Homeowner Forum / Cleaning / August 2003

I've had glasses for over 30 years.  Found good old-fashioned shampoo (after
it's been lathered up on the head) to work very well.  Don't use it
straight, as it will smear.

I use water with maybe 20% rubbing alcohol and a couple of drops of
dishwashing detergent in a plastic bottle such as dishwashing detergent
comes in.

For wiping, I keep my worn-out cotton athletic socks.  They have lots of
absorbant surface and I can throw them into the washer with other
laundry.

To see an oily smear, I clean glasses over something that reflects
almost no light.  An oatmeal box lined with black paper or painted flat
black inside is an example.  You tilt the box away from any light so
that the bottom looks very black.  If you hold your glasses over the box
in the light, smears on the lenses should show clearly against the black
background.