Your Glasses in Summer: What to Keep in Mind
The warmer months can be surprisingly tough on your glasses. Here are a few simple ways to protect them and help them last long after summer is over.
27. august 2026, Author: Barbara Garaj, Photo: Jakub Čaprnka, Nora Sapárová
Holidays mean slowing down, discovering new places and spending days by the sea, in the mountains or exploring a new city. But our glasses tend to have a slightly harder time. Heat, sand, salt water and travel can put both their durability and our care habits to the test.
We’ve rounded up some of the most common summer situations that can damage your glasses, along with simple tips on how to avoid them.
A Hot Car
Summer and road trips often go hand in hand. Whether you’re heading to the seaside or setting off on a day trip, the inside of a car can get extremely hot.
Leave your glasses on the dashboard or a seat and the heat can damage the lens coatings or even warp the frame.
How to avoid it
If you don’t need your glasses, put them in a hard case and take them with you. It’s a simple way to protect them from the heat and help them last longer.
Sand at the Beach
A seaside holiday often means plenty of time on a sandy beach. Whenever possible, keep your glasses away from the sand. Tiny grains can easily find their way onto the lenses and scratch the surface when you wipe them.
So if that happens, don’t rush to clean them. A little patience can save your lenses from unnecessary scratches.
How to avoid it
If sand gets on your glasses, rinse them first with cool or lukewarm water to wash away the grains. Then gently dry them with a microfibre cloth.
If sand has found its way between the frame and the lenses, don’t worry. Bring your glasses to ZITA and we’ll be happy to give them a thorough clean, even in those hard-to-reach areas you can’t easily clean at home.
Salt Water and Chlorine
At ZITA, we don’t recommend wearing your glasses in the sea or swimming pool. If they do come into contact with salt or chlorinated water, traces of salt or chlorine can remain on the frame and lenses. Once dry, they form deposits that are much harder to remove.
How to avoid it
Take your glasses off before going into the sea or swimming pool. If they do get wet, rinse them with fresh, lukewarm water and gently dry them with a microfibre cloth. This helps remove any salt or chlorine before it has a chance to dry.
Glasses at the Beach
Heading for a swim? Take your glasses off before you get into the water, but don’t leave them lying loose on a towel or beach blanket. They can overheat in direct sunlight, and it’s surprisingly easy for someone to accidentally step on them. Sunscreen can also leave greasy marks that take a little more effort to clean.
How to avoid it
Put your glasses in a hard case before you go into the water. Keep the case at the bottom of your bag and cover it with clothing or a towel. This will help protect your glasses from direct sunlight, accidental damage and dirt.
Wearing Glasses on Your Head
We’ve probably all done it. We walk indoors, pop into a shop or sit down for lunch and our glasses end up on top of our head. Do it regularly and the frame can gradually stretch, meaning your glasses may no longer fit the way they were originally adjusted.
How to avoid it
When you’re not wearing your glasses, keep them in a hard case instead. This way, you won’t unnecessarily stretch the frame.
Travelling Without a Case
When we’re travelling or heading out for the day, we like to keep our glasses close at hand. So they often end up loose in a handbag or backpack. Without a hard case, they’re much more likely to get scratched or damaged.
How to avoid it
Don’t forget to pack a hard case when you travel. Whenever you’re not wearing your glasses, keep them safely inside. It takes up very little space and gives your glasses the protection they need.
Give Your Glasses a Little Post-Summer Refresh
After a summer full of adventures, your glasses deserve a little attention too. At ZITA, we’ll give them a thorough clean, remove dirt from all those hard-to-reach places and adjust them if needed.
You’ll leave with clean, properly adjusted glasses ready for your next adventure and everyday wear.
