How to Care for Your Sunglasses So They Last a Lifetime
Even the toughest pair of sunglasses benefits from a bit of care. While carbon fibre frames are virtually indestructible, your lenses and coatings will last longer with the right maintenance habits. Here's how to keep your sunnies in top condition for years to come.
Cleaning: The Right Way
The number one cause of lens damage isn't drops or impacts — it's improper cleaning. Here's the correct method:
- Rinse under lukewarm water — This washes away grit and sand that could scratch the lens when wiped.
- Apply a small drop of dish soap — Plain dish soap (nothing with moisturisers or lotions) is the best lens cleaner. It cuts through oils and residue without damaging coatings.
- Gently rub with clean fingers — Work the soap across both sides of each lens and over the frame.
- Rinse thoroughly — Remove all soap residue.
- Dry with a clean microfibre cloth — Shake off excess water first, then gently pat or wipe dry.
What NOT to Use
These common cleaning methods actually damage your lenses:
- Paper towels or tissues — Despite feeling soft, they contain wood fibres that scratch lens coatings.
- Your shirt — Fabric can harbour grit and dirt that scratches lenses. We've all done it, but it's not ideal.
- Glass cleaner or household sprays — Many contain ammonia or other chemicals that strip anti-reflective and polarised coatings.
- Hot water — Excessive heat can warp frames and damage lens coatings.
Storage Tips
How you store your sunglasses when you're not wearing them makes a huge difference:
- Always use a case — A hard case is best, but even a microfibre pouch protects against scratches.
- Never leave them in a hot car — Dashboard temperatures can exceed 80°C in Australian summers. This can warp frames and damage lens coatings.
- Store lenses up — If you set them down without a case, place them with the lenses facing up to avoid surface scratches.
- Keep away from keys and coins — In a bag, pocket, or drawer, metal objects are the enemy of clean lenses.
Handling Best Practices
Small habits make a big difference:
- Use both hands to put on and remove — This prevents the frame from bending or loosening on one side.
- Don't push them up onto your head — This stretches the temples over time, loosening the fit.
- Hold by the frame, not the lenses — Fingerprints and oils from your skin cloud the lenses and attract dust.
Salt Water Care
If you've been at the beach or on the water, rinse your sunglasses with fresh water as soon as possible. Salt crystals left to dry on the lenses can scratch the surface, and salt residue can affect frame fittings over time.
Carbon fibre frames like the Voyager Black are naturally resistant to salt corrosion — unlike metal frames that can pit and corrode with regular saltwater exposure. But a fresh water rinse still keeps everything looking and feeling new.
When to Seek Replacement Lenses
Even with perfect care, lenses will eventually show wear. Consider replacement if:
- You notice scratches that interfere with your vision
- The anti-reflective coating begins to peel or bubble
- Colours appear washed out (indicating UV coating degradation)
With proper care, quality polarised lenses should last years. And with a lifetime warranty, your carbon fibre frames are covered for even longer.
