How to Clean Gunnar Glasses: A Step-by-Step Care Guide

The best way to clean Gunnar glasses is to rinse them with room-temperature water to remove abrasive dust, then gently wash them with a small drop of mild dish soap using your fingertips. Rinse thoroughly and dry them with a clean microfiber cloth. Never use paper towels, clothing, or household glass cleaners like Windex, as these will permanently damage the proprietary lens coatings.

Why Proper Cleaning Matters

Gunnar glasses use specific lens technologies to block blue light and reduce glare. These lenses are often coated with anti-reflective layers that are more sensitive than standard uncoated plastic.

If you dry-wipe a dusty lens with your t-shirt, you are essentially rubbing sandpaper across that coating. Over time, this creates a haze of micro-scratches that makes the glasses harder to see through, defeating the purpose of reducing eye strain.

The Deep Clean Method (Soap and Water)

For a thorough clean that removes facial oils, makeup, and sticky residue, follow this process. This is the safest method recommended for 2026 lens technology.

1. Rinse with Room-Temperature Water

Run your glasses under the tap. The water should be lukewarm or room temperature. Do not use hot water. High heat can warp the frames and cause the lens coatings to crack or craze (develop spiderweb-like fractures).

2. Apply Mild Dish Soap

Place a tiny drop of lotion-free dish soap on your fingertips. Avoid soaps with "moisturizing beads" or heavy citrus scents, as these additives can leave a smeary film on the lens.

3. Rub Gently

Lather the soap on both sides of the lenses. Don't forget the frame arms and the nose bridge, where sweat and oil accumulate. Be gentle; you don't need to scrub hard to lift the oils.

4. Rinse and Dry

Wash away all soap suds. Shake off the excess water, then dry the lenses with a dedicated microfiber cloth. Ensure the cloth itself is clean; a dirty cloth will just smear grease back onto the lens.

The Daily Maintenance Routine

You don't need to wash your glasses in the sink every time you spot a smudge. For quick touch-ups during a gaming session or workday, use a dry, clean microfiber cloth.

Blow on the lenses first to dislodge any large dust particles. Then, use a circular motion to wipe away fingerprints. If the smudge is stubborn, use a spray specifically designed for coated eyeglass lenses—never use rubbing alcohol.

Cleaning the Nose Pads

The nose pads are often the dirtiest part of any eyewear. Current research indicates that a mixture of copper salts in the frame coating, combined with sweat and skin oils, can create a "green grime" buildup on the pads.

To clean this:

• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or a cotton swab.
• Dip it in your soapy water mixture.
• Gently scrub the crevices around the nose pads and hinges.
• Rinse thoroughly to prevent skin irritation.

5 Things That Will Ruin Your Gunnars

Most damage to blue light glasses is self-inflicted. Avoid these five common cleaning mistakes to keep your gear in top condition.

1. Paper Products: Paper towels, tissues, and napkins are made of wood pulp. They are abrasive and will scratch your lenses immediately.
2. Clothing: Your shirt likely carries dust or grit. Wiping your glasses with your hem is the fastest way to get micro-scratches.
3. Household Cleaners: Windex and surface cleaners contain ammonia or other harsh chemicals that strip away anti-reflective coatings.
4. Rubbing Alcohol: While great for disinfecting surfaces, alcohol is too harsh for optical coatings and can weaken plastic frames over time.
5. Spit: It’s not effective, it’s not sanitary, and it usually just smears the oil around rather than cleaning it.

When to Replace Your Glasses

Even with perfect care, lens coatings eventually degrade. If you notice a permanent haze, peeling along the edges, or scratches that distort your vision, it is time to replace them. Straining to see through damaged lenses causes more eye fatigue than not wearing them at all.

If you find yourself needing a replacement often due to durability issues, you might want to look at alternatives with reinforced coatings, such as Liminal Glasses. High-quality acetate frames and industrial-grade coatings can often withstand the daily wear and tear of a heavy workload better than standard polycarbonate options.