Keeping Your Vision Clear: A Guide to Clean Safety Eyewear
Do you rely on safety glasses to protect your eyes at work? If so, you know they're an essential piece of your personal protective equipment (PPE).
But just wearing them isn't enough. To ensure they provide the best possible protection, they must be kept clean and stored in a proper manner. Dirty or scratched lenses can impair your vision, leading to eye strain and increasing the risk of accidents.
If you've ever wondered about the best way to clean and store your safety glasses, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
The Importance of Clean Safety Eyewear
Keeping your safety eyewear clean is crucial for several reasons.
First and foremost, it ensures you have a clear, unobstructed view of your work environment. Smudges, dust, and grime can distort your vision, making it difficult to perform tasks accurately and safely. Even minor scratches can create glare and lead to eye fatigue over a prolonged shift.
Furthermore, damaged eyewear compromises your protection.
With regular cleaning, you are provided an opportunity to inspect your eyewear for any damage, ensuring it's always in top condition to shield you from workplace hazards. At any time during cleaning, if cracks or defects are observed, the safety eyewear must be replaced immediately.
How to Clean Safety Eyewear
Cleaning your safety glasses is a simple process, but it's important to do it correctly to avoid scratching the lenses or damaging special coatings.
Follow these steps for perfect clean safety eyewear every time:
- Rinse with water: Run your glasses under cool water to wash away dust and grime.
- Use a proper cleaning solution: Apply a cleaning solution specifically designed for eyewear. Regular household cleaners or industrial solvents can damage lens coatings, so it's best to avoid them. For a reliable and effective clean, consider using a dedicated solution like uvex's eyewear cleaning fluid. If you don't have a specialised cleaner, a mild soap and water solution will also work.
- Wipe gently: Use a soft, clean microfibre cloth to gently wipe the lenses. Avoid using your shirt, paper towels, or rough rags, as these materials can easily scratch the lens surface. Use a gentle circular motion, starting from the centre and working your way outwards.
- Clean the frame: Don't forget to wipe down the frame, side shields, and nosepiece. These areas can accumulate oil and sweat, which can transfer to the lenses.
- Air dry: Allow the glasses to air dry completely before wearing them again to prevent smudging.
How to Store Safety Eyewear
Proper storage is just as important as proper cleaning.
When you're not wearing your safety glasses, leaving them on a workbench or tossing them in a toolbox exposes them to potential damage.
The best way to protect your eyewear is to store it in a dedicated case or pouch. A hard case offers the most protection against being crushed or scratched. If a hard case isn't practical, a microfibre pouch will keep the lenses clean and prevent minor scratches. Or even better, use a spectacle cord to hang them safely when not in use.
Protect Your Vision for the Long Haul
Safety eyewear protects your most valuable asset: your sight.
If you have any questions about maintaining your PPE, please feel free to contact us. You can also browse our full range of safety glasses to find the perfect pair for your needs.