How to Clean your Contact Lenses(Step by Step)

Maintaining proper hygiene is crucial for preventing infections and safeguarding both your eye health and long-term vision. Here are some guidelines for cleaning your contact lenses, along with the reasons behind them.

General Rules

1. Before handling your contact lenses, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water, ideally using antibacterial soap. Dry your hands with a lint-free towel, and avoid using oil or lotion-based soaps as they can contaminate your lenses.

2. Always use fresh contact lens cleaning solution. Do not use tap water, sterile water, saliva, saline solution, or rewetting drops as they do not disinfect or clean your lenses properly.

3. Clean your contact lenses by rubbing them with your fingers and then rinsing them with fresh cleaning solution. This method, known as "rub and rinse," is effective even with "no-rub" solutions. Avoid touching your lenses with your fingernails to prevent transferring germs and dirt.

4. After using your contact lenses, rinse the case with fresh cleaning solution and leave it open and overturned to dry. Avoid cleaning the case with water, which can introduce impurities and microorganisms. Keep the case away from the toilet and humid environments to prevent mildew and germ buildup.

5. Avoid air smoke and other pollutants, which can enter your eyes and cause irritation and infection.

6. Don’t transfer contact lens cleaning solutions into smaller containers for travel or storage, which can compromise the sterility of your solution. 

7. Keep your solution bottle tightly capped, and avoid contact with surfaces or objects while in use. 
8. Replace your contact lens case at least every three months.
9. Never wear your contact lenses more than 30 days after first opening. 

Cleaning reusable soft contact lenses

The method for cleaning your reusable soft contact lenses varies based on the type of solution you use.

For Multipurpose Solution

To clean your contact lenses using a multipurpose solution, follow these detailed steps:

1. Use Fresh Solution: Always use fresh multipurpose solution each time you clean your lenses. Do not reuse old solution as it loses its effectiveness and can harbor bacteria.

2. Prepare Your Hands: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, preferably using an antibacterial soap. Dry your hands with a lint-free towel to ensure no particles or contaminants are transferred to your lenses.

3. Remove Right Eye Lens: Carefully remove the contact lens from your right eye. This prevents cross-contamination between your lenses.

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4. Apply Solution and Rub: Place the lens in your palm and apply one or two drops of the multipurpose solution onto it. Using your index finger, gently rub the lens for 10-15 seconds on both sides. This step is crucial for removing debris and deposits from the lens surface.

5. Rinse the Lens: Rinse the lens thoroughly with fresh multipurpose solution to wash away any loosened particles and remaining debris.

6. Store the Lens: Place the cleaned lens in the right compartment of your contact lens case. Ensure the compartment is clean and free from any previous solution.

7. Repeat for Left Eye: Repeat the same cleaning steps (2-5) for the contact lens from your left eye.

8. Fill the Case: After both lenses are cleaned and placed in their respective compartments, fill the contact lens case with fresh multipurpose solution until the lenses are fully covered.

9. Secure the Case: Tightly secure the caps of the lens case to prevent contamination and leakage.

10. Soak Lenses: Allow the lenses to soak in the solution for at least 6 hours or overnight. This soaking period ensures thorough disinfection and prepares your lenses for safe and comfortable wear the next day.

For One-step Peroxide Solution

To clean your contact lenses with a one-step peroxide solution, follow these steps:

1. Use Fresh Solution and Provided Case: Always use the designated contact lens case and fresh peroxide solution each time you clean your lenses.

2. Remove Right Eye Lens: Take the lens out from your right eye and place it in the right basket (marked "R") of the open lens holder. Close the basket carefully.

3. Remove Left Eye Lens: Remove the lens from your left eye, place it in the left basket, and close it securely.

4. Fill the Case: Fill the lens case with fresh one-step peroxide solution up to the marked line. Avoid underfilling or overfilling the case.

5. Secure the Lens Holder: Place the lens holder inside the filled case and close the cap securely without overtightening. The solution will start to bubble as it activates.

6. Keep Upright: Ensure the lens case remains upright with the lenses fully immersed in the solution. Do not shake the case during the disinfection process.

7. Soak Lenses: Allow the lenses to soak overnight or for at least 6 hours before wearing them. 

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Cleaning gas permeable contact lenses

To properly clean your contact lenses, follow these detailed steps:

1. Remove and Rub: Carefully remove the contact lens from your eye. Place the lens in your palm and apply a few drops of cleaning solution. Using your index finger, gently rub the lens in a circular motion for about 20 seconds. This action helps to remove debris, protein buildup, and other impurities from the lens surface.

2. Rinse if Needed: If you are using a daily cleaning solution, it’s important to rinse the lens after rubbing. Use a conditioning solution or saline solution to rinse off the cleaner. Avoid using tap water, as it can contain microorganisms and impurities that can harm your eyes.

3. Fill the Case: Prepare your contact lens case by filling it with fresh wetting or disinfecting solution. Ensure the solution covers the lenses completely to allow for effective cleaning and storage.

4. Store the Lens: After cleaning, place the lens into the appropriate compartment of the lens case. Ensure the lens is fully immersed in the solution to prevent it from drying out and to maintain proper disinfection.

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5. Soak Overnight: Leave the lens in the solution overnight or for at least the duration recommended by the solution’s instructions. This soaking period allows the solution to disinfect the lens thoroughly, making it safe and comfortable for your next use.

Additional Tips for Cleaning Your Contacts

Here are some additional tips to ensure your contact lenses stay clean and safe:

The Dos

1. Handle with Clean Hands: Always wash and dry your hands thoroughly before touching your contact lenses.
2. Be Gentle: Handle your lenses carefully to avoid ripping or tearing them.
3. Consistent Routine: Start with the same eye each time to prevent mixing up your lenses.
4. Rub and Rinse: Use the rubbing step even if your solution is labeled “no rub.” Follow specific instructions for hydrogen peroxide solutions.
5. Remove Before Makeup: Take out your contacts before applying or removing makeup to avoid contamination.
6. Avoid Water: Remove your lenses before swimming or showering.

The Don’ts

1. Avoid Improper Cleaning Methods: Never use water, saline, or saliva to clean or moisten your lenses, as they are not effective disinfectants.
2. Follow Wear Schedule: Do not wear your contacts longer than recommended by your eye care provider.
3. Do Not Reuse Solution: Always use fresh solution and avoid mixing new solution with old.
4. Avoid Sleeping in Contacts: Unless prescribed by your eye care provider, do not sleep in your contact lenses.
5. Check Expiry Dates: Never use expired contact lens solution.

You can take a look at our other guides for your contact lenses