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
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you clean contact lenses?
Wash your hands, then rub each lens with fresh multi-purpose solution for about 20 seconds per side, rinse it with more solution, and place it in a clean case with fresh solution. Rubbing matters — rinsing alone does not remove protein and debris.
How do you clean a contact lens case?
Empty the case, rub the wells with fresh solution, rinse, and let it air-dry upside down on a clean tissue. Never rinse the case with water, and replace it every month (or as often as the manufacturer recommends).
Can you store contact lenses in water?
No. Water — tap, bottled, or boiled — can carry microbes that cause serious eye infections, and it does not disinfect. Contact lenses must be stored in fresh multi-purpose contact lens solution.
How long can contact lenses stay in solution?
As a general rule, do not leave lenses in a closed case for more than about a week. If you do, remove them, rub and rinse them with fresh solution, and re-disinfect before wearing them again.
Can you clean contact lenses with saline solution?
Saline solution can rinse a lens, but it does not disinfect, so it cannot replace multi-purpose solution for cleaning or storage. Always clean and store lenses in a solution that disinfects.
How often should you replace your contact lens case?
Replace your lens case every month, or every three months at most depending on the manufacturer’s instructions. Also replace it every time you open a new bottle of solution to keep bacteria from building up.
