Eyewear Care & Ultrasonic Cleaning
Ultrasonic Cleaner vs. Cleaning Cloth vs. Spray: The Honest Comparison
All three methods have their place – but different strengths. Microfibre cloths and sprays are quick and portable but can't reach every groove and carry a residual risk of fine scratches. Ultrasonic cleaning is contact-free and more thorough, but tied to a device at home or at the reception desk.
Microfibre cloth: quick, but only as good as the cloth itself
A clean microfibre cloth is the most obvious method – dry or slightly dampened. The key catch: an already dirty cloth acts like sandpaper itself, since embedded particles get dragged across the lens while wiping. Hinges and nose pads are also barely reached.
Cleaning spray: dissolves grease chemically, but the wiping motion remains
Sprays chemically loosen grease and residue before you wipe it off mechanically – practical when you're out and about. But the wiping motion itself remains a residual risk, especially if dust particles are present on the lens.
Ultrasonic cleaning: more thorough, yet tied to one location
Since nothing rubs against the lens, the mechanical scratch risk disappears entirely – hinges and nose pads are reached too (see What is an ultrasonic cleaner and how does cavitation work?). The trade-off: you need the device on hand, so it's not an on-the-go solution like a cloth or spray.
Bottom line: not a contradiction, but a complement
In practice, these methods aren't mutually exclusive: a clean microfibre cloth remains useful for a quick fix on the go, while ultrasonic cleaning at home or at the reception desk handles the more thorough, regular deep clean.
Author: Moritz Weinert, Gründer NURO Labs · Last updated on 8 September 2026