The quick answer: wash your hands, rub each lens with fresh multi-purpose solution for about 20 seconds per side, rinse it, then store it in a clean case filled with fresh solution. Never use water, saliva, or “topped-up” old solution — and replace your lens case every month. Below is the complete routine we recommend for cleaning and storing both clear and colored contact lenses.
In this guide:
- The rub-and-rinse cleaning routine, step by step
- How to store lenses properly (case + solution)
- How to clean your contact lens case
- What never to do — water, saliva, and DIY solutions
- Extra care tips for colored contacts
Before You Start: Clean Hands, Clean Surface
Contact lens care starts before you ever touch a lens. Wash your hands with plain soap and water for at least 20 seconds, then dry them with a lint-free towel — skip moisturizing or scented soaps, since the residue can stick to the lens. Work over a clean counter with the sink drain closed so a dropped lens never disappears, and always grip lenses with your fingertips, not your nails.
How to Clean Contact Lenses: The Rub-and-Rinse Method
Cleaning is not just about rinsing — rubbing is what actually removes protein, makeup, and debris. Here is our step-by-step routine:
- Remove one lens and place it in the palm of your hand.
- Add two or three drops of fresh multi-purpose solution directly onto the lens.
- Rub gently with your fingertip for about 20 seconds on each side, using a light back-and-forth motion.
- Rinse the lens with more fresh solution to wash away anything you loosened.
- Place the lens in the correct side of your case — right lens in the “R” well, left lens in the “L” well — and cover it with fresh solution.
- Repeat for the other lens, then close the case securely.
Always clean your lenses right after removing them, when deposits are still soft and easy to remove. If you are wearing high-opacity colored contacts, a thorough rub is extra important — pigment-rich lenses collect buildup more visibly, and a clean lens always looks brighter.
How to Store Contact Lenses
Storage is simple once you follow the golden rules:
- Always use fresh solution and make sure the lens is fully submerged.
- Never “top up” — topping off old solution dilutes the disinfectant and leaves bacteria behind.
- Keep the case sealed between wears.
- Store at room temperature, away from heat and humidity. A bathroom cabinet is one of the worst spots.
- Follow your replacement schedule. Monthly lenses are stored after each wear; daily lenses are worn once and thrown away, never stored.
How long can lenses stay in solution? As a rule of thumb, do not leave monthly lenses in a closed case for more than about a week without re-cleaning. If you go longer, rub, rinse, and re-disinfect before wearing. For more everyday habits, our colored contacts safety guide covers wear times, dryness, and more.
How to Clean Your Contact Lens Case
The case is the part of the routine most people skip — and it is exactly where bacteria love to hide. Here is how we care for ours:
- Empty the case after each wear and rub the wells with fresh solution using a clean fingertip.
- Rinse the wells with fresh solution — never water.
- Leave the case open, upside down on a clean tissue to air-dry completely between wears.
- Replace the case every month (or every three months, following the manufacturer’s instructions on the packaging) and every time you buy a new bottle of solution.
Never store your case in the bathroom or in a closed purse right after use — trapped moisture is what lets bacteria multiply. A dry case is a clean case.
What NOT to Do: Water, Saliva, and DIY Solutions
Some “hacks” you see online can seriously hurt your eyes. Never do any of these:
- Never rinse or store lenses in tap, bottled, or boiled water. Water can carry infection-causing microbes and can damage the lens itself.
- Never use saliva. Your mouth is full of bacteria — a lens moistened with saliva is a one-way ticket to an infection.
- Never use saline-only solution for storage. Saline rinses but does not disinfect; lenses need a multi-purpose solution that kills microbes.
- Never make your own solution from salt and water. It is not sterile and can damage both the lens and your eye.
- Never store a lens “dry” or rehydrate it later. A dried-out lens can crack, so throw it away and open a fresh one.
If you ever find yourself without solution, the safest move is to throw the lenses away and wear glasses until you can open a fresh pair — cheap replacement beats an expensive eye infection every time.
Do Colored Contacts Need Different Care?
Cosmetic lenses follow the same care rules as clear lenses — same solution, same rubbing, same case hygiene. A few extras worth knowing:
- High-opacity lenses (bold or dramatic colors) can feel slightly thicker, so give them a full 20-second rub on both sides every single time.
- Always inspect the lens before inserting: if the color layer looks damaged, cracked, or faded, do not wear it.
- Never share colored contacts, even with your best friend. Shared lenses spread bacteria and can scar corneas.
- Store colored lenses in a labeled case so the right and left lenses never get mixed up.
Because every pair we sell is a medical device, U.S. regulations require a valid prescription for all contact lenses, including zero-power cosmetic lenses — our prescription colored contacts guide explains how to get one.
Keep It Simple: Your Daily Care Cheat Sheet
If you remember nothing else: wash hands → rub 20 seconds per side → rinse → store in fresh solution → air-dry the case. Never top up solution, never use water or saliva, and never sleep in lenses. Replace the case monthly. When in doubt, throw it out — fresh lenses are always the safer choice.
Careful cleaning and storage takes about two minutes a day, keeps your eyes comfortable, and keeps your colored contacts looking vivid wear after wear.
Shop Colored Contacts That Deserve Good Care
Great lenses make the routine worth it. Here are a few favorites our customers clean and store the right way:
- Queen Chocolate Colored Contacts — a warm, everyday brown with a soft, natural finish
- Real Khaki Colored Contacts — an earthy, understated khaki that flatters light and dark eyes
- Real Crystal Colored Contacts — a bright, natural-looking crystal tone with a subtle sparkle
Every pair ships sealed and sterile, ready for its first clean. Pick your color, add your prescription at checkout, and we’ll handle the rest — and our prescription verification page explains how we check each order.
