How to Get the Most Out of Your Sunglasses

A good pair of sunglasses is an investment — one you want to pay off long down the road. But do you know how to get the most out of your sunglasses? It pays to start with a pair that’s designed to be worry-free. At Maui Jim, our polarized sunglasses feature a proprietary scratch-resistance treatment on both the front and back, along with special lens coatings that repel grease, shed water and snow, and make it easy to wipe away smudges and fingerprints. They’ll stay in excellent condition for years if you remember these five caveats:

Cleaning matters. Washing your sunglasses regularly doesn’t just remove those annoying spots and smudges. It also helps get rid of the dirt and particles that cause scratches. Try to give your new pair a simple cleaning once day. It doesn’t require much — just rinse in warm water. Add a mild liquid dish soap if water alone won’t clean the lens surface.

So does drying. Paper towels, napkins, tissues and other paper-based products are a no-no because they can scratch the lens. Instead, use a soft, absorbent cloth like the clean cloth included with every pair of Maui Jim polarized sunglasses. Throw your clean cloth in the washing machine (no fabric softener) every so often to keep it free of debris, dirt and oils.

Hard water isn’t your friend. If you wear your sunglasses in the pool, you may notice white spots on the lenses. They’re caused by hard water, which contains high levels of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium. (Salt water has a similar effect.) The good news is, you don’t have to stay out of the pool or ocean. Just be diligent about cleaning your sunglasses using filtered (tap) water.

Neither is heat. Your sunglasses come with a protective case for several reasons — and keeping them out of extreme temperatures is one of them. Expose your lenses and frames to too much heat and they can deteriorate or bend out of shape. Rather than leaving your sunglasses on the dashboard of your car or anywhere else temperatures rise quickly, pop them in the case instead.

Be aware of hidden dangers. You may think your home is a safe zone, but a number of common household products contain chemicals that can damage your sunglasses — think nail polish remover, glass cleaner, hair sprays with methylene, chlorine and glue. Keep your sunglasses off and in their case whenever you’re handling these items.

Do you need a replacement or backup clean cloth or protective case to keep your Maui Jim polarized sunglasses in pristine condition? We offer care kits, clean cloths, cases and retainer cords to help you get the most out of your sunglasses.

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