Essential Tips to Keep Your Oakley Sunglasses in Perfect Condition

Why Proper Cleaning Matters

Maintaining your Oakley sunglasses through proper cleaning goes beyond simple aesthetics—it plays a key role in preserving their optical performance. By taking care of your lenses, you’re ensuring that their specialized coatings remain intact and that you continue to enjoy superior visual clarity.

Protecting the Coating

Oakley lenses often feature advanced coatings such as anti-reflective, hydrophobic, and UV-protective layers. These coatings enhance the lens performance by reducing glare, repelling water, and blocking harmful UV rays. However, improper cleaning methods, like using abrasive materials or harsh chemicals, can strip away or damage these coatings, compromising the lenses’ effectiveness.

To preserve the integrity of these coatings, always use gentle, non-abrasive materials like microfiber cloths and specialized lens cleaners, which help ensure your sunglasses perform optimally for years.

Enhancing Clarity and Performance

Regular cleaning is essential for maintaining the clarity of your lenses. Smudges, dust, and oils can accumulate on the surface, impairing visibility and affecting the overall performance of your Oakleys. Whether you’re cycling, fishing, or simply driving, clean lenses offer clearer, sharper views, ensuring a better experience during your outdoor activities.

By cleaning your Oakleys properly, you ensure that they continue to provide the best possible performance, keeping your frames and eyes in top shape.

Dos and Don’ts for Cleaning Oakley Sunglasses

To maintain your Oakley sunglasses and avoid damaging them, it’s important to follow certain cleaning guidelines. Here’s a breakdown of the essential dos and don’ts:

Dos

Use a Soft Microfiber Towel

Microfiber towels are the ideal tool for cleaning Oakley lenses. Unlike standard fabrics, they are soft and non-abrasive, making them perfect for delicate surfaces. Microfiber also picks up dust and dirt without scratching the lenses.

For optimal care, use Oakley’s Microbag or Revant’s Microfiber Sunglass Bag for both cleaning and storing your glasses. Gently wipe the lenses in a circular motion, applying light pressure to avoid scratching.

Use Warm Running Water

Rinsing your lenses under warm running water helps to remove any loose dirt and debris before cleaning. This step minimizes the risk of scratches caused by particles rubbing against the lens coating.

Tip: Hold the sunglasses under the water and let it flow gently over the lenses. Avoid using hot water as it can damage the lens coating.

Use Soap

For a more thorough clean, use a mild dish soap like Dawn Dish Soap. This helps remove oils and grime without damaging the coatings. Avoid soaps with added fragrances or harsh chemicals.

Step-by-Step: Apply a small amount of soap to your fingertips, rub it gently across the lenses, and rinse thoroughly with warm water to remove all soap residue.

Read Instructions for Spray Cleaners

Lens cleaning solutions are a great option for cleaning Oakleys. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Eveo’s Eyeglass Cleaner is designed to clean your lenses without leaving streaks.

Tip: Always apply the cleaner to a microfiber cloth instead of directly to the lenses, which helps ensure even distribution and prevents oversaturation.

Don’ts

Don’t Use Your Breath and Your Shirt

While it may seem convenient to clean your sunglasses with your breath and the corner of your shirt, this can do more harm than good. The fibers of clothing can scratch the lenses, and oils from your shirt can leave streaks.

Don’t Use Dry Paper Towels or Napkins

Avoid using paper towels, napkins, or tissues to clean your Oakleys. These materials may feel soft, but they are often abrasive and can leave lint, tiny scratches, or smudges that reduce lens clarity over time.

Don’t Use Harsh Chemicals

Never use household cleaners like Windex, bleach, or ammonia on your Oakleys. These chemicals can degrade the protective coatings on the lenses, causing permanent damage.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Oakley Sunglasses

Now that you understand the dos and don’ts, let’s go through a step-by-step guide to clean your Oakley sunglasses:

Preparation

Before you start, gather your cleaning tools: a microfiber cloth, mild dish soap, warm water, and lens cleaning solution. Make sure you have a clean, flat surface to work on to avoid dropping or damaging your sunglasses.

Rinsing the Lenses

Begin by rinsing your lenses under warm running water. This removes any loose dirt or debris that could scratch the lenses during cleaning.

Tip: Gently hold the sunglasses and let the water flow over the lenses. Avoid applying unnecessary pressure.

Applying Soap

Apply a small amount of mild dish soap to your fingertips, gently rub it in circular motions across the lenses. Be thorough, but gentle, to avoid damaging the lens coatings.

Rinsing and Drying

Rinse the lenses again with warm water to ensure all soap residue is removed. Shake the sunglasses gently to remove excess water, and use a microfiber cloth to pat the lenses dry.

Using Lens Cleaning Solution

If needed, apply lens cleaning solution to a microfiber cloth and gently wipe the lenses. This helps remove any remaining smudges or stubborn spots.

Maintaining Your Oakley Sunglasses

To keep your Oakley sunglasses in prime condition, ongoing maintenance is key.

Regular Cleaning Routine

Set up a regular cleaning schedule to maintain your Oakleys. For daily use, a quick wipe with a microfiber cloth will suffice. For more thorough cleanings, follow the steps above weekly to remove oils and dirt buildup.

Proper Storage

Always store your sunglasses in a protective case, like the Oakley Soft Vault or Revant’s Keeper Sunglass Case, to protect them from scratches and dust. Keeping them in a case also prevents accidental damage.

Tip: If your lenses are damaged, consider checking out Oakley replacement lenses to restore your sunglasses to their original condition.

Handling with Care

When wearing or handling your Oakleys, be mindful not to place them face-down or expose them to extreme temperatures. This reduces the risk of accidental damage and ensures your sunglasses last longer.

Conclusion

Proper care and cleaning of your Oakley sunglasses are essential to maintaining their performance and longevity. By following the dos and don’ts, you can protect the lenses and coatings, ensuring they continue to deliver optimal clarity, comfort, and protection. Regular cleaning, correct storage, and careful handling will extend the life of your Oakleys, keeping them looking great for years to come.

With these maintenance tips, you’ll be ready to enjoy your Oakley sunglasses wherever your next adventure takes you!