Subscribe to the Blog

By checking the box below you consent to receive marketing communications from PEL. Your data will be stored securely and not shared with third-parties. If you would like to manage your subscriptions please do so in the email that will follow.

How To Clean Glasses - Prevent COVID-19 Without Damaging Eyewear

How to clean glasses
Posted by David Li on 19 March 2020

Optical stores worldwide are going through uncertain times at the moment. Many of our customers have asked us how to clean glasses and frames to both disinfect and not cause damage in the process. In this article, we outline the best ways to disinfect eyewear properly without damaging the lenses of frames in the process as we do it in the laboratory.

Several of PEL’s clients ranging from Optical shops to large eyewear distributors, have asked us what the proper way is to clean glasses and frames without causing damage. The concern is that alcohol or chemical detergents could cause damage to the frames or lenses. Secondly, they require a cleaning method that effectively kills any germs that could spread the COVID-19 virus or any other virus for that matter. 

PEL has tried and tested methods of cleaning and sterilizing eyewear, which is now a compulsory requirement in China. 

 

If you’re unsure whether your supplier is adhering to these precautions, please get in touch with PEL. 

 

How To Clean Eyewear Effectively

How to clean glasses

Step 1: Clean Eyewear with Soap and Water

 

Recent studies proved that soap and water kill off germs and bacteria better than hand sanitizer, bleach, or clean alcohol. So, the best place to start is to wash your eyewear under water with a good quality soap for at least 20 seconds. Soap and water don’t damage glasses, and you’ll clean your hands in the process. Here’s a brief video of the process:






Step 2: Put Eyewear in a UV Sterilizer (3-5 Minutes)

UV-C light is a short-wavelength, ultraviolet light that breaks apart germ DNA, leaving it unable to function or reproduce. In other words, UV-C light is germicidal (UV-A and UV-B light are not). UV-C can even neutralize “superbugs” that have developed a resistance to antibiotics, like COVID-19. 

There are relatively inexpensive but effective UV Sterilizers available online, starting from as little as $49.99. Examples of these can be found here:

Amazon - PhoneSoap 3 UV Smartphone Sanitizer & Universal Charger

These are just examples of products, and PEL doesn’t directly endorse these or profit from the sale of any of these items. Make sure you buy a high-quality product that does what the label reads.

In a previous article How to Prevent Eyewear Shipments from Carrying COVID-19 Infection PEL General Manager Zenobia Chan demonstrates how Eyewear manufacturers can disinfect eyewear shipments:

 




The two steps mentioned above should provide your customers with the cleanest, disinfected eyewear on the market and ease of mind. 

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to Contact PEL Directly.


PEL Brochure

Share To Your Network

Mr. David Li, Manager, with over 16 years of experience in eyewear testing industry. Technical accessor of China National Accreditation Service. Trainer on Eyewear International Standards to Eyewear manufacturers.

More Articles by David Li

Recent Blogs