How to Clean & Care for Contact Lenses—A Complete Guide

Have you recently transitioned to contact lenses or used them for years but still struggle with proper care? You're not alone. Keeping your eyes healthy while ensuring a comfortable contact lens experience doesn’t have to be daunting. With some guidance and a few best practices, you can master contact lens care and say goodbye to common issues like dryness, irritation, or even infections.

Let’s walk you through an easy-to-follow daily cleaning routine, explain the types of solutions you’ll need, and highlight common mistakes to kick

Step-by-Step Guide to Daily Cleaning Contact Lenses

Start with Clean Hands: The foundation of contact lens care is clean hands. Before you even touch your lenses, wash your hands thoroughly using fragrance-free, non-moisturizing soap. Avoid soaps with added oils or lotions, as these can transfer to your lenses and irritate your eyes. Dry your hands with a lint-free towel to avoid debris sticking to your lenses.
Rinse and Rub: Place your lens in the palm of your hand and apply a few drops of your recommended contact lens solution. Avoid using water from the tap as it may contain microorganisms harmful to your eyes (we’ll cover this in a bit). Gently rub the lens with your fingertip for about 10 seconds to remove deposits and debris.
Rinse Again: Use fresh solution to rinse your lens thoroughly on both sides. This extra step ensures that any loosened debris is washed away, leaving your lenses clean and ready to wear.
Store Safely: Place the cleaned lens in its designated compartment in your case, ensuring it’s fully submerged in fresh contact lens solution. Close the case tightly to avoid contamination.

Note: The Contact Lens Institute promotes "The EASY Way" campaign, which emphasizes three core habits for healthy lens use: Eyes, Awareness, and Safety.

Contact Lens Solutions: What You Need to Know

Contact lens solutions aren’t one-size-fits-all. Understanding the types and their purposes will help you choose the right one for your needs.

Multipurpose Solutions: These are the all-rounders in lens care. They clean, rinse, disinfect, and store your lenses. They're great for most soft contact lenses and are the simplest option for beginners.
Hydrogen Peroxide Solutions: If you have sensitive eyes, hydrogen peroxide solutions are excellent for cleaning and disinfecting. Just remember, they require a neutralizing step (usually with a special case included in the solution package) before the lenses become safe to wear.
Saline Solutions: Used primarily for rinsing and storing hard or rigid gas-permeable lenses, saline solutions do not disinfect. They might not be adequate for soft lenses unless paired with a disinfecting step

Common Rookie Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Even the most seasoned contact lens wearers can slip up. Here are some pitfalls to watch out for:

Using Tap Water or Saliva: Contact with Water—including distilled or tap water—is a no-go for cleaning or storing your lenses. It can introduce harmful microorganisms, like Acanthamoeba, which can lead to severe eye infections. Saliva is no exception; it’s teeming with bacteria you don’t want near your eyes.
Reusing Old Solution: Pouring old solution over your lenses is tempting, but it’s a shortcut that compromises cleanliness. Always toss out yesterday’s solution and use fresh every day.
Failing to Replace Your Case: Your lens case should be replaced every 1–3 months, according to the American Optometric Association (AOA). Even with proper cleaning, cases can accumulate invisible bacteria.
Storing Lenses in Unsafe Environments: Leaving your lenses in your car on a hot day or carrying your case loosely in a dusty bag can expose them to contaminants. Keep your lenses cool, dry, and clean.

Time to Build Better Habits

Caring for your contact lenses doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By following these steps and avoiding rookie mistakes, you can ensure a more comfortable experience and reduce your risk of infections. If you’re still unsure about your routine or need expert advice on which type of lenses best suit you, stop by Stanton Optical to explore their Contact Lens Value Pack available to properly celebrate Contact Lens Health Week (August 18–24).

Your eyes deserve the very best care, and with a little effort, your contact lenses will provide you with unbeatable comfort, clarity, and confidence.

For more tips or to schedule a comprehensive eye exam today!

References:
American Optometric Association – Emphasize handwashing and other healthy habits for contact lens wearers
Contact Lens Institute – The EASY Way campaign