I keep getting an email letting me know that I’m due an eye test and I’m 99% positive that I’m going to need some new glasses which will no doubt cost a small fortune. 🙂 If you’re like me and wanting to save some money on your glasses then you can follow the tips below to make sure they last you as long as possible.
Glasses are considered a great investment for a lot of people, given how essential they are for vision correction. You can usually purchase a pair for a good price with careful research and budgeting, but the cost can still add up over time if you need to keep replacing them.
The Independent adds that eye health is becoming expensive, meaning getting new eyewear can now be a more costly option. Knowing how to stretch out the lifespan of your current glasses without affecting their quality or efficacy is hugely important. Read on to learn some of the best thrifty hacks for helping your specs last longer.
Store eyewear properly
When you purchase glasses, you also get a case to conveniently put them in when they’re not in use. It’s important to use this case when you take your glasses off, as it is usually made from metal or hard plastic to protect your glasses from breaking even when dropped or sat on. Proper storage can also prevent dust buildup and make the lenses less likely to get scratched, reducing the chances of wear and tear and preserving their quality over time.
Avoid pushing glasses up your head
For some people, pushing glasses up their head is a habit when they’re resting their eyes. Alternatively, some people use their glasses as a makeshift headband to get hair out of the way from their face. Placing your glasses on your head may provide convenience, but doing so stretches out the temples on the frames and increases the risk of your glasses falling or breaking. Moreover, placing glasses on your head exposes them to more dirt and bacteria from your hair, which can lead to buildup if not addressed properly. Before your glasses get looser or dirtier, kick this habit to avoid distorting the frames further. Make it a practice to remove your glasses properly when not in use. It’s an easy and surefire way to ensure they last longer.
Learn DIY adjustment techniques
Eyeglasses can become loose or ill-fitting as time passes. The temples of the frames can lose shape when worn consistently. As mentioned above, wearing glasses on your head can also produce the same effect. When this happens, you may notice that your glasses often slip down your nose or sit crookedly on your face, which can be extremely inconvenient. Instead of opting to buy a new pair or shell out repairs, you can easily do the fixing yourself, which is also highlighted by our blog as one of the effortless ways to remain frugal.
Surprisingly enough, adjusting your glasses requires minimal effort and can easily be done at home. To know how to adjust your glasses in a way that helps it better fit your face, put them on and mark where you’d like the bend to start. Then, take them off and apply heat to the marked area for around 20-30 seconds while being careful not to burn yourself. Gently bend the glasses straight and repeat the process until you’re satisfied with the fit. It’s a great way to customise your glasses and ensure they fit your face perfectly without incurring any extra cost.
Clean them often
Regularly cleaning your specs will ensure you can clearly see with them while preventing dirt and bacteria buildup that can damage the quality of your frames and lenses. However, you can’t just simply clean your glasses using methods like rinsing them under hot water or disinfecting them with UV light. Glasses aren’t designed to handle hot temperatures, and UV light can clear away bacteria but not dirt or grease. Ultimately, it’s safest to wipe the lenses down with a microfibre cloth that is less abrasive and picks up dirt better, and rinse your glasses with a dedicated cleaning solution. However, these solutions can be costly depending on the brand.
That’s where you can get away with using tap water and dish soap. Run your glasses under lukewarm water to remove dust and other debris that can scratch the lenses. Wipe off the excess water using a microfibre cloth, then put a single drop of dish soap on each lens and gently buff both your lenses and frames. Give them another rinse with lukewarm water and pat them dry with a microfibre towel or cloth. Make it a point to do this every couple of days to effectively safeguard against bacteria buildup and remove debris that could damage the lenses.
If you follow these tips then your glasses will last longer which will in turn save you money. 🙂
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