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The glasses-cleaning machine
The problem with cleaning your glasses is that the drying action can create new smudge. So the Japanese have invented a machine to address this problem. The contraption has two pools of whirring water, at different temperatures. First you dip your glasses into the vibrating pool of warmer water, where some kind of steam action takes place as well. Afterwards you dip your glasses into the cooler pool of water, which finishes the action and removes the effect of the steam.
I've never ever had my glasses so clean before. I found the glasses-cleaning machine, not surprisingly, in one of the underground passageways near Shinjuku.
Posted by Tyler Cowen on May 23, 2008 at 09:11 AM in Travels | Permalink
Comments
You found a machine like this for sale or it was just sitting there like the shoe buffer at the gym? Just curious because I have perpetual dirty glasses.
Posted by: MH at May 23, 2008 9:57:00 AM
I just wipe mine with my shirt.
Posted by: liberty at May 23, 2008 9:59:54 AM
Ultrasonic cleaning machihnes. Cheap ones can be had for as low as 50USD in Europe.
Posted by: These are at May 23, 2008 10:12:37 AM
Rarely have I read anything that inspired such immediate "must... have... gadget" lust in me as this post.
Posted by: Jacob T. Levy at May 23, 2008 10:18:06 AM
WANT!
Posted by: lolcat at May 23, 2008 10:54:11 AM
i'll just keep my perfect eyes forever, thankyouverymuch, and to hell with old age.
Posted by: shawn at May 23, 2008 11:10:35 AM
In my own limited experience, I have to say that in commercial settings the US is the worst when it comes to getting soap residue off of glasses.
Posted by: Mercutio.Mont at May 23, 2008 1:04:52 PM
What Jacob said.
Posted by: Juan at May 23, 2008 1:08:55 PM
Is is something like this:
http://www.outletpc.com/c6378.html
Posted by: nick at May 23, 2008 1:52:13 PM
Neat! I'm always afraid of damaging the coating on my lenses though.
Posted by: Mr. Econotarian at May 23, 2008 2:36:06 PM
Just use Sprayway. Comes in a can at Walmart for three bucks and can be used to clean CRT projector lenses. It's the best glass cleaner in the world and leaves no streaks. You'll go around your house and your car looking for glass to clean because it's so good.
Posted by: Jacob Oost at May 23, 2008 2:57:35 PM
Sounds clever. I'd love to see it in action. I use a mister to spray alcohol on my glasses, then wipe with a cotton shirt/cloth. Been doing it for year with no scratches.
Posted by: Speedmaster at May 23, 2008 4:00:55 PM
microfiber towels also work well. The Clean-Rite 7-512 12-Pk is less than $15 on Amazon and they can be used to clean everything.
Posted by: chug at May 23, 2008 5:32:10 PM
On the same tangent: has anyone found a decent fogless shower mirror?
Mine, from Brookstone--I think, is wretched
Posted by: Delirious at May 23, 2008 10:42:05 PM
I often use the steam wand of my espresso machine, and a clean soft t-shirt once or twice a day…
Posted by: mjm at May 24, 2008 1:13:44 AM
Ah yes. Generally these machines are found outside eyewear stores. I think they use ultrasound.
Posted by: Tim at May 24, 2008 4:33:37 AM
Go to an eyeglass store. Buy a bottle of their sprayable alcohol solution.
Problem solved.
Do you want me to solve economics for you as well?
Posted by: Dave at May 24, 2008 9:47:47 AM
HA! In America, we have LASIK.
Posted by: xocvhoxci at May 24, 2008 3:19:18 PM
I second the recommendation of microfiber cloths. They work amazingly well.
Posted by: Trieu at May 24, 2008 3:54:09 PM
I must be slow, but I do not understand the description of how this works...
How do the glasses get dry after dipping them in the cooler pool of water?
What does two pools have to do with it, anyway?
Posted by: Nemo at May 24, 2008 8:43:01 PM
I use generic glass cleaner. Two drops (from a little one-ounce dispenser) on each side of each lens and wipe dry with a "dedicated" cloth diaper.
Gets 'em clean everytime.
Posted by: teabow at May 24, 2008 8:44:10 PM
Hmmm... We had this thing in Hong Kong for ages. Not on street or MTR station. But most optometrists offer this service free.
@Nemo
I think it uses ultrasound to blast off the dirt. The Japanese in the picture says "Ultrasound Cleaning Device"
Posted by: A. Kong at May 25, 2008 8:36:06 AM
