If you’re a glasses wearer, then you’ll know the importance of keeping your lenses clean.
Maybe you have kids, pets or just travel a lot, keeping your spectacles clean can be challenging. Rain, condensation and skin products are forever making your lenses foggy, with nothing but your shirt to wipe them with.
Overcoming this optical obstacle, Scottish eyewear brand Banton Frameworks have created the perfect accessory for those of us who are always on the go.
Enter the Cloth Capsule.
A gift for people with glasses
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This EDC keyring attachment stores a travel-size microfibre glasses cleaning cloth, so you can keep your lenses clean no matter where you are. The hollow tube canister is machined from brass or stainless steel, and is sealed with a rubber O-ring to keep your lens cloth clean and dry.
Via a 30mm split ring, the Cloth Capsule attaches to your keys, luggage or zip-pulls. It has a screw-cap lid which easily unscrews to reveal the small lens cloth within. Over time, the solid metal capsule-body gathers natural patina from daily wear and tear and becomes a vital part of your glasses cleaning routine.
Banton Frameworks co-founder Jamie Bartlett comments; “The idea came from my brother-in-law when we pulled out a crumpled but necessary lens cloth to wipe his foggy glasses. It was Christmas and the cold weather had clouded his lenses to the point he couldn’t see. I wondered if there was a better way to carry his lens cloth. The Cloth Capsule does exactly that and it’ll be in his stocking this year.”
Like a sponge, glasses cleaning cloths are designed to absorb dirt. Their micro fibres make them great for cleaning optical lenses, but they also get dirty- quick.
Jamie continues; “A dirty lens cloth means dirty lenses. The Cloth Capsule helps keep your cloth clean, dry and on-hand when you’re out and about. If you have kids or pets, keeping your glasses clean can be a nightmare, so this little accessory is a nice way to help with that.”
A safe place store your glasses cleaning cloth
Microfibre cloths are much safer to use with your glasses than using your clothes. Anything other than microfibre runs the risk of scratching your lenses which can impede their optical performance.
With the average cost of spectacle lenses costing $113 (£100) , spectacle lenses don’t come cheap. If you’ve invested in anti-scratch or anti-glare lens coatings, you’ll want to protect your lenses as much as you can, so keeping them clean is crucial for long lasting clarity and consistently good vision.
This is why the Cloth Capsule is such a handy accessory. Attached to your keys or bag, the capsule is always on-hand whenever you need to wipe your lenses clean. They make the perfect gifts for people with glasses who like taking care of their stuff.
- Dimensions of capsule canister: 60mm length 20mm diameter
- Dimensions of Lens cloth: 90mm wide 145mm length. 100gsm thickness
- Dimensions of KeyRing: 30mm diameter
What is the cloth that comes with glasses?
The cloth that comes with your glasses is known as a microfibre cloth. Although it feels like just a soft piece of material, there’s a delicate science behind these optical napkins.
Microfibre is a woven synthetic material that is the softest and safest way to keep your spectacle lenses clean. Used for digital screens, camera lenses and eyeglasses, the fine fibres that make up the cloth measure less than ten microns; 7x thinner than the average human hair.
Because the strands are so thin, the tiny fibres are able to reach into nooks and crannies that regular cloths can’t, making them much more effective at cleaning. Between the microscopic strands are also countless tiny gaps, perfect for absorbing dirt and debris leaving your lenses sparkling clean.
Why not just use a regular cloth?
Other materials such as cotton or wool can easily scratch spectacle lenses. This is because their strands are not as fine as microfibre and have larger surface areas. When it comes to cleaning your glasses, it’s important to use a material that will not damage the surface of the lens.
This is why microfibre is so popular among optical wearers; it is gentle and effective at removing dirt and debris from your lenses without causing any damage. Cotton and wool might feel softer to the touch, but they are more likely to cause scratches on your lenses that can impair your vision.
Why do my glasses keep smudging?
Your spectacle lenses can easily smudge if your hands or your cleaning cloth aren’t clean. The best way to clean your glasses is to have a clean glasses cloth which prevents smearing natural skin oils over your lenses.
In other words, a dirty lens cloth means dirty lenses.
Another reason your lenses get foggy is because you aren’t washing your glasses cloth regularly. Once a week, put your lens cloth in the washing machine. This cleans the microscopic fibres and rids the cloth of any dirt.
To make things easy for yourself, it’s a good idea to rotate between several cloths throughout the week. Having a selection of microfibre cloths is a good way to keep your lenses nice and clean.
What’s the best way to clean glasses?
- Wipe your lenses first to remove any dirt or smudges on your lenses.
- Use your microfibre cloth to clean your temples.
- Lastly, wipe your frame front and nose pads (if they need it).
By wiping your lenses first, you avoid transferring any skin products or natural skin-oil onto your lenses. Afterwards, to clean your cloth, simply run it under cold water and wring it out. You can also use a mild soap if needed. Alternatively, put your cloth on a gentle machine-wash cycle with your clothes. (This is the easiest method!)
When cleaning your lenses, be sure to use gentle, circular motions. Start from the centre of the lens and work your way out. Be sure to use a clean, dry cloth; if the cloth is dirty, it will only transfer dirt and grime back onto your lenses. If you have stubborn smudges, you can always use a lens cleaning solution.
Everyday carry for glasses wearers
For birthdays or Christmas, spectacles are an unlikely gift. But accessories for glasses wearers are rarely useful or desirable.
Co-founder Lucy Ross explains: “Eyewear isn’t a common present, but there’s a real lack of tasteful gift ideas out there for people who wear glasses. The Cloth Capsule is one of those accessories that glasses wearers can appreciate, helping with day-to-day cleaning.”
Aesthetically, the canister is fairly unassuming – the capsule attaches to your keys with a conventional split-ring and looks like a way to store your bud headphones. But on the inside, the capsule contains a vibrant orange cleaning cloth with bespoke artwork featuring a geometric ‘eye’ design.
“For such a functional item, we wanted the cloth to really stand out. Stashed inside the tube, no one sees the bright orange microfibre. Why not make the cloth a talking point when you unfurl it to clean your glasses with?” says co-founder Lucy.
A funky glasses cleaning cloth
Glasses cleaning cloths are generally plain and sometimes a little boring. So, why not opt for something a little more exciting?
The artwork for the Banton Frameworks Cloth Capsule was created by co-founder Jamie Bartlett. It’s a vibrant orange microfibre with a geometric illustration of a human eye. Tucked inside the brass or stainless steel tube, it’s an unexpected array of colour.
Co-founder Jamie adds: “We’ve noticed a real lack of actually useful gifts for people with glasses. When it comes to Christmas or birthday ideas, most of the optical accessories out there are novelty items that don’t serve much purpose. At Banton Frameworks, we’re working on a collection of optically orientated lifestyle products that are aimed towards people who wear glasses.”
“Like a handkerchief or pocket square, your lens cloth can be colourful and flamboyant. When most of our clothes or work attire are so dull, a funky glasses cleaning cloth can be a real talking point.”
Homage to the humble lens cloth, Banton Frameworks recently collaborated with local Scottish illustrator Astrid Jaekel. She produced a custom artwork for the brand, featuring a hand drawn ostrich carousel scene. This bespoke illustration can be seen on their oversized luxury glasses cleaning cloth.
Where to buy the Cloth Capsule
Retailing for £29 / $31, the Cloth capsule is available in stainless steel or brass variants to match your everyday keys.
If you’re looking for gifts for people with glasses, the Cloth Capsule from Banton Frameworks is a great option. The capsule comes with a specifically sized vibrant orange cleaning cloth, with custom artwork featuring a geometric ‘eye’ design. It’s a fun and practical gift that any glasses wearer will appreciate.
The Cloth Capsule is available to buy online via bantonframeworks.co.uk
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About the author
Banton Frameworks Ltd is an optical brand and manufacturer based in the outskirts of Glasgow, Scotland. Established in 2012, Banton Frameworks Ltd proudly designs and manufactures spectacles and sunglasses in their studio-workshop facility. Positioned as classic-contemporary, their understated glasses frames are made from high-quality cellulose acetate and bespoke optical components. As Scotland’s only eyewear manufacturer, they pride themselves on their mantra; Designed well. Made well.
Image Source: The author (Banton Frameworks ltd) has full ownership over the images provided in this document and permits incrediblethings.com to use and publish these images as part of this blog post.
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