Effective Methods for Safely Cleaning Your Eyes: How To Properly Clean Your Eyes

Cleaning the eyes refers to the process of removing any harmful or irritating substances from the eye. Generally, the eyes will naturally clean themselves with tears as you blink. You may also wash your eyes as you wash your face or when in the shower. However, there are certain circumstances in which the eyes will need to be actively cleaned to remove harmful or irritating substances. If the eyes have come into contact with chemicals, have been affected by discharge or mucus or if the eye has dirt or debris in it, then cleaning the eyes is important. The best way to wash out the eyes in these scenarios involves using clean, lukewarm water or a sterile, eye-safe solution to flush out any harmful substances or irritants. If you are wondering how to wash out the eye keep reading below.

It is important to note that this article on how to clean the eyes is a general overview and not a replacement for medical care. If the eyes have been affected by chemicals, discharge, dirt or debris, it is important to see a healthcare professional as soon as possible.

How To Properly Clean Eyes That Come Into Contact with Chemicals?

The way to clean an eye or eyes that have come into contact with chemicals is to check the chemical container for instructions, wash the hands, remove contact lenses, flush the eye with lukewarm water or sterile liquid like a saline solution, cover the eye and go to an emergency room as soon as possible. Chemicals can cause serious damage if they come into contact with the eye, so it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Chemicals in the eye refer to chemicals such as acids or alkali, whether liquid or powder, coming into contact with the eye. Chemicals may come into contact with the eyes due to misuse or a lack of protective gear. When handling chemicals it is important to wear the appropriate protective wear such as protection goggles. If chemicals come into contact with the eyes, the ways to clean the chemically contacted eyes are listed below.

Check the chemical container for instructions: Check the chemical container for instructions on what to do if the chemicals come into contact with the eyes or skin. If there are none, move on to step two.
Wash the hands: Wash the hands before touching the eye or flushing the eye to prevent any residual chemicals, dirt or bacteria from getting into the eye.
Remove contact lenses if wearing: Removing contact lenses is an important step in cleaning the eye to ensure the entire eye can be cleaned.
Flush the eye with clean, lukewarm water or sterile liquid like saline solution: Flush the eye with clean lukewarm water or a sterile liquid like saline solution as soon as possible after the eye comes into contact with a chemical to clean the eye.
Cover the eye: Cover the eye that has been affected by chemicals after it has been flushed, to prevent further injury or irritation.
Go to an emergency room: Go to an emergency room as soon as possible after the eye has been flushed and covered so a healthcare professional can assess the damage and provide treatment if needed.

An illustration of a person cleaning chemicals out of their eyes by putting their head under running water.

1. Check the Chemical Container for Instructions

Checking the chemical container for instructions on what to do if the chemical comes into contact with the eyes or skin is an essential step in dealing with chemicals in the eyes. According to Safe Work Australia, it is required that hazardous chemicals used in workplace environments are labelled correctly and come with a safety data sheet detailing first aid instructions in the event of an accident. If there is no labelling or safety data sheet that gives instructions on how to proceed with cleaning the eye, move on to flushing the eye.

2. Wash the Hands

Wash the hands before flushing the eye to ensure there are no residual chemicals or any dirt or bacteria on the hands that may enter the eye. Wash the hands with soap and clean water for at least 30 seconds before touching the eye.

3. Remove Contact Lenses if Wearing

Removing contact lenses is an important step in cleaning the eyes as it allows for the whole eye to be cleaned. Contact lenses act as a barrier between the water and the eye and if they stay in, may not allow for all of the chemical to be washed away.

4. Flush with Clean, Lukewarm Water or Sterile Liquid Like Saline Solution

Flush the eye with clean, lukewarm water or sterile liquid-like saline solution as soon as possible after the eye has come into contact with the chemical. To flush the eye, pour the water or saline over the eyeball. You can use a small glass and hold it up to the eye to do this. The eye can also be flushed in the shower, or under a tap, using lukewarm water. Eye flushing is recommended for approximately 15 minutes. According to Better Health, flushing the eye with water or saline solution can reduce the risk of injury or long-term damage after chemical contact.

5. Cover the Eye

Covering the eye after chemical contact and subsequent rinsing is helpful in making sure that the eye remains protected from any further damage or injury. According to Health Direct, sterile gauze or a clean pad are the best materials to use to cover the eye after a chemical burn to the eye.

6. Go to an Emergency Room as soon as Possible

It is important that you go to an emergency room as soon as possible after your eyes have come into contact with chemicals, even if you have flushed the eye. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is not recommended to put eye drops, or anything in the eye beyond water or a sterile saline solution after chemical contact. A healthcare professional will be able to assess the eye for further damage and provide treatment where needed. Chemicals in the eye can lead to serious eye injury, so it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible. As your vision may be affected by a chemical in the eye, it is recommended that you do not drive yourself to the emergency room.

How To Properly Clean Discharge or Mucus From The Eyes?

The way to clean your eyes if they have been affected by discharge is to wash your hands, remove contact lenses, apply a warm compress to the closed eye for a few minutes, wipe the eye gently from the inner to the outer corner, and contact a healthcare professional if you are concerned about eye discharge. Eye discharge can be caused by a range of things including conjunctivitis (pink eye), allergies, eye infections and can even build up during sleep. Eye discharge may be a water consistency, sticky or crusty and can range in colour from clear to yellow. The type of discharge or mucus in the eye will be determined by what is causing the discharge. For example, an eye infection may produce yellow, sticky discharge or mucus. The ways to clean the eyes if they have been affected by discharge or mucus are listed below.

Wash the hands: Washing the hands is an important first step in cleaning the eyes as it prevents any dirt or bacteria from entering the eye.
Remove contact lenses: Remove contact lenses from the affected eyes so that they may be cleaned fully and without a barrier.
Apply a warm compress to the closed eye for a few minutes: Applying a warm compress to a closed eye for a few minutes can help to break down discharge and provide relief for any irritation.
Wipe the eye gently from the inner to the outer corner: Wiping the eye gently from the inner to the outer corner will help to remove the discharge or mucus from the eyes.
Contact a healthcare professional: Contacting a healthcare professional is important if you have eye discharge you are concerned about or believe it may be an infection such as conjunctivitis.

An illustration of an eye with mucus of discharge around the eyelids and surrounding skin that needs to be cleaned.

1. Wash the Hands

Wash the hands before cleaning discharge or mucus from the eye to ensure there is no dirt or bacteria entering the eye. It is important to wash the hands for at least 30 seconds using soap and clean water so that the hands are clean and will not spread germs into the eye when it is being cleaned.

2. Remove Contact Lenses

Remove contact lenses before cleaning the eye of discharge or mucus so that the eye can be cleaned fully without a barrier and to prevent the spreading of infection. If the discharge or mucus is being caused by an infection such as conjunctivitis, it is generally recommended to stop wearing contact lenses until the infection has cleared as they may re-infect your eyes if they are continuously put in and taken out.

3. Apply a Warm Compress to the Closed Eye for a Few Minutes

Applying a warm compress to the closed eye for a few minutes can help break down any discharge or mucus around the eye, making it easier to clean. A warm compress is generally a piece of cloth that has been soaked in warm water and applied to an area of the body. A warm compress can be used to help increase blood flow to an area of the body and reduce swelling. Warm compresses on the eye can relieve irritation if eye discharge is being caused by conjunctivitis or allergies. According to NYU Langone Health, warm compresses can help reduce the build-up of eye discharge or mucus in the case of conjunctivitis. Use a new compress for each eye each time you apply it, as using the same cloth may spread an infection if that is what’s causing the eye discharge.

4. Wipe the Eye Gently from the Inner to the Outer Corner

Wiping the eye gently, from the inner to the outer corner can help to clean eye discharge or mucus. Using a clean, wet cloth or cotton ball, wipe away the discharge starting from the inner corner, to the outer edge of the eye. It is important to use a clean cloth or cotton ball for each eye so you do not spread an infection if that is what is causing the eye discharge.

5. Contact a Healthcare Professional

It is important to contact a healthcare professional if you have eye discharge as this may be a sign of an eye infection such as conjunctivitis. A certain amount of eye discharge or mucus may be normal when waking up in the morning or if you have allergies. However, if you have yellow, sticky discharge, or an excess of discharge, this may be an indication of an infection such as conjunctivitis which will require treatment from a healthcare professional.

How To Properly Clean Debris or Dirt From Your Eyes?

The way to clean your eyes if they have dirt or debris in them is to first wash your hands, blink several times to flush the dirt or debris with tears, flush the eye with clean water or a sterile solution like saline, and contact a healthcare professional if symptoms persist. Dirt or debris may end up in the eye for several reasons including wind, rubbing of the eye or not wearing protective eyewear at work. Debris that may end up in the eye can include sand, dust or small fragments of metal and wood. The symptoms of dirt or debris in the eye include a feeling of something in the eye, itchiness, irritation, watery eyes and redness. The ways to clean your eyes if they have debris or dirt in them are listed below.

Wash the hands: Washing the hands is an important step in cleaning the eyes to ensure you do not spread any dirt or germs into the eyes.
Remove contact lenses: Remove contact lenses before cleaning debris or dirt from the eye.
Blink several times to flush the dirt or debris with tears: Blinking the eyes several times to flush the eyes may help to clear the dirt or debris from the eyes naturally.
Flush the eye with clean water or a sterile solution like saline: Flushing the eye with clean water or a sterile solution such as saline can help dislodge and remove the dirt or debris from the eye.
Contact a healthcare professional if symptoms persist: Contacting a healthcare professional is important if the dirt or debris remains in the eye.

A person rubbing their eye which is irritated by dirt or debris

1. Wash the Hands

Washing the hands is an important step in cleaning dirt or debris from the eye. Washing the hands with soap and clean water before cleaning the eye of dirt or debris ensures that the person does not spread any additional dirt or bacteria into the eye. Once you have washed your hands, you can inspect the eye and try to locate the debris or dirt in the eye.

2. Remove Contact Lenses

Remove contact lenses when cleaning dirt or debris from the eye so that the eye can be fully cleaned. Contact lenses provide a barrier between the eye and potential dirt and debris, however, sometimes substances may get trapped in the contact, against the eye. It is important to remove contact lenses so the eye may be thoroughly flushed and cleaned. Make sure contacts are washed and properly stored when removed.

3. Blink Several Times to Flush the Dirt or Debris With Tears.

Blinking several times may help to flush out the dirt or debris with tears. The eyes produce tears to protect and lubricate the eyes, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Blinking several times may encourage the eyes to tear which can help dislodge the dirt or debris. If this is not effective, then the eyes may need to be flushed.

4. Flush the Eye with Clean Water or a Sterile Solution like Saline

Flushing the eye with clean, lukewarm water or a sterile solution can help to clean out dirt or debris that has entered the eye. Flushing the eye refers to using water or a sterile solution like saline to clean the eyes. To flush the eyes, the water or saline solution can be gently poured over the eye. To do this, fill a glass with the water or saline solution and hold this up to the eyeball, according to Health Direct. Alternatively, flushing the eye under lukewarm tap water from a sink or shower can work also. Flushing the eye should be done for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

5. Contact a Healthcare Professional if Symptoms Persist

Contact a healthcare professional if your symptoms persist and you feel that the dirt or debris remains stuck in the eye. The symptoms of dirt or debris in the eye can include a feeling of something in the eye, itchiness, irritation and redness. If you have flushed the eye and do not feel this has worked, contact a healthcare professional for treatment.

How Do You Properly Clean Your Eyes When You Wear Contact Lenses?

The way to clean your eyes if you wear contact lenses is to take the contact lenses out first, with clean hands, then flush or wash the eye as normal. According to Health Direct, contact lenses should not be removed in the case of chemical contact, if there is significant damage to the front of the eye. It is otherwise advised that contact lenses are removed before the eyes are washed. If you have dirt or debris in the eye, this can get stuck underneath the eye, so it is important to remove the lenses where possible.

Why Do You Need to Clean Your Eyes?

It is important to clean your eyes, particularly if they have been in contact with chemicals, discharge, dirt or debris to ensure they are free from any harmful substances, do not become irritated and so you can see clearly and comfortably. It is important to clean the eyes if they have been in contact with chemicals to ensure that the chemicals are flushed out as soon as possible. If the eyes are producing discharge or mucus, it is important to clean the eyes so that you are able to see properly and are comfortable and do not further spread an infection. If you have dirt or debris in the eyes, it is important to clean this out so that this does not irritate the eyes and any bacteria, viruses or fungi that may cause infection can be removed from the eyes.

What are the Risks of Not Cleaning Your Eyes Regularly?

The risks of not cleaning the eyes regularly can include an increased risk of eye infections such as conjunctivitis. It is important to regularly clean the eyes if you are wearing eye makeup or contact lenses, to ensure that the eyes are not being affected by bacteria. However, generally speaking, the eyes will clean themselves regularly with tears and may also be cleaned when showering or washing the face. This means there is little need to clean the eyes regularly using methods such as flushing the eye.

Can Cleaning Your Eyes Prevent Infections?

Yes, cleaning the eyes can help prevent eye infections. Eye infections refer to infections of the eye caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. Cleaning the eyes may help to prevent eye infections by preventing these from entering the eye and leading to infection.

What is the Best Time to Clean Your Eyes?

The best time to clean your eyes is dependent upon the reason you are cleaning the eyes. If you have an eye infection such as blepharitis and need to clean crusted eyelashes, the best time would be in the morning as crusted eyelashes are more commonly present when a person wakes up and may cause the eyelids to stick together. If you have conjunctivitis or pink eye, it is recommended to clean the eyes of any discharge several times a day.

What Should You Do if Your Eyes Are Irritated After Cleaning?

If your eyes become irritated after cleaning, it is important to see a healthcare professional as soon as possible. Eye irritation refers to the eyes feeling itchy, stinging, burning or appearing red. According to My Health Alberta, it is common for the eyes to be slightly painful or irritated after eye flushing, however, this should ease quickly. If you have persistent pain or irritation after eye flushing or cleaning the eye, seek medical attention from a healthcare professional.

What are the Common Mistakes People Make When Cleaning their Eyes?

The common mistakes people make when cleaning their eyes are using hot water to wash the eyes, rubbing the eyes and not seeking medical attention in serious situations. These common mistakes and their definitions are listed below.

Using hot water: Using hot or warm water can be uncomfortable when washing your eyes and potentially harmful. Make sure to use cold or lukewarm clean water to wash the eyes.
Rubbing the eye: Do not rub the eyes before, during, or after cleaning your eyes as it can cause irritation, especially if the eyes have come into contact with chemicals or there is dirt or debris on the surface of the eye.
Not seeking medical attention: If your eyes have come into contact with chemicals or you have sustained an injury, you should seek medical attention from a professional who can provide proper care.

Is it Safe to Use Tap Water to Clean Your Eyes?

Tap water can be safe to use when cleaning your eyes if there are no other sterile options available. Tap water may contain bacteria or viruses that can irritate the eyes and lead to infection, meaning it is not as safe to use when cleaning the eyes as sterile solutions such as a saline solution. However, in an emergency situation when there are chemicals or dirt or debris in the eye that need to be removed immediately, using tap water to flush the eye may be safer than leaving the harmful substance in the eye. It is not generally recommended to clean the eyes with tap water if you wear contact lenses as they may trap bacteria or viruses against the eye, increasing the risk of infection.

A person splashing water on their face over a bathroom sink using water from a running tap to clean their eyes.

What are the Home Remedies to Clean Your Eyes?

The home remedies for cleaning your eyes include saline solution, eyewash and flushing the eye with clean water. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before using eye care such as saline solution or eyewash to clean the eyes as these may not be suitable for everyone. If your eyes have dirt or debris in them or have been affected by chemicals it is important to clean them as soon as possible and seek medical attention immediately. The home remedies for cleaning the eyes at home are listed below.

Saline Solution: Saline solution is a mix of water and salt that can be used to clean the eyes. Saline solution can be bought over-the-counter at a pharmacy, or made at home and when done correctly, should resemble distilled water, according to Medical News Today.
Eyewash: Eyewashes are a type of solution designed to wash the eye of irritants. Eyewashes are available over-the-counter and can be performed at home.
Flushing the eye with clean water: Flushing the eye with clean water can be an effective way to remove chemicals, discharge, dirt or debris from the eye. You can flush the eye at home with clean water in the shower, in the sink, using a bowl of water or using a cup held against the eye.

What are the Safety Tips for Cleaning Your Eyes?

The safety tips a person should follow when cleaning their eyes include seeking medical attention if the situation is serious, not rubbing the eyes if there are chemicals in there or there is an eye injury, not cleaning the eye while wearing contact lenses and not cleaning the eyes all the time. These tips and their definitions are listed below.

Seek medical attention if serious: If your eyes come into contact with chemicals or debris, it is important to seek medical attention so your eyes can be assessed by a healthcare professional.
Do not rub the eyes: Try not to rub your eyes before, during and after cleaning as it can irritate your eyes especially if there is dust or debris on the surface of the eye.
Do not wear contact lenses: If you need to clean your eyes and wear contact lenses, make sure to take them out before you begin as if you have dirt or other debris in the eye, it can get stuck underneath the eye.
Do not clean eyes all the time: You should only clean or flush the eyes when necessary such as if they come into contact with chemicals or you need to clean mucus or other crusted flakes out of the eye.

Do People Need to Clean Their Eyes on a Regular Basis?

No, people do not need to clean their eyes on a regular basis or when the eyes are in good health. According to Medical News Today, the eyes clean themselves on a regular basis using tear fluid in the eyes that is administered during blinking. It is not recommended to clean the eyes regularly as this can cause irritation and potentially cause eye infections.