| Your prescription glasses may look as beautiful as the | | | | Some people who wear eyeglasses claim that |
| day you got them, but if your nose pads have begun | | | | soaking them for an hour in soapy water and then |
| to yellow, or better yet build up green gunk | | | | rinsing them will remove the gunk that builds up under |
| underneath, they become unsightly when people get | | | | the nose pads. Again, this will not help with the |
| close to you. What can you do about this problem? | | | | yellowed plastic, but if you have buildup it is worth a |
| Is there anything you can do to clean yellowed nose | | | | try. |
| pads on your glasses? | | | | Consider the Alternative |
| Why Nose Pads Turn Yellow | | | | If you have yellowed nose pads, you do have |
| Nose pads are made out of clear plastic. They are in | | | | another alternative. Replacing the nose pads is |
| constant contact with your skin, and underneath the | | | | actually quite affordable. You can pick up a nose pad |
| plastic the skin often sweats. The sweat, over time, | | | | repair kit at a drug store or your local optometrist, |
| causes the nose pads to turn yellow. On average it | | | | but make sure you have your glasses with you, as |
| takes about one year for the nose pads on your | | | | there are different kinds available and you will need |
| glasses to turn yellow, and you probably want your | | | | the right ones. |
| glasses to last longer than a year, particularly if you | | | | To do the replacement, start by laying out your |
| are paying a lot for designer eyeglass frames. | | | | supplies on a light colored towel. This will keep the |
| Additionally, the reaction between the acidity of the | | | | tiny pieces from sliding off of the table. Then, use a |
| sweat and the metal of the frames can lead to a | | | | jeweler's screwdriver to remove the old nose pads. |
| greenish buildup on the nose pads. This buildup also | | | | Once they are off, use alcohol soaked pads to clean |
| contains dirt and grime from your skin. It is unsightly, | | | | the frames near where they connect to the nose |
| and also quite unsanitary if you stop to think about it. | | | | pads. You want all residue removed before you put |
| Can It Be Cleaned? | | | | the new pads on. |
| The answer to whether or not nose pads can be | | | | Once the glasses are clean, install the new pads using |
| cleaned is yes and no. You cannot do much for | | | | the jeweler's screwdriver. Do so gently, as it is very |
| yellowed nose pads. Unfortunately, once the nose | | | | easy to damage these delicate pieces. If you feel |
| pad has turned yellow, it is permanent. However, the | | | | resistance when you try to screw in the new screw, |
| green gunk and grime under the nose pad can be | | | | take it out and start again. |
| cleaned. | | | | When you are done, place some clear nail polish or |
| One way to do this is to use a pre moistened alcohol | | | | white glue on the screw heads. This way they will |
| pad. Shove the alcohol pad between the nose pad | | | | not eventually slip out, but you can remove them |
| and the frame, and let some of the alcohol leak onto | | | | with your screwdriver if you need to later. Do not |
| the nose pads. Then, rinse it off with water. | | | | use strong glues, as this will make it difficult to |
| If this does not work, use a soft-bristled toothbrush, | | | | remove the nose pads when they also turn yellow. |
| preferably a child-sized one, and scrub the nose pads. | | | | When you are done, you will have glasses that look |
| You can even remove them if you wish to get them | | | | as good as they did the day you bought them, and |
| really clean, but make sure you keep careful tabs on | | | | you will pay very little for the revamped look. |
| the screws if you do, because they are tiny. | | | | |