This article is about how you can make your own eyeglass cleaner using Isopropyl Alcohol. Learn how to mix it for several other applications and use it safely around your home.
You may have found yourself in a situation where you have just run out of eyeglass cleaner or those little paper tissues you clean your glasses with. This can be a real issue when you work at the computer and use glasses. Suddenly, you see blurry patches on the screen and think it is your eyes… But no, your eyelashes have put a smudge on the inside of your glasses, or you have rubbed your eyes or whatever.
My eyeglasses became smudged just one too many times, so I have now armed myself with a DIY solution! It is ready when I need it.
Here is what you need to have handy in your desk drawer or computer bag.
*Ingredients you will need to make and use the eyeglass cleaner.
- 70% Isopropyl Alcohol, aka Rubbing Alcohol
- 1 cup of water
- One drop of dish soap
- 1 or 2 Purchased soft cloths made especially for cleaning eyeglasses. These won’t scratch your lenses. This is important, especially if your glasses have a special coating. Find the squares of cloth in optical stores.
- 1 Zip-Lock Plastic Bag to store the special eyeglass cleaning cloths to keep them clean between washing. Always wash the cloths separately so they don’t pick up any grit from other things.
- 1 or 2 miniature spray bottles.
Contents for the two Miniature Spray Bottles:
- Bottle 1
- Add one drop of dish soap to 1 cup of water. Add 1/3 70% Isopropyl Alcohol. Fill a small spray bottle 2/3 full.
- Cover and shake.
- This solution is used when your glasses are pretty smudgy from time to time to clean any greasy smudges.
- Bottle 2
- Fill a small spray bottle with only 70% Isopropyl Alcohol.
- Use this anytime to freshen up your eyeglasses.
- Let the alcohol evaporate completely before using your glasses; it takes only 60 seconds.
You can also use the spray bottle of pure rubbing alcohol and a soft cloth or tissue to clean smudges off your cell phone screen.
Now and then, you will want to run your eyeglasses under the warm water tap and, using a few drops of dish soap, give your glasses a really good cleaning. Then dry with a soft cloth. It helps to spray Bottle 2 with only the Isopropyl Alcohol. Dry well. I have also used a hairdryer to avoid streaks in the lenses after running under the tap. This way, you can avoid touching the lenses with good results.
Keep your special Glass Polishing cloths clean.
A good tip is to have three of four eyeglass cleaning cloths on hand. These can become somewhat dirty from any oils you may have on your hands. When I notice a cloth is losing its ability to dry my glasses to a smudge-free clarity, I put it aside and use another.
I have tried various methods for washing eyeglass cloths. Here are several.
- By hand with a small amount of dish soap and vinegar. Avoid touching other surfaces where they may pick up any gritty particles. Hang to dry on a clothes hangar.
- In the washing machine with other delicate items. Use laundry soap. Dry in a clothes dryer.
- I have found the best method is to wash with laundry soap and other delicate items instead of drying them in the dryer. Rinse in a small amount of rubbing alcohol and drip dry on a clothes hangar.
Isopropyl Alcohol is a volatile, flammable liquid with a clear and colorless appearance. It has a pungent odor and produces vapors due to its fast-drying properties.
Make sure to use Isopropyl Alcohol safely
Find other uses for Isopropyl Alcohol here.
- Be sure to use these safety tips.
- Do not use Isopropyl Alcohol on deep wounds.
- Do not ingest or apply it to organs or openings in the body’s lower extremities.
- Not to be taken internally. Do not drink, eat or ingest.
- Since Isopropyl Alcohol is sold in containers, you must pour it to mix or use it. Therefore, do not handle it in the kitchen or near any food sources to eliminate the risk of ingesting any. The best place for handling is in the laundry room or bathroom.
Bonus Beauty Tip
Did you know that the culinary herb, Rosemary, is not only tasty in chicken and turkey roasts, but the oils have healthful properties also?
Rosemary Oil can help treat Respiratory issues, Promote hair re-growth, and is good for the tummy when a drop or two are rubbed into the skin along with other neutral oils, like avocado oil.
Rosemary Oil is antimicrobial and just two drops added to warm water is an effective mouth refresher.
