Cleaning monthly contacts correctly means washing your hands, rubbing each lens with multipurpose solution for about 20 seconds per side, rinsing, then soaking in fresh disinfecting solution for at least 4 to 6 hours — never with tap water or by topping off old solution.
One wrong move with monthly lenses can turn a routine into a trip to the eye doctor. The real risk isn’t complicated care — it’s the shortcuts that seem harmless: a quick rinse under the faucet, a splash of saliva to wet the lens, or just adding fresh solution to yesterday’s leftovers. Here is exactly how to clean monthly contacts the right way, every time.
The Correct Cleaning Method for Monthly Contacts
The rub-and-rinse method is the gold standard for monthly soft lenses, even when the solution bottle says “no-rub.” Place the clean lens in a case filled completely with new disinfecting solution. Repeat for the other lens. Soak time varies by brand but commonly runs 4 to 8 hours — overnight is safest for most multipurpose solutions.
How to Clean Your Lens Case Properly
The lens case is the most overlooked source of contamination in contact lens care. After inserting your lenses each morning, empty the case, rinse it with fresh multipurpose solution (never tap water), and leave it open to air dry upside down on a clean tissue. Replace the case entirely at least once every three months — or immediately if you see any cracks, cloudiness, or residue. A dirty case can reinfect clean lenses within hours.
Common Mistakes That Increase Infection Risk
The biggest danger is tap water. Both the AAO and AOA warn that water contains microorganisms that can cause severe corneal infections — never rinse or store lenses in it. Saliva is equally dangerous and not sterile. Reusing old solution or “topping off” the case dilutes the disinfectant and allows bacteria to grow. Skipping the rub step because a solution claims to be “no-rub” is another frequent error; the AAO explicitly says to disregard that label and rub and rinse anyway. Finally, not soaking long enough — cutting a 6-hour soak to 2 hours — reduces disinfection effectiveness significantly.
Vital safety note: never substitute saline, rewetting drops, or homemade solutions for disinfecting multipurpose solution. Saline and rewetting drops are not disinfectants and will not kill microorganisms. If your eye-care professional prescribed a specific care system, use that system rather than swapping it for another type — compatibility matters. For a detailed comparison of the best options available today, see our tested roundup of contact solutions for monthly contacts.
Hydrogen Peroxide Systems: A Faster Alternative With a Catch
Hydrogen peroxide systems clean more aggressively than multipurpose solutions but require strict attention. Fill the case to the marked line with fresh hydrogen peroxide solution — never multipurpose solution — and soak for at least 6 hours. Do not shake the container, and never rush the process: placing lenses in before the neutralizing disk has fully worked will cause burning and stinging when you insert them.
FAQs
Can I use water to rinse my contact lenses?
No. Tap water, bottled water, and distilled water all contain microorganisms that can cause serious eye infections. Only use fresh multipurpose disinfecting solution or the appropriate hydrogen peroxide solution for rinsing and storing your monthly contacts.
How long should monthly contacts soak overnight?
Most multipurpose solutions require a minimum soak of 4 to 8 hours, with 6 hours being the common sweet spot. Hydrogen peroxide systems require at least 6 hours for full neutralization. Always check the specific solution label, and overnight soaking is the safest habit regardless.
What happens if I use the same solution two nights in a row?
Reusing or “topping off” old solution is dangerous. Used solution has already lost most of its disinfecting ability and may contain bacteria from the previous soak. Always empty the case, rinse it, and fill it with completely fresh solution each time you store your lenses.
References & Sources
- American Optometric Association. “Contact Lens Care.” Official guidance on rub-rinse-soak times and safety warnings.
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. “Contact Lens Care.” Detailed cleaning steps and infection-prevention rules.
- CooperVision. “Cleaning Contact Lenses.” Manufacturer-backed step-by-step cleaning instructions.