We all love our sunglasses, especially the favourite pair that see us through all kinds of days and every outfit (you know which ones). That’s why we want them to last as long as possible, and why we get incredibly bummed when we see a fresh scratch appear on the surface. A scratch can turn into a stretch and before you know it, you’re having to part ways with your frames sooner rather than later *sob*. Thankfully, there are some things you can avoid on a daily basis to prevent such heartbreak. Here’s what you need to stop doing to make sure that your sunglasses live a long life.
Cleaning them with anything other than a microfibre cloth
You’re on-the-go, you have a smudge on your lens and you stretch out the bottom of your top to give it a quick wipe down. Innocent clean, right? Wrong! Lenses are a lot more sensitive than you think and everyday materials can actually scratch them, especially when they’re rubbed abrasively. The best way to keep your sunglasses clear is by using none other than a classic microfibre cloth. Keep a small piece of the material inside your sunglasses case to prevent causing damage unknowingly.
Carrying them around without a case
Think of all of the things you throw into your handbag – keys, wallet, makeup, water bottle, pens, loose change. Now imagine throwing a feather in there and going about your day. You can’t expect to pull a feather out from the handbag in the same condition that you put it in! Sunglasses may not be as delicate as feathers, but over time they can become just as damaged. It’s not uncommon for sunglasses to not only scratch but break entirely because of the danger zone that is the inside of a bag. The same goes for all kinds of storage – the car’s glove compartment, the wardrobe and luggage bags. You must put your sunglasses in a protective case when you’re not wearing them. Trust us on this one.
Wearing them on your head (and stretching them)
Walking indoors and popping your sunglasses on your head for a couple of minutes won’t be the be-all and end-all of fashion crimes. However, wearing your sunglasses on your head while ordering brunch and having coffee over an hour-long conversation with a friend won’t do your sunglasses any good. The frames of sunglasses are designed to fit from ear to ear, not the width of your entire head. So, while sunglasses may stretch slightly to conform to your face shape, they aren’t meant to widen up much more than that. Wearing sunglasses excessively on your head will, unfortunately, stretch them to the point of no return. Try to get into the habit of packing them away when you’re no longer in the sun.
Placing them face-down on surfaces
Sometimes all it takes for sunglasses to come to their end is one simple act of placing them down. Face down. Unless you’re putting your sunglasses face down into a pile of pillows, odds are just about every surface will leave your lenses with a scratch that’s impossible to look past. But we all make mistakes and odds are you might not always put your sunglasses down with great care or attention. Make it easier for yourself and resort back to our second tip – if you’re going out with sunglasses, you should also go out with its case.
