While you most likely clean your golf clubs, what you may have overlooked was the cleanliness of your eyewear. Whether you wear prescription sunglasses or the old pair you picked up during your last trip to the beach, don’t underestimate the impact that smudges and dirt on your lenses can have on your performance out on the golf course.

Before you give your glasses a last minute spit shine with the corner of your shirt, or rub out a thumbprint with a who-knows-how-long-that’s-been-in-your-golf-bag napkin, try our expert tips to deep clean your eyewear the right way so you can prevent accidental scratches and keep them looking great throughout the golf season.

Prepare

Before you clean your glasses, you need to make sure your hands are clean of natural oils, dirt, and germs. Then, be sure to set up a small work area. Lay down a clean microfiber cloth on a well-lit surface. Keep a bowl of lukewarm water, gentle soap or lens cleaning solution, and another clean microfiber cloth nearby. If your frames have a textured detailing or hard to reach spots, you can also use a soft-bristled toothbrush.

Wash

Submerge your frames fully in the water or under a gentle stream of lukewarm water to wash away surface particles that often leads to small scratches. It is important to ensure the water temperature isn’t too hot as hot water can damage the lens coating.

Clean

Once you have thoroughly rinsed your frames, add a light coating of soap or lens cleaning solution. The soap should be free of lotions, dyes, perfumes, or other potentially irritating ingredients. You want to use a soap that will remove the oils picked up from your skin and dirt and germs from the elements. Remember to clean not just the lenses but also the frames themselves, the nose pieces, and the arms. Use a toothbrush to gently scrub the hard-to-reach areas.

Rinse

With your frames saturated with soap or lens cleaning solution, rinse once again with clean lukewarm water to remove the soap thoroughly to avoid leaving behind a film or residue. Allow your glasses to airdry or use a lint-free towel before wiping them with the second, clean microfiber cloth.

Long-term Care

Scratches can impact your vision as well as the resistance of the lenses. For the best vision protection, it’s important to buy new lenses if you have significant scratches. Consider buying lenses with a scratch-resistant coating.

And finally, always store your glasses in a clean case and never place them face down. Heat can cause the lenses to warp or peel, so never leave your glasses in a hot place, including your car, during the summer months.

Remember: Glasses don’t last forever. If your glasses are badly scratched, or if you haven’t had an eye exam in a year, schedule one now. You’ll definitely see the difference on the green.