If your glasses look streaky, blurry or cloudy even after you clean them, you are almost certainly cleaning them wrong. Most people use their shirt, a tissue, or a quick spritz of whatever is nearby. All three damage the anti-reflective coating on modern prescription lenses, which is what makes clean glasses look clean and dirty glasses look worse.
This guide explains how to clean your glasses the right way in 2026, what to avoid, and what optometrists and coating manufacturers actually recommend. It applies to prescription glasses, reading glasses, sunglasses and blue-light glasses. The method is the same regardless of frame material or lens prescription. What matters is the coating on the lens surface.
The short version: apply an alcohol-free, ammonia-free cleaner to a clean microfibre cloth, never to the lens directly, then wipe gently with no pressure. Skip the shirt, skip the tissue, skip hot water. Why those damage your lenses is covered below.
Why glasses need a specific cleaning method
Modern prescription lenses are not raw glass or raw plastic. They carry three or four thin functional coatings on top of the lens surface, and each coating is fragile by design.
Anti-reflective coating. Almost every prescription lens sold in Australia since 2010 has an anti-reflective (AR) coating. Specsavers, OPSM, Oscar Wylee, Clearly and independent optometrists all fit AR as standard on most lens types. The coating is a multi-layer stack of thin metal oxides that reduces glare and reflections. It is vulnerable to ammonia, alcohol, abrasive materials and heat. When it fails, you see spider-web cracks in the lens that no amount of cleaning removes.
Hydrophobic top layer. A hydrophobic (water-repellent) layer sits on top of the AR coating on most premium lenses. It causes water and oils to bead up and wipe away cleanly. This layer is the reason some glasses feel smooth and others feel draggy against a cleaning cloth. It wears down over time and is the first layer to go when you clean with the wrong product.
Oleophobic layer on high-end lenses. Premium prescription lenses (Zeiss, Essilor Crizal, Hoya) add an oleophobic (oil-repellent) layer on top of the hydrophobic one. This is the same family of coating used on phone screens and has the same vulnerabilities: alcohol and ammonia strip it. Read more about oleophobic coatings and how they work.
Scratch-resistant base coat. Plastic (CR-39, polycarbonate, Trivex) lenses also have a scratch-resistant hard coat bonded to the lens material itself. This one is physical, not chemical, and wears through from abrasion rather than from cleaners. It is the reason paper products, shirt corners and tissues cause permanent damage.
Clean the lens surface, preserve the coatings, and the prescription lasts as long as the frames do. Abrade the coatings and the lenses look worse every month even though nothing in your prescription has changed.
What not to use on your glasses
Straight to the list, in rough order of how often we see each one cause damage.
Your shirt or a sleeve
Every optometrist's first tip, universally ignored. Cotton shirts, synthetic fabric, the corner of a towel, a jumper sleeve. All of them carry grit from the day (dust, skin flakes, environmental particles) and all of them are woven from fibres that scratch coatings under pressure. Using your shirt to clean your glasses is the single fastest way to scratch the AR coating, and the damage is cumulative. By the time you notice it, a year of cleaning has compounded into visible haze.
Tissues, paper towels, toilet paper
Paper products feel soft on your skin but contain wood fibres that act as an abrasive on a thin coating. This is the same problem we flag for screens, but on glasses it matters more because the coatings are physically more fragile than phone screens. Never use paper to clean glasses.
Windex and household glass cleaner
Contains ammonia. Ammonia attacks the AR coating and the hydrophobic layer directly. Using Windex on prescription lenses with AR coatings can produce visible damage within weeks of regular use, and the damage is permanent. Most optometry chains (Specsavers, OPSM, Oscar Wylee) explicitly warn against this in their aftercare paperwork.
Hand sanitiser
Typically 60 to 80 percent alcohol. The alcohol strips coatings fast. Common during and after COVID and a leading cause of prematurely failed AR coatings since 2020. Do not use hand sanitiser on your glasses, ever.
Rubbing alcohol or methylated spirits
Full-strength alcohol kills coatings even faster than hand sanitiser because there is no water dilution. If you have been doing this to remove stubborn smudges, stop. A proper glasses cleaner removes the same smudges without the coating damage.
Hot water
Hot water physically damages AR coatings. Heat causes the different layers of the coating stack to expand at different rates, which creates micro-cracks in the multi-layer structure. Lukewarm water is fine. Hot water (above roughly 40 degrees) is not.
Dishwasher, microwave, oven
Sounds ridiculous, and yet. Do not try to "sanitise" glasses by putting them in any of these. The heat and the detergents will destroy the coatings in minutes.
Vinegar, lemon juice, bicarb and other DIY hacks
Acidic and abrasive respectively. The internet is full of cleaning hacks using these. None are safe for modern AR-coated lenses. Even if they look clean short-term, the coatings are being destroyed underneath.
What to use
Two things: a dedicated cleaner that is alcohol-free and ammonia-free, and a clean microfibre cloth.
A coating-safe cleaner
WHOOSH! Screen Shine works on glasses as well as screens, because the same chemistry problem applies: a delicate oleophobic or anti-reflective coating that must not be stripped. The formula is alcohol-free, ammonia-free and non-toxic, and uses a biology-based micro-emulsion rather than a solvent to lift oils. The same bottle cleans your prescription glasses, your sunglasses, your phone, your laptop and your TV. One product, every surface in your life that has a coating on it.
For glasses use specifically, we have grouped the right products together in our glasses cleaner collection. The Pocket 8mL is the most practical size because it fits in a glasses case, a handbag or a desk drawer. For home, the Go 30mL or Duo 100mL + 8mL is the right size. If you prefer pre-moistened wipes, WHOOSH! Screen Shine Wipes are pre-saturated with the same formula in a resealable pack.
A clean microfibre cloth
Not the cloth that came with your phone case, not a microfibre cloth that has been used in the kitchen or car. A clean, dedicated glasses cloth, or a fresh WHOOSH! XL Microfibre 3-Pack if you want larger cloths and a spare. Used cloths carry grit from wherever they have been, and grit scratches coatings.
Wash microfibre cloths separately from other laundry in cold water without fabric softener. Softener leaves a residue that defeats the microfibre structure and leaves streaks on glasses.
How to clean your glasses: the step-by-step method
Takes about 90 seconds. Follow in order.
Step 1. Rinse under lukewarm water first
Hold the glasses under a gentle stream of lukewarm tap water for five to ten seconds. This rinses off loose dust and grit before any cloth touches the lens. Skipping this step drags dust across the lens under a damp cloth, which is how scratches happen. Keep the water temperature moderate; hot water damages AR coatings.
Step 2. Apply a small amount of dish soap (optional but recommended)
Optometrists often recommend a tiny drop of mild, lotion-free dish soap (a regular dishwashing liquid like Morning Fresh or Sunlight) rubbed gently between your fingertips onto each lens, then rinsed off. This lifts stubborn oils before the proper cleaner does its final pass. Avoid any dish soap with moisturiser, antibacterial additives or citrus extracts - all three can leave residue on coatings.
You can skip this step for a daily clean. It is most useful after a gym session, a day at the beach, or when you have been outside in a lot of dust.
Step 3. Shake off the excess water
Do not use a towel. Do not use a tissue. Hold the glasses and give them a gentle shake to remove excess water, then move on to the next step. Trace water is fine; it will evaporate or be absorbed by the cloth in step 5.
Step 4. Spray a clean microfibre cloth with WHOOSH! Screen Shine
Two pumps onto a clean, folded microfibre cloth. The cloth should feel lightly damp, not wet. Never spray directly onto the lens; sprayed liquid runs down into the frame around the rim where it can get trapped and cause oxidation on metal frames.
Step 5. Wipe both lenses in gentle circular motions
Hold the glasses by the frame, not by the lens. Wipe each lens in gentle overlapping circular motions with no pressure. The cloth should glide across the lens. If you can feel resistance, you are either pressing too hard or the cloth is not damp enough.
Work both sides of each lens. The inside of the lens (the side closer to your eye) collects eyelash oils and skin residue and is the side people most often miss.
Step 6. Buff dry with a dry section of the cloth
Fold the cloth to expose a dry section and pass it lightly over both lenses to remove any remaining moisture and lift residue. This is the step that produces a streak-free finish.
Step 7. Inspect in bright light
Hold the glasses up against a bright light source. Smudges, streaks and missed spots show up clearly. If anything remains, go back to step 4 with a fresh section of cloth. Do not reach for a tissue to touch up.
How to clean cloudy glasses
If your glasses look permanently cloudy or hazy even after a proper clean, the coating has degraded. There are three possibilities.
Residue buildup. Old hairspray, makeup, sunscreen or soap film can cause cloudiness that looks permanent but is actually removable. Do the dish soap rinse in step 2 of the method above, twice through, then finish with the WHOOSH! method. If the cloudiness clears up, it was residue.
Coating damage from alcohol, ammonia or heat. If the cloudiness persists after a thorough clean, the AR coating has been degraded by improper cleaning in the past. The damage is not reversible. Some optometrists offer a coating replacement service but for most prescription lenses it is more economical to replace the lens.
Old coating failure from age. AR coatings typically last two to four years before they start to degrade naturally, particularly in Australia where UV exposure is higher than in northern hemisphere markets. If your glasses are more than three years old and look cloudy, the coating has simply reached the end of its life. Time for new lenses.
Going forward, the way to prevent this is to use a proper cleaner consistently. Most "cloudy glasses" cases we see are caused by years of cleaning with the wrong product, not by age.
How WHOOSH! compares to other glasses cleaners sold in Australia
If you walk into a Chemist Warehouse or Woolworths pharmacy aisle in Australia, you will see three main options. Here is how they compare.
Bright Wipe / Clearwipe sachets. Pre-moistened single-use wipes sold in 20 and 60 packs. Convenient but the formula contains propan-2-ol (isopropyl alcohol), which strips AR and hydrophobic coatings over time. Fine for occasional use; damaging for daily use. Single-use sachets also generate significant packaging waste.
Specsavers, OPSM and independent optometrist spray bottles. Generally safer formulas because they are designed specifically for AR-coated lenses. Often sold as 250mL or 500mL spray bottles. Formula ingredients are not always disclosed but most are alcohol-free. Prices vary widely (AU$8-20 per bottle).
WHOOSH! Screen Shine. Biology-based, non-toxic, alcohol-free, ammonia-free, dye-free, fragrance-free, cruelty-free. Refillable (500mL bottle refills the smaller ones). The same product works on phones, laptops, monitors, TVs and glasses, so one bottle replaces the three or four different cleaners most households keep for different surfaces.
For a more detailed product comparison across the Australian market, see our 2026 buyer's guide to the best screen cleaner in Australia.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Windex on my eyeglasses?
No. Windex contains ammonia, which attacks the anti-reflective coating and hydrophobic layer on modern prescription lenses. Most optometry chains including Specsavers, OPSM and Oscar Wylee explicitly warn against using ammonia-based cleaners on AR-coated lenses. Regular use will produce visible permanent damage within weeks. Use a dedicated alcohol-free, ammonia-free cleaner instead.
Can I soak my glasses in soapy water?
Briefly, yes. A quick rinse under lukewarm water with a drop of mild lotion-free dish soap (then rinsed off and dried with a microfibre cloth) is a method many optometrists recommend for removing heavy residue. Do not soak glasses for extended periods; prolonged water exposure can weaken frame joints and loosen nose pads. Do not use hot water, scented or antibacterial dish soap, or any detergent with moisturiser additives.
What are the best ways to clean glasses?
The optometrist-recommended method: rinse under lukewarm water, apply a tiny drop of mild dish soap if needed, rinse again, shake off excess water, then wipe with a clean microfibre cloth dampened with a dedicated glasses or lens cleaner. Avoid tissues, paper towels, shirts, Windex, alcohol-based cleaners, hot water and DIY vinegar or lemon-juice cleaners. The full step-by-step method is earlier in this guide.
How do I get rid of blurry glasses?
Blurry glasses are usually caused by one of three things: oil and residue buildup (solved by a proper clean), coating damage from improper cleaning (not reversible, lenses need replacement), or coating age (same). Run through a full clean using the method above. If the blur persists, the coating has failed and the lenses need replacing. To prevent it happening again with the new lenses, use a proper cleaner consistently.
Is WHOOSH! safe for glasses with anti-reflective coating?
Yes. WHOOSH! Screen Shine is alcohol-free, ammonia-free and specifically formulated for the coatings used on modern displays and lenses, including anti-reflective layers. The biology-based formula lifts oils without attacking the coating underneath, which is what makes it suitable for frequent use on both screens and glasses. It is not suitable for Apple's Nano-texture glass displays or camera lenses; for those, use the product recommended by the manufacturer.
Can I use WHOOSH! on sunglasses?
Yes. Sunglasses typically carry the same anti-reflective and hydrophobic coatings as prescription glasses, plus an additional polarising film layer on polarised lenses. WHOOSH! is safe for all of these. Polarised sunglasses in particular benefit from a non-solvent cleaner because the polarising film can be damaged by repeated alcohol exposure.
Can I use glasses cleaner on my phone screen?
If the glasses cleaner is alcohol-free and ammonia-free (like WHOOSH!), yes. If it contains propan-2-ol, isopropyl alcohol, ethanol or ammonia (like Bright Wipe or Clearwipe wipes), no. Many pharmacy glasses cleaners are formulated for quick cleaning rather than long-term coating safety, and using them on phone screens accelerates oleophobic coating wear.
Can I use contact lens solution to clean my glasses?
No. Contact lens solutions are saline-based and formulated for soft lenses that sit on the surface of the eye. They contain preservatives and pH buffers that are not appropriate for AR-coated glass or plastic lenses and can leave residue on the coatings.
How often should I clean my glasses?
Daily, if you wear them every day. A proper clean takes 90 seconds and extends coating life significantly compared to occasional intensive cleaning. WHOOSH! is designed for daily use without coating damage.
How long do anti-reflective coatings last?
Typically two to four years with proper care, less in environments with high UV exposure (Australia, tropical climates, outdoor occupations). Cleaning with the wrong product can shorten coating life dramatically, often to under twelve months. Once the coating fails, the lens cannot be restored and needs to be replaced.
The bottom line
Your glasses look blurry because the coating is being damaged by whatever you are cleaning them with. Use a proper alcohol-free, ammonia-free cleaner applied to a clean microfibre cloth, skip the shirt and the tissue, and the coatings will last as long as the frames do.
For everyday use, the WHOOSH! Pocket 8mL fits in a glasses case and covers daily cleaning. For home, the Duo 100mL + 8mL gives you a desk-sized bottle and a spare for travel. Both ship same-day from North Ryde, NSW on orders placed before 2pm, and the same formula cleans your phone, laptop, monitor and TV.
If you want to see all the WHOOSH! products suited for glasses cleaning in one place, browse our glasses cleaner collection. For an entire household of glasses and screens, the 500mL Refillable Screen Shine is the best value. For pre-moistened convenience, WHOOSH! Screen Shine Wipes are pre-saturated with the same formula.
Related guides
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What is oleophobic coating?
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Best screen cleaner in Australia (2026 buyer’s guide)
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How to clean your iPhone and iPad screen
Apple-approved method, what Apple stores actually use, and how to avoid coating damage from sanitiser.
