Prep first
Before you start
- Put on gloves before you touch the glasses.
- Brush loose mold off outdoors if you can, so spores don't spread indoors.
- Dry the glasses and case completely before anything else.
Mold on glasses shows up as a film when a pair has sat somewhere damp, since the growth depends on moisture. You can clear the lenses and frame at home without taking the pair apart. Whether the frame is metal or plastic changes which card you'll want, so check that first.
Wipe the lenses with a soft cloth first, since fresh film lifts far more easily than dried film. Removing fungus from lens without opening the frame is a gentle job, so skip anything abrasive. If the film keeps coming back, check the case and the humid room the glasses sit in.
Before you start
What eyeglasses can take
Safe to use1
- Water
Use with care2
- Hot water
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
Avoid2
- Scrubbing and abrasives
- Heat, once the stain is out
6 items
What you'll need
Tap an item to get it on Amazon, or tick what you already have.
- Disposable glovesKeeps spores off your hands (opens Amazon)
- Soft brushLifts the dust before any wiping (opens Amazon)
- Lens wipeCleans lenses in circles without a tissue (opens Amazon)
- Mild dishwashing liquidFor the frame, mixed with warm water (opens Amazon)
- Soft clothCleans and dries the frame (opens Amazon)
- Plastic or nylon padOnly for a spot that won't lift with the cloth (opens Amazon)
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5 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 5
Brush off the dust first
Put on gloves before you touch the glasses, since you'll be handling spores. Brush the dust off both lenses with a soft brush, outdoors if you can, so the spores don't scatter through the house. Keep the frame still while you brush so the dust doesn't get pushed into the mold.
Step 2 of 5
Wipe each lens with a lens wipe
Hold each lens and wipe it in small circles with a lens wipe, working over the whole surface until the cloth comes away clean. Turn the wipe to a clean side as it gets dirty, and use a fresh one for the second lens.
Step 3 of 5
Clean the frame with mild soap
If mold has reached the frame, wipe it with a soft cloth dampened with mild dishwashing liquid and warm water. Keep the soapy cloth away from the lenses, then go over the frame once more with a clean damp cloth to lift any soap.
Step 4 of 5
Try a plastic or nylon pad
If a spot on the frame still shows after the soap, scrub it lightly with a plastic or nylon pad, moving in one direction. Use only light pressure and stop as soon as the spot lifts.
Step 5 of 5
Dry and store them dry
Dry the lenses and frame completely with a clean soft cloth before you put the glasses on or away. Store them in a dry case, not in a damp bathroom or a bag that stays wet. Wet areas dried within 24 to 48 hours usually won't grow mold, so get them dry the same day.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for mold on eyeglasses
Pick a soft brush and a lens wipe for the lenses, and a plain mild dishwashing liquid for the frame. Keep a plastic or nylon pad on hand only for stubborn spots.
Amazon Basics Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
How we picked these: each product is made for this type of stain, its maker doesn't warn against using it on eyeglasses, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished the steps? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely and check it again in good light. Here is what done looks like:
How to tell it's really gone →A faint mark usually needs one more round, not a stronger product.
Heavy buildup usually takes more than one round.
Heavy or long-standing buildup →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
The lenses look clear through the wipe, with no fuzzy or gray marks when you tilt them toward the light. The frame looks even and dry, with no spot that brightens when you wipe it.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your eyeglasses
Metal frames
Metal frames take the same soft cloth and mild dishwashing liquid, but dry them right away so no water sits in the joints or hinges. Work the cloth gently over the spot and check the frame in good light before you call it clean.
If a faint mark stays after drying, rest the frame for a minute and go over it once more with a clean damp cloth rather than pressing harder.
Plastic frames
Plastic frames take the same soft cloth and mild dishwashing liquid, followed by a rinse with a clean damp cloth. Dry them straight after, so no moisture stays near the hinges.
Flexible plastic bends easily, so hold the frame at the front rather than the arms while you clean. Keep the pressure light, and don't twist the frame to reach a spot.
Eyeglass case
The case can hold damp against the glasses, so it's worth cleaning as well. Turn it inside out, wipe the inside with a cloth dampened with mild dishwashing liquid and warm water, and let it air dry fully.
Leave the case open overnight, and don't put the glasses back in until both are dry. Check the lenses again after a few days in case any spores were left behind.
Glasses kept in a humid room
Glasses kept in a bathroom or other humid room keep picking up the moisture that mold needs. Move the case to a drier spot, and dry the glasses completely after every wear.
Fix the moisture in that room first, or the mold will return on anything you store there. Check the lenses in good light after a week to make sure nothing has come back.
Heavy or long-standing buildup
Mold that has sat on the lenses for a long time may have left a mark. Mold can cause staining and cosmetic damage that can't always be reversed, so a mark that stays after cleaning may be part of the surface rather than dirt.
If the mold has dried on, brush it off first, then use the lens wipe again with a fresh wipe. Dried mold on the frame can take a few passes with the soap and cloth, and each pass should be followed by a dry cloth.
If a mark is still there after cleaning, the lens or frame may be damaged. Stronger products aren't a fix for glasses, so an optician is the right person to ask rather than a harsher cleaner.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on mold on eyeglasses?
Most home remedies for mold belong on walls, fabric or hard surfaces rather than eyewear. The lens method above is gentle enough for glasses, so the rest of these are the ones to leave out and why.
Works1Skip4Avoid2
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't use a tissue, tie or sleeve on lenses
Those spread the mold film around instead of lifting it off the glass. Use a lens wipe in circular movements, and switch to a fresh one when the first gets dirty.
Don't reach for abrasive cleansers or scrub pads
Glasses can't take abrasives, so they're off the list even for a stubborn spot. A plastic or nylon pad is the only scrub you should use, and only when the spot won't lift with the cloth.
Don't leave glasses in extreme heat
Extreme heat is hard on glasses, and a hot car is one of the easiest ways to damage them. Keep them in a cool, dry case instead.
When to call a professional
If a mark is still on the lens after careful cleaning, the lens may be damaged and an optician can check it. The same goes for a frame that still smells musty or feels damp after it has dried.
Questions
Can I clean mold off glasses without taking them apart?
Yes. Brush off the dust, wipe each lens with a lens wipe, and clean the frame with a soft cloth, all while the glasses stay assembled. Dry everything before you store them.
Is bleach safe to use on glasses?
No. Bleach isn't recommended for glasses; a lens wipe for the lenses and mild dishwashing liquid for the frame do the job without it. If you ever were tempted, keep it far from the glasses and the cleaning cloths.
Should I wear gloves and a mask?
Wear gloves, since you'll be handling spores. If you're brushing off a lot of mold, add goggles without vents and an N-95 respirator.
Why does mold keep coming back on my glasses?
Mold needs moisture, so it returns when the glasses or case stay damp. Dry them fully after every wipe, and store them in a dry case in a room that doesn't stay humid.
Can I use the same cloth for the lenses and frame?
Use separate cloths. The lens wipe is for the lenses only, and the soft cloth with mild soap is for the frame, so soap doesn't reach the glass.
Should I brush mold off indoors?
Outdoors is better if you can manage it. Brushing can scatter spores through the house, so keep the glasses away from clean surfaces while you work.
Mold on other materials
Other stains on eyeglasses
Start from the bigger picture
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.