeglass lenses. Additionally, a fabric softener may break down the microfiber cloth fibers. Then, your cloth will become rough and may scratch your lenses.

Lens Cleaning Wipes

Finally, it is worth investing in lens cleaning wipes like these to clean your glasses on the go. These wipes are ready to use, so you don’t need to use any liquid or anything else to clean your glasses. And wipes are an excellent alternative to tissue, toilet paper, paper towels, and napkins, all of which can scratch your lenses.

Finally, we’d recommend checking that the lens cleaning wipes, microfiber cloth, and commercial eyeglass cleaners you choose are approved by the American optometric association.

Chemicals in Windex are Harsh for Eyewear

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Windex? 

Windex is an American-made brand of hard-surface cleaner invented in 1933. The product is mainly marketed as a glass and window cleaner. Its main ingredients include Ethylene glycol n-hexyl ether, 2-Butoxyethanol, Isopropanol, water, blue dye, and fragrance.

The brand is so famous that many people refer to all surface cleaners as Windex, regardless of the brand name. The product’s popularity is mainly due to its careful formulation. Windex is abrasive enough to remove stubborn stains from windows and other surfaces. Yet, the formula is gentle enough not to harm glass surfaces.

Windex also has many uses besides cleaning windows. It’s also an effective cleaner for jewelry, laundry stains, grease, and microfiber upholstery.

Can You Clean Sunglasses With Windex?

We wouldn’t recommend cleaning your glasses with Windex since it can harm them over time due to the abrasive chemicals. You may use Windex to clean your sunglasses in a bind. But be sure to thoroughly rinse your glasses with water after using the surface cleaner.

Windex is an effective and popular window cleaner. But, it’s not made to clean eyewear, including glasses or sunglasses. The product’s ingredients are too harsh for the unique lens coatings found on most good-quality and designer sunglasses. Additionally, the ammonia present in Windex may corrode metal frames.  

Other similar solutions to avoid include rubbing alcohol, bleach, and vinegar.

Read more in our guide How to Clean Your Sunglasses (5 Easy Steps).

Have a Question?

Want to know more about cleaning your sunglasses? Or have a question? Let us know in the comments below!

Created this site because of the lack of a place for the Oakley Community to talk. Feel free to Message me any time with feedback for the site, tips o...
Not going lie...I wiped my shirt on Oakleys before, but never considered using Windex to clean them. The chemical leaves a strong smell too. 🧼
 
I used my shirt 😂 well i still do if i'm lazy
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