How to clean your glasses

Keep your glasses in tip top condition by keeping them clean. They’ll naturally last longer and they won’t need replacing as often, which will make them even more sustainable - here's our top tips to taking care of your eyewear..

shape up

Get your glasses in shape - did you know there’s a right and a wrong way to remove your frames? Whipping them off one handed and wearing them as a handband will result in stretching and before you know it you’re out of shape.

Like many other things in life - it’s better if you use both hands. If you’re guilty of this, head down to your local Opticians and ask for them to be adjusted and reshaped or send them into us.

Keep them in your case - it's their natural habitat and not only keeps dust and dirt away, prevents bending and breakages. Stow in the glove box on a summers day - don't leave them on your dashboard - they just can't take the heat. And always place your precious eyewear lens up - otherwise you’re just asking for trouble.

how to clean your glasses

Cleaning in the wrong way with the wrong tools can damage your lenses and frames, so we’re answering your questions on how to clean and care for your glasses...

What do i clean my glasses with

Clothing is made up of fibres and can contain particles of dirt, both of which can scratch your lenses. Drying glasses lenses with paper towels, tissues, napkins or the end of your top is a big NO NO.

A scratch resistant coating will give you some protection, but even that can’t save you from yourself. Unlike frames, scratching to lenses can’t safely be polished out without danger of removing coatings and they will need to be replaced.

The only thing that’s qualified for cleaning is your glasses cleaning cloth. If you can’t put your hands on your optical cloth, you can come to us and purchase another – ours are upcycled from recycled plastic bottles.

Optical cleaning cloths are also ace at cleaning mobile phones too and you can pop your cloth in the wash at 30° to keep it fresh.

how often should I clean my glasses

Keep your frames and lenses in good condition with regular cleaning.

We recommend a daily lens clean with your optical cloth and at least a monthly deep clean of both frame and lenses.

Upgrade your routine to a weekly deep cleaning regime if you’re prone to perspiring, wear make-up daily or have an oily skin type. This will remove the build up of oils, make-up and grime, keeping both your glasses and your skin tip top.

How should i clean my glasses

The best way to clean your glasses is with simple luke warm soapy water and a soft cloth. If you live in a hard water area like we do, use filtered or distilled water instead of tap and use a mild natural soap - avoid detergent, scented soaps or ones containing dyes and alcohol based solutions as they can damage lenses.

You can use a soft bristled toothbrush to get in and around detailing and motifs, but take care not to use on your lenses.

Adding a bit of the hand soap onto your fingers work it onto the lenses in a circular motion to remove the build up of dirt, dust and oils.

After rinsing, dry your frame thoroughly with a smooth, clean, lint-free cloth like the one you get from us.

Lens cleaners can work well, but you need to make sure they're suitable for coated lenses and they generally come in a plastic bottle so the best choice for planet and pocket is good ole soap and water.

Be sure to avoid harsh chemical cleaners on your frames or lenses to avoid damage and keep them in pristine condition.

what if i’ve scratched my glasses

If you’ve committed one of the spectacle sins and your glasses suffer some scratching or damage don't panic, we’ve got all the solutions with our refurbishing and restoration services…

peep polish

Our polishing service for plastic (acetate and optyl) frames, cleanses and removes scratches and restore lustre for frames in need a of some tlc.

We dismantle and clean in our ultra sonic cleaner ‘Bubbles’, before taking a turn on our buffer where they’re lovingly polished, then they’ll be oiled, re-assembled, heat treated and adjusted, becoming reborn and restored to former glory.

glasses reglaze

If you’ve been cleaning them on your clothes or storing them naked in your handbag and your lenses have sustained some scratching, our reglazing service is for you.

We can replace the lenses in any frame, vintage or modern, prescription or sunglasses.

If your glasses have sustained serious trauma take a peep at our Repair Services. We can repair and restore most things but if they’re beyond help check out our range of sustainable, planet friendly vintage and preloved glasses and sunglasses.

For more info, take a peep at our article on what to do with your old glasses.

Just remember to keep it clean!

Jo

Make do and mend, a tale of recycled fashion

In bygone eras materials weren’t as readily available so everybody practised repairing and recycling in some form, whether unpicking knitted jumpers to knit into new, to shoppers bringing their own paper to wrap purchases. Housewives learnt to make do and mend and people did imaginative things with potatoes.

Recycling and upcycling is close to our hearts and we’re looking to the 1940s for inspiration on what can be restored, repaired and made ‘new to you’ again...

Re-invent your wardrobe

What’s already in your wardrobe? Do you know? Spring is the perfect time to take inventory and get the most from your clothes. Take time to work out which styles suit you and what works for your lifestyle right now. Style things differently – have a play and change up looks with accessories. Layer up, try a polo neck under a dress or a tee under a slip to get more wears and make your wardrobe work harder.

Make Do and Mend

Garments can be tailored to fit and you can make your own repairs alterations – tune in to The Great British Sewing Bee and be inspired to learn a few basic stitches, take up hems and make simple amendments. We’re loving Tilly and the Buttons and Love Your Clothes for mending and making tutorials.

Or find a local tailor to take up and take in, they’ll also be able to rework necklines and replace zips inexpensively. Shoes can be taken to cobblers to be re-heeled and resoled, while bags and belts can be mended there too.  

When it comes to your favourite glasses they too can be restored and revived with our restoration service. We offer both a polishing and reglazing service that saves frames from landfill and gives glasses a new lease of life. From oiling to polishing we remove scratches, general wear and restore lustre.

If you've scratched your lenses, had a prescription change or just want to change your lens colour we can reglaze your glasses.

Customising your clothes

Use embellishments and adornments to customise your clothes and make your mark. Additions of fringing, beads and vintage patches work a treat.

Try your hand at simple embroidery and add to denim, tees and shirts to update your current wardrobe. Check out Mollie Makes for inspiration.

Bear Shark Embroidery

Let it go

If you’ve worked out it’s got to go, host a clothing swap party with friends and go home with new threads.

If garments are beyond saving, recycle at your nearest Clothing Bank.

The Big Closet Clear Out is happening in March - see the Love Your Clothes website for more tips to get involved.

Shanna Camilleri on Unsplash

Remember loved things last.

If you want to chat about restoring your glasses or tell us about your latest recycling projects please get in touch, we’d love to hear about it.

Jo

The history of sunglasses

It's International Sunglasses day and we think that's a day worth celebrating. Join us as we take a trip down memory lane and check out the history of sunglasses…

Ocean vintage sunnies

Sunglasses or 'suncheaters' have a colourful history, from the Roman Emperor Nero who viewed gladiator matches through an emerald, to the Inuits ingenious snow goggles design, featuring small slits to limit the suns access and prevent snow blindness. 

Inuit wooden snow goggles

The Chinese were known to use pieces of smoky quartz as vision aids. Known as Ai Tai, meaning ‘dark clouds covering the sun’, the scrolls say they were worn in court to conceal their facial expressions during trials - handy!

The first tinted sunnies 'Goldoni Glasses' appeared in Venice, Italy in the late 18th century. Named after the famous playwright Carlo Goldoni, they were worn by gondoliers on the sunny canals of Venice. At the same time 'eye preservers' were popular in Britain with peeps that suffered from light sensitivity.

In the 1920s sunglasses were sold off the Atlantic City boardwalk by Sam Foster and became a fashion staple amongst the rich and famous. Actors and actresses loved them as they shielded their eyes from the blinding movie set lights. Off screen sunglasses were perfect for remaining incognito. 

During World War II, the military designed spectacles for pilots that would enhance vision and reduce glare at altitude. The US Army Air Corps enlisted the help of eyeglasses maker Bausch & Lomb, who developed the iconic Ray-Ban Aviator in 1939. They went on to use ground breaking plastic molding technology in the 50’s and the Wayfarer was born.

In the 60s and 70s everything got supersized and we have Jackie O to thank for making oversized sunglasses a thing - and the rest as they say is history (of sunglasses).

Photo by Hust Wilson on Unsplash

Sunglasses are so important for blocking the sun's ultraviolet light. Exposure to light and UV radiation is linked to serious eye conditions... cataracts, macular degeneration, photokeratitis (corneal sunburn), and cancerous growths of the eye... ouch!

Protect your peepers by investing in quality sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB radiation. It's not the colour of the lenses, it's the percentage of UV protection that counts. Go for 100% every time. Although tiny 90s glasses are enjoying a revival, it's oversized or wraparound sunglasses that block the most sun, especially when those rays are bouncing off sand and sea. 

Stay safe and celebrate those sunnies!

Check out our latest summer styles here.

Jo
 

Coming Clean

Photo by Philipe Cavalcante on Unsplash

You've spent time selecting the perfect pair, agonising over shape and colour. Help your glasses last by looking after them and treat these babies well. Here's some hints and tips to help...

Store it

Store in the case baby - it's their natural habitat and not only keeps dust and dirt away, stops them becoming bent or broken. Protect from handbag hazards and stow in the glove box on a summers day - don't leave them on your dashboard - they can't take the heat.

Photo by Vishal Banik on Unsplash

Always place your precious eyewear lens up - otherwise it's just asking for trouble. 

Clean up your act

The cleaner you keep your glasses, the less your eyes will strain to see through dust and dirt.

Photo by Nik MacMillan on Unsplash

Clean with the cloth people - only the cloth.

NEVER dry your lenses with paper towels, tissues, napkins or the end of your top - you know who you are! These materials have a textured surface which can scratch the lenses.

You can keep your frames and lenses looking good by regular cleaning with simple warm, soapy water and a soft cloth.  Avoid scented soaps or ones containing dyes. After rinsing dry your frame thoroughly with a smooth, clean, lint-free cloth like the one you get from us.

You can use lens cleaners, which work well, but make sure they're suitable for coated lenses before using.

Be sure to avoid harsh chemical cleaners on your frames or lenses! 

Damage control

Photo by Fabian Møller on Unsplash

If your frames do suffer some scratching don't panic, we offer a polishing service for acetate/optyl frames to remove scratches and restore lustre.  

If your frame or lenses have sustained serious trauma or if you just fancy a different tint or prescription, get in touch, we're here to help.

Sign up to our newsletter and look out for our new frame saving accessories coming soon.

Jo

Roll up roll up... the Carnival's in town

Carnival:  'A period of public revelry involving processions, music, dancing, and the use of masquerade'

It's summer and the carnival's in town - come on down and party with us at the Vintage Carnival on Saturday 1 July at Leicester Racecourse for a glorious celebration of all things vintage. 

They'll be retail therapy at the vintage marketplace including our very own eyewear, vintage vehicles in the classic car exhibition, delicious street food and of course there'll be dancing - with free dance classes if you come over all Ginger Rogers!

The two stages have an amazing line up of vintage acts including Kals' Kats, The Hicksville Bombers and Louis Louis Louis. Be pampered in the vintage salon, try your hand at a vintage craft in the Crafts Studio and have your day captured on camera at the photo studio. There's even something to keep the kids busy with the Carnival Games!

Peep will be there, providing the shade vintage style.  Join us for a vintage picnic and check out our latest sunglasses styles.  We lovingly recondition each authentic vintage frame at our workshop in Leicestershire, bringing them back to life, before adding brand new 100% UVA tinted lenses.

Step right up... we'll be offering a 20% show discount across our range of sunglasses and we'll be bringing our amazing buffing machine. So if your frames are looking a little worse for wear - hop on over to our stall and have your glasses buffed back to former glory!

You can also order prescription eyewear from us, just bring your prescription with you on the day.  If you step off the ferris wheel and you're looking a little wonky - pop on over for a free adjustment on your favourite pair and we'll set you straight!

Let the Fiesta begin!

Jo

sweet like Candy

Cult brand Cazal makes killer eyewear. The iconic designer Cari Zalloni, created unique stand out designs to set and lead trends way ahead of their time. Works of art with handcrafted detail and adornments, produced investment pieces loved by fans and celebrities alike.

We can't get enough of millennial pink! Our original 80s style statement Candy, boasts pretty hues with white arm detail, set against gold metal accents.  

Made from a combination of acetate and metal, this German made frame (model 183) gloriously renamed Candy (by Peep), pays homage to the colour of the moment and effortlessly nails this trend.

We added rose-pink tinted lenses to these sunglasses to up the style stakes - why see life any other way?

shop Candy here

Jo