The Do’s and Don’ts of Storing Your Sunglasses: Keep Your Shades

 

Sunglasses are more than just a fashion statement—they’re a practical accessory that protects your eyes from harmful UV rays. Whether you own a pair of high-end designer shades or a trusty everyday pair, proper storage is key to keeping them in great condition. Unfortunately, many of us are guilty of tossing our sunglasses into bags, leaving them on car dashboards, or worse—losing them altogether. To help you extend the life of your favorite shades, here’s a guide to the do’s and don’ts of storing your sunglasses.

The Do’s of Storing Your Sunglasses

1. Do Use a Protective Case Always store your sunglasses in a hard-shell case when you’re not wearing them. This is the single most effective way to prevent scratches, dents, and other damage. Most sunglasses come with a case when you purchase them, so make it a habit to use it. If you’ve lost the original case, invest in a sturdy replacement.
2. Do Clean Them Before Storing Before putting your sunglasses away, gently clean the lenses with a microfiber cloth to remove fingerprints, dust, and smudges. This prevents dirt from settling and potentially scratching the lenses over time.
3. Do Store Them in a Cool, Dry Place Excessive heat and humidity can warp frames, damage lens coatings, and even cause adhesives to loosen. Store your sunglasses in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight or extreme temperatures (like your car dashboard).
4. Do Keep Them in a Consistent Spot Designate a specific spot for your sunglasses at home, in your bag, or at work. This reduces the chances of misplacing them and ensures they’re always within reach when you need them.
5. Do Use a Sunglasses Strap or Chain If you’re on the go and don’t want to constantly put your sunglasses in their case, consider using a sunglasses strap or chain. This keeps them secure around your neck when not in use, reducing the risk of dropping or losing them.

The Don’ts of Storing Your Sunglasses

1. Don’t Leave Them Loose in Your Bag Tossing your sunglasses into a bag without protection is a recipe for disaster. They can get scratched by keys, crushed by other items, or bent out of shape. Always use a case or a soft pouch if you’re carrying them in your bag.
2. Don’t Place Them Lens-Down When you set your sunglasses down, always place them lens-up. Placing them lens-down on a surface can lead to scratches, even if the surface seems smooth.
3. Don’t Leave Them in Hot Places Heat is one of the biggest enemies of sunglasses. Leaving them on your car dashboard, near a window, or in direct sunlight can cause the frames to warp and the lenses to crack or delaminate. If you must leave them in your car, store them in the glove compartment or center console.
4. Don’t Use Your Shirt or Tissues to Clean Them While it might be tempting to wipe your lenses with your shirt or a tissue, these materials can be abrasive and leave micro-scratches. Always use a microfiber cloth designed for cleaning lenses.
5. Don’t Hang Them on Your Shirt or Head Hooking your sunglasses on the neckline of your shirt or resting them on your head might seem convenient, but it can stretch out the frames over time. It also increases the risk of them falling off and getting damaged.

If you own multiple pairs of sunglasses, consider rotating them regularly. This not only gives each pair a break but also ensures you’re not overusing one pair, which can lead to wear and tear.

Your sunglasses are an investment in both style and eye health, so it’s worth taking a little extra care to store them properly. By following these simple do’s and don’ts, you can keep your shades looking great and functioning perfectly for years to come. Remember, a little effort goes a long way in preserving your favorite accessories!

Do you have any sunglasses storage tips or horror stories? Share them in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you!

Protect your shades, and they’ll protect your eyes! 😎