Homemade Solutions For Your Glasses And Contacts

If you wear contacts, then you know contact solution is a must. If a 10 oz. bottle costs about $10 and lasts two months, that's $60 a year in contact solution. Likewise, glass wearers are constantly in need of an eyeglass cleaner to clean those smudges and fingerprints off their lenses. That cleaner averages $2.50 per 2 oz., representing a similar cost-over-time to contact solution. 

Both are necessary to extend the life of your contacts or glasses, but for those looking to save a little, there are many solutions you can whip up right at home, and many have the added benefit of being all natural:

Lens Cleaner

Each of these solutions are meant to be sprayed on your glasses' lenses and wiped off with a clean, soft cloth. Don't use paper towels or other paper products to wipe your glasses clean as they fibers in the paper can create minuscule scratches on the surface of your glass or plastic lenses.

1. Filtered Water + Isopropyl Alcohol 70%

Mix two parts water to three parts alcohol in a spray bottle. Shake before each use. 

2. Water + Witch Hazel + Soap

Mix equal parts of each ingredient and dispense via a dropper or spray bottle.

3. White Vinegar + Water

One part white (not apple cider) vinegar to one part water will give you streak- and spot-free glasses. As an added bonus, it also works great on car windows and other glass surfaces.

Contact Solution

Unlike eyeglasses, contacts are actually placed on the surface of the eyeball. This calls for extra caution when making your own sanitizing solutions to soak them in. Keeping your mixtures sterile is vital if you are to avoid getting an eye infection. Follow the instructions below carefully, and enjoy your new, homemade soaking solution.

1. Make your own saline solution.

Begin by washing your hands with soap and water. Boil a quart glass jar, the jar lid, your stirring spoon, and one-liter measuring container for five minutes to sterilize them, then place on a clean towel to dry. Measure one liter of distilled water into your measuring container. Boil that water, and add nine grams of sodium chloride tablets to it, stirring till dissolved. Store the solution in your quart jar, topping it with the lid.

2. Use hydrogen peroxide.

If your lens cleaning case has a platinum catalyst, you can use a low-percentage (three percent) hydrogen peroxide to clean your contacts, since the platinum acts to convert the peroxide to water. Do not use this method if your case does not have the catalyst as hydrogen peroxide can cause severe burns to your eyes.

Be sure to contact a professional optometrist for additional assistance.


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