How to Get Glue Off of Eyeglass Lenses

Most lenses are not made out of glass, but polycarbonate plastic, which means special care must be taken to remove glue. In addition, it is a process that takes some time and may have to be repeated to remove all the glue.

Clean Plastic Lenses

1. Mix a small amount of warm water, about a cup, with a drop of liquid dish soap.

2. Soak a paper towel in the water and soap and place the towel on top of the glue on the lens. Wrap the lens and towel in plastic wrap and let sit for five hours.

3. Unwrap the lens and remove the damp paper towel.

4. Dampen a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and blot at the remaining glue to remove it. Use several dampen cotton balls if necessary and blot until all the glue and residue is gone.

5. Rinse the lenses off with warm water and dry each lens with a clean towel.

Clean Glass Lenses

1. Dip a cotton swab in nail polish remover and coat the glue on the lens with the liquid.

2. Blot the glue with a cotton ball dampen with nail polish remover to remove the glue. Change cotton balls as needed to prevent the cotton ball form disintegrating and repeat until all the glue is gone.

3. Rinse the lenses off with warm water and dry each lens with a clean towel.