Plus, how to replace old discolored nose pads
Glasses nose pads are often overlooked when you’re cleaning, but sweat and dirt can build up on them over time. If your nose pads slip down your face or if they look visibly dirty or discolored with green residue, it’s really easy to clean them at home. We have solutions that work great no matter what your nose pads are made of or how they attach to your glasses. Keep reading, and we’ll walk you through effective ways to clean your glasses nose pads and how to replace them if they still look dirty.
Best Way to Clean Glasses Nose Pads
To clean your nose pads, gently wipe them with alcohol cleaning wipes or soapy water. If there’s residue or green buildup, then scrub the nose pads with a soft toothbrush or a cotton swab to remove it. When nose pads look discolored and won’t get clean, replace them instead.
Steps
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Wash and dry your hands. Use soap and warm water to wash your hands before touching your glasses. That way, you don’t transfer any dirt or skin oils onto your glasses while you’re trying to clean them. -
Use a pre-moistened alcohol wipes on your glasses nose pads. Small alcohol wipes work great for breaking down dirt and oils on any types of nose pads. Rub down the parts of the pads that directly touch your nose, but be careful not to wipe the lenses. [1] X Research source- Wash your hands before you start cleaning so you don’t add any new dirt, sweat, or body oil back onto your glasses.
- Some alcohol wipes can break down the coating on your glasses lenses, so only stick to cleaning the nose pads.
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Scrub between the nose pads and frames to remove residue buildup. Green gunk from old sweat and dirt can quickly build up behind the nose pads on your glasses. Use the edges of the alcohol wipe to clean in and around this section to remove as much grime as possible. [2] X Research source
- If you don't have a clean alcohol wipe or want a little bit more control when cleaning harder to reach spots, dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and gently scrub the area.
- If you’re still noticing green residue, try picking it out with the end of a toothpick.
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Soak your glasses in warm soapy water to remove any leftover grime. Fill your sink or a small bowl with warm water and stir in a few drops of lotion-free hand soap. Leave your glasses to soak for 10 to 15 minutes to help lift out any remaining dirt or grease. [3] X Research source- For really stubborn grime, you may be able to soak your glasses overnight, though this long exposure to water and shifting temperatures could damage your glasses.
- Soaking your glasses in soapy water is also a great way to clean the lenses and frames .
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Dry your glasses thoroughly with a microfiber cloth . Use a clean, soft cloth to dry your glasses all over, being careful not to smudge the lenses. Make sure to dry every nook and cranny of your glasses to prevent water from getting trapped around the lenses. [4] X Research source
- David Felsted, a comprehensive ophthalmologist, says to avoid using a shirt or other fabric to dry your classes because you could scratch off any special coatings that are on your glasses.
- Alternatively, you can wait for your glasses to air dry. This will prevent any streaks on the lenses from cloth-drying but will take much longer if you're in a rush.
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Wash and dry your hands thoroughly. Your hands accumulate a thin layer of oil and dirt throughout the day, which can be transferred to your glasses when you try and clean them. Use soap and warm water to scrub your hands clean of anything you don’t want getting on your glasses or nose pads. -
Unscrew the nose pads from your glasses. Detaching your nose pads from your glasses will allow you to clean them much more thoroughly and get rid of green residue that’s stuck inside. Look for a small screw holding each nose pad in place and carefully unscrew them with a glasses screwdriver . [5] X Research source
- Set the small screws in a bowl or dish so you don’t lose them while you’re cleaning.
- If you can’t find a way to detach your nose pads, it’s okay to leave them on while you’re cleaning. Just be extra careful around the lenses and frames so you don’t damage them by accident.
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Make a cleaning solution with hand soap and warm water. Any lotion-free hand soap works well to clean your glasses without leaving residue behind. Mix a few drops of the hand soap into a small glass of warm water until it forms suds. This will give you glasses a thorough clean and remove any green gunk without having to use a stronger solution such as rubbing alcohol. [6] X Research source
- Hand soap and warm water works well for nose pads made from any material. If you don’t have any hand soap, dish soap makes a good replacement.
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Dip a cotton swab or clean soft toothbrush into the soapy water. Either of these will let you lightly scrub your nose pads to lift away any dirt, grease, and grime without damaging them. Soak the tip of your cotton bud or toothbrush bristles so they’re fully saturated. [7] X Research source -
Brush the nose pads with the cleaning solution. Lightly scrub the nose pads to start lifting out the grime and green gunk. As dirt and oil lift up, dip your cotton swab or toothbrush back into the cleaning solution to clean it. [8] X Research source
- If you’re dealing with really stubborn residue or discoloration, mix equal parts baking soda and warm water to form a slightly abrasive paste. Dip your toothbrush or cotton swab in the paste and scrub the nose pads a little more.
- Be careful not to brush the lenses at all if the nose pads are still attached to your glasses so you don’t leave any scratches behind.
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Use rubbing alcohol for a deeper clean and disinfectant. Wet the corner of a clean cloth with rubbing alcohol and gently wipe the nose pads. The alcohol will loosen up any other residual grime or oil on your glasses as well as sanitize them. [9] X Research source
- Be careful not to get any alcohol on the lenses of your glasses because it could damage any anti-glare or scratch-resistant coating.
- If you’ve removed the nose pads from your glasses, you may also soak them in rubbing alcohol for a minute or two to loosen up the grime even more.
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Dry the nose pads with a microfibre cloth. Use a clean, soft cloth to wipe away any excess water or grime left on the nose pads. Make sure to dry them thoroughly to prevent moisture build-up on your glasses or your face. [10] X Research source- Never clean or dry your glasses with a paper towel, your clothing, or another cloth. These can leave lint and dust behind, and may even scratch your glasses.
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Reattach the nose pads. Using the same screws and screwdriver, tightly secure the nose pads back onto the frames of your glasses. Wipe away any smudges that might appear as you handle the glasses when you’re finished. [11] X Research source- If you accidentally misplace or lose the screws, get a glasses repair kit that has replacement screws you can use.
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Replace your nose pads if they’re broken or discolored. Over time, your nose pads may wear down and not fit properly, or they may have a yellow tinge if you’ve worn them for a long time. If you notice this or just want a new, clean pair of nose pads, then replacing them entirely is the way to go. -
Purchase replacement nose pads that are the same size and shape as your old ones. Nose pads can come in various sizes and shapes, such as teardrop, rectangle, circle or D-shaped. Ask at your local eye specialist or check online to find some nose pads that exactly match your current ones. They may come individually, or as part of a complete nose pad repair kit. [12] X Research source- Find the size of a nose pad by measuring along the longest part of one pad. The sizes are generally listed in millimeters.
- Replacement nose pad kits will come with all of the tools you need, including a screwdriver, new screws, a magnifying glass, and replacement nose pads. These can make the whole process very streamlined and easy to repeat in the future.
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Remove the old nose pads. Hold your glasses so that the nose pads are facing towards you. Use a small screwdriver to remove the screws holding the nose pads in place. Put the screws aside and simply pull the nose pad off to remove it. [13] X Research source- If the nose pad isn’t attached by a screw, it likely just snaps on. Use a small, flathead screwdriver to pry the old nose pads out of place, and they should easily pop out. [14] X Research source
- The same screws can be used to attach the new nose pads, but make sure they are intact and functional before doing so. Check the threading and the head for any signs of damage, and get replacements if the old ones look worn.
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Attach the new nose pads. Place the new nose pads onto the mount on your glasses. Carefully insert the screws to hold the pads in place and use the same screwdriver to tighten them. Be careful not to overtighten or damage the heads of the screw because it makes removing or replacing them more difficult. [15] X Research source
- If you have snap-on nose pads, simply rest them on the mounts on your glasses and push them until they click into place.
- If you have D-shaped nose pads, make sure they are attached so that the flat edge of the D faces away from your face.
- Use a small pair of tweezers to hold the nose pads or screws if getting them into the right place by hand is too difficult.
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Tips
- Keep a cleaning cloth handy wherever you go so you’re able to wipe your glasses when they get dirty throughout the day.Thanks
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Thanks
- If you’re not able to clean your nose pads effectively at home, take your glasses to your optometrist’s office to have them professionally cleaned.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.eyecenternwa.com/how-to-disinfect-your-glasses-and-help-prevent-covid/
- ↑ https://www.eyecenternwa.com/how-to-disinfect-your-glasses-and-help-prevent-covid/
- ↑ https://www.mcraydenton.com/8-dos-and-donts-for-cleaning-sunglasses/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/Z0pk_FbLxbk?t=42
- ↑ https://youtu.be/Y-3IpCmvXRk?t=359
- ↑ https://youtu.be/Z0pk_FbLxbk?t=22
- ↑ https://doigoptometry.com/blog/what-is-the-best-way-to-clean-a-pair-of-eyeglasses/
- ↑ https://doigoptometry.com/blog/what-is-the-best-way-to-clean-a-pair-of-eyeglasses/
- ↑ https://thevisioncouncil.org/sites/default/files/assets/media/Cleaning-Frames.pdf
- ↑ https://thevisioncouncil.org/sites/default/files/assets/media/Cleaning-Frames.pdf
- ↑ https://youtu.be/Y-3IpCmvXRk?t=499
- ↑ https://www1.allaboutvision.com/eyewear/maintenance/adjust-or-replace-eyeglass-nose-pads/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/Y-3IpCmvXRk?t=358
- ↑ https://youtu.be/QK4ROa_cowM?t=9
- ↑ https://progressive-glasses.com/how-to-change-nose-pads-on-glasses/
About This Article
Article Summary
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To clean the nose pads on your glasses, use an alcohol wipe if you’re in a hurry. Rub the wipe on the area between your nose pads and the frame, which can collect grime that needs to be removed. If the nose pads are still dirty, try soaking your glasses in a bowl of soapy warm water for 10 to 15 minutes to get rid of any excess dirt. Dry your glasses thoroughly with a microfiber cloth so water can’t get into the lenses. You can also unscrew your nose pads to clean them. If you choose to do this, make a solution out of warm water and soap, then dip a q-tip or old toothbrush into it. Lightly scrub each nose pad until the grime comes loose. Then, dry the pads with a microfiber cloth and reattach them. Remember to never use a paper towel to dry your glasses, since it can leave behind dust. For tips on when to replace your nose pads, read on!
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Reader Success Stories
- "I am glad to know I can use a small amount of rubbing alcohol on the pads we removed."
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"I am glad to know I can use a small amount of rubbing alcohol on the pads we removed."
