How to disinfect various eyewear materials to help prevent COVID-19
In a world with COVID-19, we don’t want to touch our eyes, nose, mouth and face. But what about our eyewear?
It’s important to clean your frames more frequently than you usually would.
These are methods based on 19 years of experience and practices we use at Mosh Framemakers working with a wide range of materials and seeing the long term effects of various cleaning products.
WHAT NOT TO USE
It’s important to first mention cleaners and disinfectants that can ruin lens coatings and frame materials. It’s best to stay away from cleaners that contain ammonia, bleach, vinegars, acetone, Lysol or Clorox wipes, and abrasive materials like paper towels. If you’re not sure, it’s best to contact your optician or the frame/lens manufacturer or run a test on a part of the frame where it won’t be noticed.
HOW TO BEST CLEAN YOUR EYEWEAR
We will focus on 3 disinfection methods:
Dish Soap and Water
We recommend using cool or cold water as prolonged use of warm or hot water can dry out the frame material and eventually turn it white. Lenses don’t love hot water either.
Use gloves, put a drop of dish soap in your hands and work up a lather. Rub the frames and lenses remembering to also clean the nosepads and temples.
Dry eyewear with a clean, soft towel and polish the lenses with a dry, clean microfibre cloth.
Discard gloves and wash towel and cloth afterwards.
Hydrogen Peroxide (3%) Diluted 50/50 with Water
Use on a cotton pad, as a disinfectant wipe, or put in a spray bottle.
Frame only instructions: Use gloves and spray the frames and dry with a clean, soft towel. Polish frame with a dry, clean microfibre cloth if necessary. Avoid getting on lenses.
Discard gloves and wash towel and cloth afterwards.
Isopropyl Alcohol (70%)
Use on a cotton pad, or as a disinfectant wipe.
Great for cleaning small surfaces like nosepads.
Use sparingly on plastics. If using it on a frame multiple times a day the material can dry out and eventually turn white.
Frame only instructions: Use gloves and wipe the desired area. It will air dry quickly. Polish frame with a dry, clean microfibre cloth if necessary. Avoid getting on lenses.
Discard gloves and wash cloth afterwards.
A COVID-19 REFERENCE GUIDE:
We have compiled a quick reference guide on what we have experienced to be the best disinfection methods for the frame material.
•• Please remember that it’s always best to contact the frame manufacturer or run a test on a part of the frame where it won’t be noticed.
We hope that this information is helpful. Please reach out anytime if you have any questions - we’re happy to help. Stay safe out there.
-Sara
