# Are microfiber cloths safe for cleaning eyeglass lenses? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 1, 2007, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microfiber-cloths-safe-for-cleaning-eyeglass-lenses/421093 "2007-10-01T00:19:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2007, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microfiber-cloths-safe-for-cleaning-eyeglass-lenses/421093/1 "2007-10-01T00:19:47Z")
I know that at least one doper in another thread mentioned that he/she used microfiber cloths for cleaning lenses, but I want to know if it’s been recognized as safe by eye care professionals in conjunction with liquid lens cleaners. I.e., rinse the lenses with tap water, spray them with a cleaner, wipe them with microfiber cloth. ---
**Author:** ![bubble\_pop\_electric](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecae2f/32.png) [@bubble\_pop\_electric](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bubble_pop_electric)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2007, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microfiber-cloths-safe-for-cleaning-eyeglass-lenses/421093/2 "2007-10-01T00:20:27Z")
Yup. ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2007, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microfiber-cloths-safe-for-cleaning-eyeglass-lenses/421093/3 "2007-10-01T00:29:13Z")
[QUOTE=BarnOwl] I know that at least one doper in another thread mentioned that he/she used microfiber cloths for cleaning lenses, but I want to know if it’s been recognized as safe by eye care professionals in conjunction with liquid lens cleaners. I.e., rinse the lenses with tap water, spray them with a cleaner, wipe them with microfiber cloth. [/QUOTE] I have absolutely no idea if they have been given any sort of “stamp of approval” by any sort of professional association of eye care…professionals. I do know that I’ve used microfiber cloths for a long time and they don’t scratch or harm my glasses. I also know that anytime I’m at home the best cleaning I can get on my glasses comes from using a paper towel and Windex. The microfiber cloths are safe and get the job done when you’re somewhere without amenities, but oddly enough simple paper towels and Windex make my glasses ultra-clear and clean with no scratching. I will add that pretty much every optician or etc that I’ve ever spoken to emphatically warns that cleaning your lenses with paper products like paper towels will scratch the glasses up. I’ve been doing it for years without this happening, but I’m sure there is a reason for the warning so I wouldn’t go crazy on your own lenses with paper towels unless you’re comfortable with it. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2007, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microfiber-cloths-safe-for-cleaning-eyeglass-lenses/421093/4 "2007-10-01T04:35:24Z")
I’ve used them daily for a long time and they don’t hurt the glasses at all. I’ve never seen a stamp of approval, but I was given my cloths from my eyeglasses provider with the glasses, so that’s good enough for me. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2007, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microfiber-cloths-safe-for-cleaning-eyeglass-lenses/421093/5 "2007-10-01T04:58:55Z")
The cloth itself shouldn’t harm the lens, but any dust/sand particle on it will cause damage. And I’m suspicious whether household washing machines and dryers can get rid of all the dust. For that reason I don’t like to use any type of reusable cloth for cleaning my glasses. And I find I don’t need _any_ cloth if the lens coating is in good condition. I clean the glasses in a dilute solution of dishwashing detergent and then rinse under the tap; the water rinses away without leaving any spots. If not, canned air works well for getting rid of water drops. When I’m away from home I usually rinse the glasses under running water, then use a disposable lens wipe (wet wipe). ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2007, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microfiber-cloths-safe-for-cleaning-eyeglass-lenses/421093/6 "2007-10-01T05:59:57Z")
Minor hijack: I’ve always heard you should never use Windex or any cleaner containing ammonia on plastic lenses, as it will strip off any UV-coating that is on the lenses. Fact, or BS? I’d love to know, because Windex does a marvelous job. ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2007, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microfiber-cloths-safe-for-cleaning-eyeglass-lenses/421093/7 "2007-10-01T14:16:44Z")
[QUOTE=Rico] Minor hijack: I’ve always heard you should never use Windex or any cleaner containing ammonia on plastic lenses, as it will strip off any UV-coating that is on the lenses. Fact, or BS? I’d love to know, because Windex does a marvelous job. [/QUOTE] Me too. As a sidelight, NETFLIX says to wash DVDs with And appleciders’ post seems to have the Opticianry stamp of approval. Maybe one of them will drop in. ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2007, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microfiber-cloths-safe-for-cleaning-eyeglass-lenses/421093/8 "2007-10-01T14:22:08Z")
[QUOTE=appleciders] I’ve used them daily for a long time and they don’t hurt the glasses at all. I’ve never seen a stamp of approval, but I was given my cloths from my eyeglasses provider with the glasses, so that’s good enough for me. [/QUOTE] You don’t rinse and spray? Just wipe the dry lenses clean? AON… Incidentally, here in southern CT we have an outfit that installs shingles, vinyl sidings, etc. Their name: AppleSiders. ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2007, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microfiber-cloths-safe-for-cleaning-eyeglass-lenses/421093/9 "2007-10-01T14:29:22Z")
**Rico** … I tried to enter the word Windex at the end of the incomplete sentence in my Reply to your post. Not allowed. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2007, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microfiber-cloths-safe-for-cleaning-eyeglass-lenses/421093/10 "2007-10-01T14:58:35Z")
Last week at work I was trying to clean my glasses with a microfiber cloth and was only succeeding in smearing the oily marks all over the lens. One of my co workers said “that’s no way to clean your lenses.” I asked her how she does it and she got me to follow her to the kitchen. She rinsed them under running water, squirted a drop of washing liquid on each lense and gently washed the lens with her fingers and then rinsed off the suds. She then folded the glasses up and shook them violently up and down. She dried the frames with a paper towel but got me to put them on and let the lenses air dry. Worked like a charm and has every time I’ve done it since. ---
**Author:** ![slaphead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9bcb4/32.png) [@slaphead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slaphead)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2007, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microfiber-cloths-safe-for-cleaning-eyeglass-lenses/421093/11 "2007-10-01T15:36:54Z")
I believe anything clean, soft, absorbent and non-abrasive will clean glasses very well. The reason shirts, jumpers, handkercheifs are not recommended is that they may have sand, dirt, or similar on them which will scratch the glass or wear off any lens coatings. The issue with paper is similar - paper may contain clay etc. that is abrasive, which is why you should never use e.g. dressmaking scissors to cut paper. Microfibre cloths are fine in my experience - I usually use one with some sunglasses cleaner, but without tap water. If you never use the cloth for anything but cleaning glasses and store it in a case, it’s unlikely to pick up much grit, and they’re cheap enough that you can buy a new one every six months or so if you don’t trust your washimg machine to clean them. Or if you suffer from Greasy Eyebrow Smudge syndrome, then hot water + detergent + shake the water off will work just fine.