How To Care for Your Prescription Safety Glasses: Cleaning, Storage, and Scratch Prevention

Prescription safety glasses are more than a fashion accessory or basic eyewear. They’re an investment in your eyesight when you are working with potentially hazardous materials or debris. These glasses protect your eyes from flying objects, chemicals, or other hazards when you’re working, while helping you see your work clearly.

Whether you rely on them in a workshop, as all-day wear in a busy industrial plant, or use them while you’re crafting at home, keeping your prescription safety glasses in good shape will help you see better while protecting your eyes from potential hazards.

Daily Cleaning Routine

When you’re at work, dust, debris, and dirt can accumulate on your lenses, making it harder to see. In active environments, that can mean you have to clean your glasses more often. To do so, you’ll want to have a couple of specialized tools on hand, such as:

Microfiber cloths

These soft cloths wipe lenses clean without causing streaks that can blur your vision.

Pre-moistened lens wipes

Designed for glasses, these are convenient if you get substances on the safety glasses that are harder to remove with a simple cloth.

Cleaning solutions and lens sprays

These are for use on glasses to remove oil, smudges, and other issues without damaging the lenses.

Always implement the proper cleaning process. Follow this step-by-step guide to clean your lenses safely so they remain undamaged:

STEP 1: Wash your hands

This will remove skin oil, dirt, or debris.

STEP 2: Rinse your glasses

Place them under lukewarm water to remove larger particles that could scratch the lenses.

STEP 3: Apply a small amount of lens cleaning spray to each lens

This will lubricate the lens and loosen debris so you can wipe it away.

STEP 4: Use a cloth to wipe away debris

Use a microfiber cloth to gently wipe in circular motions. If there is still any hard debris, run the lenses under water again to loosen it without scratching the lenses.

STEP 5: Look through the lenses in good light

Doing this will help you determine if you need to clean them again to remove smudges.

Proper Storage

Glasses can easily be damaged if they’re not stored properly. Here’s how to store safety glasses so they last.

How To Care for Safety Glasses: Get a Hard Case

The best way to carry your safety glasses and prevent damage is with a hard case. A hard case prevents damage if you drop your glasses or if they come into contact with pressure or sharp objects. While some people carry their glasses loose in their bags or on a toolbelt, it is much more likely that those glasses will be scratched or broken.

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Be Considerate of Environmental Factors

Another thing to remember is to be considerate of the environment around you. Heat, humidity, and impact can all damage your safety glasses. Avoid leaving your glasses in a hot car (this can warp the frame or lenses as well as damage the coatings on the lenses). Keep your glasses out of humidity when possible, since moisture promotes mold growth and can potentially also damage the lens coatings.

As for impacts, keep your glasses in their hard case and avoid leaving them on unstable surfaces. Drops can lead to cracks.

Scratch Prevention Tips

Scratches damage your investment in prescription safety glasses and make it harder to see. To prevent them:

Handle your glasses with clean hands

Oil or debris can damage lenses.

Hold your glasses by the frame, not the lenses

Avoid touching the lenses to prevent damage.

Always place your glasses down lens-side up, and never rest them on their lenses

When you place your glasses on the lenses, there is a greater risk of scratches or chips occurring.

Consider opting for anti-scratch coatings

Modern lens technology can make your lenses more durable if you opt for the right coatings. At RX-Safety, you can always upgrade your prescription safety glasses with coatings that will extend their life, clarity, and durability.

See more about safety frames and the markings you may have on yours (such as Z87 for impact protection that meets the ANSI Z87.1 standard).

Protect Your Prescription Safety Glasses With RX-Safety

Taking a few extra minutes each day to care for your prescription safety glasses makes it possible to keep them clear and like new for longer. By cleaning them with the right tools, storing them properly, and applying scratch-prevention tips, you’ll protect both your vision and your investment.

For advanced lens coatings, hard case storage options, or replacement eyewear, RX-Safety has what you need to protect your investment and upgrade your lenses with the coatings that work best for your environment.