Your safety glasses are only as good as their condition. Scratched lenses reduce visibility, damaged frames compromise fit, and degraded coatings fail to provide protection. Yet many workers neglect basic eyewear maintenance, significantly reducing both the effectiveness and lifespan of their safety glasses. This guide covers everything you need to know about keeping your safety glasses in optimal condition.
Why Maintenance Matters
Proper maintenance isn't just about making your glasses last longerāit's a safety issue. Consider these consequences of poor eyewear care:
- Scratched lenses reduce visibility, causing eye strain and potentially obscuring hazards
- Dirty lenses encourage frequent removal for wiping, leaving eyes temporarily unprotected
- Damaged frames may not fit properly, creating gaps through which debris can enter
- Degraded coatings lose their anti-fog, anti-scratch, or UV protection properties
- Weakened materials may fail under impact, potentially shattering when protection is needed most
Even well-maintained safety glasses don't last forever. If lenses are deeply scratched, frames are cracked or bent, or the glasses no longer fit securely, replace them immediately regardless of their age.
Daily Cleaning Routine
Cleaning your safety glasses should be part of your daily routine, ideally at the start and end of each shift, and whenever visibility becomes compromised.
The Right Way to Clean Safety Glasses
- Rinse first: Before wiping, rinse your lenses under clean running water. This removes abrasive particles that could scratch the lens during cleaning.
- Apply cleaner: Use a cleaning solution specifically designed for eyewear, or a mild dish soap diluted in water. Avoid harsh chemicals, ammonia-based cleaners, or household glass cleaners.
- Gently rub: Using your fingertips, gently rub both sides of each lens and the entire frame. Pay attention to the nose pads and temple tips where oils and sweat accumulate.
- Rinse thoroughly: Remove all soap residue with clean running water.
- Dry properly: Shake off excess water and dry with a clean, lint-free microfibre cloth. Avoid paper towels, tissues, or your shirtāthese can scratch lenses.
The most common cause of lens scratches is dry wiping. Always rinse your lenses before wiping to remove abrasive particles that would otherwise be rubbed across the lens surface.
Products to Avoid
Some common cleaning products can damage safety glasses:
- Window cleaners: Many contain ammonia, which can damage lens coatings
- Acetone or nail polish remover: Can dissolve plastic frames and coatings
- Bleach or harsh disinfectants: May damage frames and degradeanti-fog coatings
- Abrasive cleaners: Will scratch polycarbonate and other plastic lenses
- Hot water: Can warp plastic frames and damage coatings
Keep a small bottle of lens cleaning spray and a microfibre cloth in your work kit. This makes proper cleaning convenient and reduces the temptation to use your shirt or other unsuitable materials.
Proper Storage
How you store your safety glasses when not in use significantly affects their longevity. Follow these guidelines:
Use a Protective Case
A hard or semi-rigid case protects your glasses from impacts, prevents scratches, and keeps them clean when not in use. Many quality safety glasses come with a caseāuse it. If yours didn't, purchase a suitable case separately.
Store Lenses Up
If you must set glasses down without a case, place them with the lenses facing up. Placing glasses lens-down on any surface risks scratching, even if the surface appears clean.
Avoid Extreme Temperatures
Don't leave safety glasses on your dashboard, near heaters, or in direct sunlight for extended periods. High temperatures can warp plastic frames, damage lens coatings, and degrade materials that provide impact protection.
Keep Away from Chemicals
Store safety glasses away from solvents, fuels, and other chemicals that may release vapours. Even airborne chemical exposure can degrade plastic components over time.
Handling Your Glasses
Small habits in how you handle safety glasses can significantly extend their life:
- Use both hands: Remove and put on glasses using both hands on the temples. This prevents frame twisting and keeps lenses aligned.
- Don't rest on your head: Placing glasses on top of your head stretches the temples and may bend the frame.
- Clean hands first: Before handling, ensure your hands are free of oils, greases, or abrasive particles.
- Never touch lenses: Handle glasses by the frame only. Fingerprints on lenses require additional cleaning and can leave oils that degrade coatings.
- Don't use as a hair band: Similarly, don't use your safety glasses to push back hairāthis stretches frames and transfers hair oils to the glasses.
Maintaining Anti-Fog Properties
Anti-fog coatings require special care to maintain effectiveness. Improper cleaning can strip away these coatings, reducing or eliminating their anti-fog properties.
For glasses with anti-fog coatings:
- Follow the manufacturer's specific cleaning instructions
- Use only approved cleaning solutions
- Avoid abrasive cloths or excessive rubbing
- Don't use solvents or ammonia-based cleaners
- Consider reapplying anti-fog spray if the coating degrades
Inspection and Replacement
Regular inspection helps you identify problems before they compromise your protection. Develop a habit of checking your glasses weekly, looking for:
Lens Issues
- Scratches that affect vision
- Cracks, chips, or pitting
- Discolouration or cloudiness
- Coating deterioration (visible peeling or flaking)
- Distortion when looking through the lens
Frame Issues
- Cracks in the frame material
- Loose or missing screws
- Bent or misaligned temples
- Worn or missing nose pads
- Stretched temples that no longer hold glasses securely
Your safety glasses have been involved in an impact event, even if no damage is visible. The internal structure may be compromised, reducing protection against future impacts. When in doubt, replace them.
Extending Lens Life
While all lenses eventually need replacement, proper care can significantly extend their useful life:
- Choose quality: Invest in safety glasses with durable anti-scratch coatings. The initial cost is often offset by longer replacement intervals.
- Use a lanyard: Safety glasses lanyards keep glasses accessible and reduce the chance of dropping them or setting them in unsafe locations.
- Clean regularly: Dirt and debris left on lenses can scratch them during wear. Regular cleaning prevents this accumulation.
- Avoid harsh environments: When not in use, keep glasses away from dust, chemicals, and temperature extremes.
- Rotate pairs: Having two pairs of safety glasses and alternating between them gives each pair time to dry completely between uses, which can extend coating life.
Creating a Maintenance Schedule
Consider implementing the following maintenance schedule:
- Daily: Quick clean at start and end of shift; wipe as needed during work
- Weekly: Thorough cleaning including frame and nose pads; visual inspection
- Monthly: Check screws and make adjustments; assess overall condition
- As needed: Replace glasses showing significant wear or damage
Conclusion
Taking care of your safety glasses isn't complicated, but it does require consistent attention. A few minutes of daily maintenance can extend the life of your eyewear significantly while ensuring optimal visibility and protection. Remember: your safety glasses can only protect your eyes if they're in good condition. Make maintenance a habit, and your glasses will serve you well.
For more guidance on safety eyewear, see our Beginner's Guide to Safety Glasses or learn about choosing anti-fog safety glasses.