How to get sunscreen smudges off sunglasses?

[Princesca]

This summer I faithfully used a Zinc-based sunscreen, but unfortunately it seems to have left smudges on my slightly-mirrored sunglasses that don't come off just with polishing. Does anyone know the best way to remove this? Can it even be removed or do I just need new glasses?

 

[Micca]

I'd try some warm water with a mild dish soap. Get them soapy and rub the lenses with your fingers(not fingernails!) and rinse. Dry with microfiber cloth. If that doesn't remove the smudges it's time for new shades.

 

[Moliphino]

I have a microfiber cloth that works great at getting off most stuff. Aside from that, dish soap or glasses cleaner.

 

[kanerf]

Pick up some alcohol wipes at the drug store. These are for folks that are injecting insulin or whatever, but a box of 100 is usually under $3. These work well at cleaning off greasy stuff.

 

[Princesca]

I'd try some warm water with a mild dish soap. Get them soapy and rub the lenses with your fingers(not fingernails!) and rinse. Dry with microfiber cloth. If that doesn't remove the smudges it's time for new shades.

Aw man, guess it's time for new shades. That didn't work

 

[Princesca]

Pick up some alcohol wipes at the drug store. These are for folks that are injecting insulin or whatever, but a box of 100 is usually under $3. These work well at cleaning off greasy stuff.

This didn't work either. I think they're dead.

 

[bcla]

Zinc oxide is really nasty and has a habit of sticking to everything and not coming off. Plus it has this weird odor. I'm not sure about alcohol on shades - especially if there's any kind of coating on them that might be damaged from solvents. The best you can do is like others suggested - to use water and maybe some detergent/soap and use a soft microfiber meant for use on eyewear.

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

take them to a sunglass hut. I swear the people there love cleaning glasses

 

[GreatLakes]

I only wear zinc oxide sunscreen and get it on my running sunglasses all summer long. Dish soap and warm water always gets it off. If that isn't working I can't think of anything else. Maybe a little Goo Gone since that gets everything and then the dish soap to get the Goo Gone removed.

 

[Jillpie]

If you're a Costco member, go straight to the vision center and pick up their 5.00 solution with microfiber cloth. It lasts forever and you can refill the solution for free.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Dawn worked for the seabirds so I use it for almost everything quirky like this and even if it takes a few tries it always wins.

 

[Princesca]

I wrote the manufacturer to ask for ideas and they volunteered to send me a new pair. Hooray! Knockaround - great company.

 

[Micca]

I wrote the manufacturer to ask for ideas and they volunteered to send me a new pair. Hooray! Knockaround - great company.

That's awesome! Now you can try all the dangerous stuff that might destroy your current pair to see if anything works. I thought the Goo Gone idea was worth a shot, but I also thought it might strip the tinting off the lenses.

 

[Princesca]

That's awesome! Now you can try all the dangerous stuff that might destroy your current pair to see if anything works. I thought the Goo Gone idea was worth a shot, but I also thought it might strip the tinting off the lenses.

You know, honestly, I'm wondering if it was saltwater. I tried not to get them wet but they are all splotchy along where the lens meets the frame, which makes me wonder if that's where saltwater pooled.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I wrote the manufacturer to ask for ideas and they volunteered to send me a new pair. Hooray! Knockaround - great company.

Can't beat that for service. Great customer service. Sounds like Amazon type CS.

 

[NotUrsula]

My best method for cleaning glasses (in a very blind family!), is Dawn dish soap and hot tap water. Dribble Dawn on both sides of the lenses and rub it very around very thoroughly with your fingertips, then rinse in hot running tap water (not boiling hot, but as warm as your regular tap will go.) The soap comes off fast, and the bonus is that you don't even have to dry the lenses afterward; the warmth will cause the water to evaporate very quickly, leaving a perfectly streak-free, lint-free lens.

I wouldn't use Goo Gone; very likely to damage the lens coating.