How to Clean Binoculars

Good quality binoculars are built to last and if looked after correctly will provide superior, trouble free viewing for many years with some of the best binoculars being sold with 10 year, 30 year or even lifetime guarantees. One thing you need to learn is how to clean you binoculars, if cleaned incorrectly, no matter how good the lenses and lens coatings, scratches can occur and the perfectly clear images that you will have learned to take for granted will be lost.

Before I tell you how to clean your binoculars I want to make something very clear. NEVER breathe on your binoculars lenses and rub then with a cloth or use any kind of cloth to remove dust and dirt from the lenses. Trying to clean your binoculars in this way could very easily leave you with tiny scratches on the lenses that you won’t be able to see but will gradually, over time, destroy your lenses leaving you with far from crystal clear images. Never clean your binoculars without removing any trace of dust particles first.

It has been noted that careless cleaning is one of the most common ways of destroying binoculars with many people failing to follow manufacturer’s guidelines and learning all too late the importance of correct lens care.

How to clean your binoculars without destroying your lenses:

1. Carefully clean your binoculars by firstly removing any dirt or dust from the main body and straps using a soft microfibre cloth. Avoid the lenses at this point using any form of cloth on the lenses before removing all dirt and dust particles first could destroy them. 

2. Gently remove all traces of grit, dirt or dust particles from the lenses using a soft lens brush or canned air specifically designed for the purpose. 

3. Waterproof binoculars can be rinsed gently under a tap but be sure to use on lightly running water, avoid high pressure water as it could damage your binoculars.  

4. Gently remove any remaining marks using lens cleaning tools such as a lens pen or lens cleaning fluid and lens tissue. Do not be tempted to use kitchen towel or anything else lying around that is slightly rough and may scratch the surface of the lens, only use a lens pen, lens tissue or a lens cloth. Gently wipe the lens using a circular motion working from the centre of the lens to the outer edge. NEVER apply lens cleaning fluid directly onto the glass (always apply to the cloth) and always ensure that the lens cleaning fluid you are using is recommended for the type of lens coatings that have been applied to your binoculars  (Do not use general household glass cleaning products or products designed to clean computer screens or glasses. Such products could destroy the lens coatings of your binoculars if used).

Learning how to clean your binoculars is extremely important, always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and don’t take shortcuts. Quality binoculars are generally relatively expensive and well worth taking care of.