Clean Your Binoculars the Right Way: 4 Steps to Do It
There are many kinds of binoculars. You may have mid-range, fair-priced binoculars. Or, you may have a pair of top-of-the-line, pricey ones. No matter what kind of binoculars you have, you’ll want to keep them in top shape for as long as you can.
This is where good cleaning practices come in. If you don’t take good care of your binoculars, you’ll soon notice they are not performing as good as they were before.
Before you find out how to properly clean your binoculars, it’s important you know how to avoid problems.
Guard Your Binoculars Against These Enemies
These are things you need to keep away from your binoculars: moisture, grease, grime, dust, fungi, and insects.
Make sure your hands are free of grease when holding your binoculars.
If you’re a woman and you’re wearing mascara or castor oil on your lashes, some of it might rub off on the lenses. Be mindful when using binoculars.
According to experts, here’s how to clean your binoculars the right way:
1 – Read and Follow the Manual
For each model of binoculars, you’ll find care instructions that are specifically for them.
Be sure to check the manual before cleaning your binoculars to be sure you won’t do anything that can harm them. And you can get tips on how to best clean your binoculars.
2 – Remove Dirt
Before you do any rubbing, especially on the lenses, remove dirt or debris. No matter how soft your cloth is, if there is some dirt rubbed against the lenses, it can cause scratches.
Blow off any dust, dirt, or debris from the lenses. Some people blow with their mouths. But this isn’t the best way to do it. It can cause moisture to develop.
Ideally, use a lens blower. If you don’t have one, use a brush with very fine bristles.
Important: Never use glass cleaning solutions. They might damage the lenses.
3 – Use Water
If step 2 doesn’t work, get help from water.
Wet the tip of a Q-tip. Use it to rub on a spot with hard-to-remove dirt. If you have waterproof binoculars, you can wash them with water or run them under the faucet.
But don’t squirt the water too hard.
4 – Wipe Carefully
After removing the dirt, you can now wipe the lens.
Be sure to use a gentle cloth like a microfiber lens cloth, or a soft cotton cloth.
With the use of a soft brush or cleaning tissue, thoroughly wipe dirt off metal parts and lenses. Gently wipe in a circular motion.
Never use tissues, paper towels, or facial tissues. They may seem soft but they can scratch the coatings of your lenses.
Hold the binoculars upside down as you do this so the dirt falls away from the lens.
Additional tips:
1 – Fold the Cleaning Tissue in Half
When using lens cleaning tissues, fold them into half. So that you have four layers.
2 – Damp Cloth for the Body
Cleaning the body of your binoculars is a lot easier than cleaning the lenses. With the use of a damp cloth, just wipe the body thoroughly.
3 – Keep Your Cloth Clean
Keep your lens cloth safe for the lenses by keeping them in a sealed or airtight container. So the next time you use them, you can be sure they don’t have dirt or debris that can harm your binoculars’ lenses.