CHAPTER 3: MAINTAINING YOUR BINOCULAR

Good quality binoculars are built to last. How binoculars are treated and what they are exposed to will affect their longevity. Before you start wiping the lenses, you should know the do’s and don’ts of maintaining your binoculars, as cleaning them incorrectly can do more damage than good.

CLEANING THE BODY

When it comes to binoculars, the body is the area you will often be handling. On top of your standard dirt and dust, the body will also be exposed to the oils from your hand, brow, and eyelashes. While the body might not be as important as the lenses, any dirt on the body could be transferred to the lens when being stored. Therefore, it is always a good idea to keep the body of your binoculars clean at all times. 

To clean the body, first cover the lenses using the provided caps so that pollutants don’t transfer onto them. You can use a blower bulb to blow away the dust, then proceed with a warm damp cloth to remove any leftover dirt and oils. 

CLEANING THE LENS

The lens is an important part of any binocular and a dirty lens will lead to a loss of image quality. One thing to keep in mind is that the lenses are specially coated to help with light transmission and can be accidentally scratched during cleaning. Because of this, it is not recommended to clean the lenses regularly.

Prior to cleaning the lenses, blow off any small dirt or dust particles using a blower bulb. While doing this, keep the binoculars pointed down on the floor to prevent the dust from coming back onto the lens. Check your lens for any leftover dust and repeat a few times. For the remaining particles and smudges, put a few drops of lens cleaning solution on a  microfiber cloth and rub the lens gently in light crescent motions from the center outwards. NEVER drop the cleaning solution directly onto the lens itself, as the excess might drip into your binoculars.

CLEANING THE EYECUPS

The eyecup is another part of your binoculars that needs to be cleaned. Most of them are made out of plastic and after a while, they can get dirty and sticky. Just like before, use a blower bulb to remove the dirt and then proceed with a damp cloth. Removable eyecups can be taken off and washed with soap and warm water to remove any dirt and oils.

EXTRA TIPS

1. Keep your binoculars stored in a dry and clean place with a moderate climate when not in use to keep them away from dust, and from the effects of fluctuating temperatures.
2. Clean any traces of salt water from your binoculars if you have brought them near the ocean since it can lead to corrosion of the metal components. If your binoculars are waterproof, it is better to rinse them gently under running water. 
3. Fungi can grow on some parts of your binoculars. To prevent this, avoid storing them in a humid environment.
4. Never use household cleaning products to clean the lenses on your binoculars, as they may damage them.
5. Never try to take apart your binoculars to clean the internals. Disassembling the binoculars may void the manufacturer’s warranty, and should only be done by qualified professionals.

For everything binoculars, feel free to head on to OZScopes and browse through our collection of high-quality binoculars from reputable brands!