Make Your Own Inexpensive Eyeglass Cleaner

When you purchase your eyeglasses from an optician, you will most likely receive a small bottle of eyeglass cleaner solution free. When that runs out, however, you will find out just how expensive those little bottles of spray actually are. For less than ten cents, you can make your own eyeglass cleaner that is just as effective as a commercial blend. Best of all, you can re-use the spray bottle that contained your first spray.

Eyeglass Cleaner Ingredients

2 ounces 90% strength rubbing alcohol
2 ounces water
4 drops dishwashing liquid soap

Start by cleaning out your old spray pump. Fill the bottle with water and spray several times to rinse out the entire spray system. Dump water, then rinse again. Pump the spray nozzle until nothing comes out.

Add the rubbing alcohol and water together to the bottle. You can fill any size bottle of eyeglass cleaner by using a half-and-half combination of alcohol and water and adding one drop of dishwashing liquid soap per ounce of total cleaner made.

Add the 4 drops of dishwashing soap into the alcohol/water mixture. Close bottle and gently turn upside down and back several times to distribute the soap. Vigorous shaking will result in foam in the bottle.

Use the eyeglass cleaner as you would a commercial blend. Spray on both sides of the lenses, then wipe and buff with a soft cotton handkerchief.

Another great use for your homemade eyeglass cleaner is to clean windshield wipers on your car. Over time, your wipers get coated with pine sap, bugs and other detritus from driving. Rather than replace windshield wipers that won't work effectively, try cleaning them with your eyeglass cleaner. The rubbing alcohol will cut through sticky sap and the dishwashing liquid will clean off other dirt. Spray the cleaner onto a paper towel and wipe along the edge of the rubber wiper. Repeat until the paper towel comes away clean.

Tips For Proper Eyeglass Care

1. If glasses are particularly dusty or have large dirt particles on them, run them under warm water to dislodge the particles. This avoids the possibility of the dirt remaining on the eyeglass lens and scratching it. After rinsing, spray the eyeglass cleaner as above.

2. Always keep your eyeglasses in a padded case to lessen the risk of scratching or breakage.

3. Have loose arms on your glasses repaired by an optician right away. Otherwise, you may find the arm broken completely off when you can least afford to be without your glasses.