How to Take Care of Monthly Contacts? | Lens Care Routine

For the full breakdown, see our best Contact Solution For Monthly Contacts guide.

The Daily Care Routine for Monthly Contacts

Every time you remove your monthly lenses, follow this sequence without shortcuts.

• Wash and dry your hands thoroughly with soap and water, then dry with a lint-free towel. Touching lenses with damp or contaminated fingers transfers bacteria directly to the eye.
• Remove one lens and place it in the palm of your hand. Apply contact lens solution and rub the lens gently with a clean fingertip for about 10–15 seconds.
• Rinse the lens with fresh solution before placing it in the case. This washes away the loosened debris.
• Fill your lens case with fresh solution—never “top off” old solution by adding a few drops. Old solution has lost its disinfecting power and may harbor bacteria. Use enough solution to completely cover the lens.
• Store the lenses for at least six hours or overnight, depending on your solution’s required soaking time.
• Repeat for the other eye and close the case tightly.

How to Clean and Replace Your Lens Case

A dirty lens case can re-infect your lenses even after they have been properly disinfected. After inserting your lenses each morning, empty the case, rinse it with fresh solution (not tap water), and let it air-dry face-down on a clean tissue.

Rules: What to Never Do With Monthly Contacts

The safety rules for monthly contacts are simple but non-negotiable. Violating any of them significantly raises your infection risk.

• Never use water or saliva on lenses. Tap water and bottled water contain microorganisms that can cause severe eye infections. Saliva is worse—your mouth is loaded with bacteria that do not belong in your eye.
• Never sleep in monthly lenses unless your eye doctor has specifically approved it for your eyes. Monthly lenses are not designed for extended wear, and overnight use dramatically increases the risk of corneal ulcers.
• Never reuse old solution or pour solution into a different bottle, which breaks sterility, per the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
• If you put lenses in storage and forget about them, check the package insert for re-disinfection instructions before wearing them again.
• Do not use saline or rewetting drops as a substitute for disinfecting solution.

When to Replace Your Monthly Contacts

Monthly contacts are designed to be replaced every 30 days, or as directed by your eye doctor. If you use a hydrogen peroxide cleaning system, follow the product insert exactly—the steps and soak times differ from multipurpose solutions, and the peroxide must be fully neutralized before the lenses touch your eyes.