Binoculars can be expensive so to protect your investment and keep your binoculars in good working order for many years, proper binocular care is very important. Binoculars do not require a great deal of maintenance but there are some simple things you can do to keep them in tip top shape for a very long time.
The first thing you can do is to simply be careful. Avoid getting them wet, dirty or constantly dropping them. Dirt on the lenses will make it difficult for your binoculars to focus and will make images blurry. Dirt is also abrasive and can do permanent damage to your lenses. Water is very corrosive so you’ll want to keep them as dry as possible. And dropping your binoculars repeatedly can mis-align the lenses. To help prevent dropping your binoculars or getting them wet or dirty it is a good idea to keep them in their case when you’re not using them and to keep them around your neck when you are using them.
Prevention is a big step toward keeping your binoculars working properly for a long time but they will get wet and dirty at some point, it is simply unavoidable. If you use your binoculars for enjoying a baseball game they probably won’t get very dirty but if you use your binoculars at the beach you are surrounded by sand and corrosive saltwater. The mist is in the air and it is simply unavoidable. Regardless of how you use your binoculars you will have to take some steps to keep them clean.
Cleaning is a big part of proper binocular care. Keeping them clean is not difficult but it needs to be done and there are a few important tips to keep in mind. You will want to wipe dirt or moisture off of any metal parts and you’ll want to keep your lenses clean. To wipe down your lenses do not use any old rag or tissue. Although cloths and tissues may feel smooth they do have a rough surface that can scratch and damage your lenses. Use a microfiber cloth or a cleaning tissue specifically designed for lens cleaning.
To keep your lenses clean fold your microfiber cloth or lens cleaning tissue a couple of times to create multiple layers. This will help you avoid getting oil from your fingers onto the surface of the lens. Wipe down your lenses very gently using a circular motion to remove any dust or moisture.
If you notice any moisture or dirt inside your binoculars do not attempt to open them because it is easy to mis-align the lenses. If the internal components need to be cleaned it would be best to have this done by a professional. A good pair of waterproof binoculars will almost guarantee that the inside components will never get wet or dirty so you may want to seriously consider getting a pair that specifically states that it is waterproof.
Proper binocular care is really as simple as being careful to avoid getting them wet or dirty and to avoid damaging them and simply wiping them down with the proper type of cloth. That’s really all there is to it and although caring for your binoculars is very simple it is also extremely important.
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