How to Care for Colored Contacts: The Complete Cleaning & Storage Guide

Quick answer

To care for colored contacts: clean them with fresh multipurpose solution after every wear, store them in a clean case with new solution, never expose them to water, and replace them on schedule. Good care is what separates comfortable, safe wear from irritation and infection – the color lasts as long as the hygiene does.

What you need

• Multipurpose contact lens solution (or the system your provider recommends).
• A clean lens case, replaced every 1–3 months.
• Clean, dry, lint-free hands and surface.

Never substitute tap water, distilled water, or saliva for solution. Water carries microbes – including Acanthamoeba – that cause serious eye infections.

The daily cleaning routine

1. Wash and dry your hands with soap before touching lenses.
2. Remove one lens and place it in your clean palm.
3. Add a few drops of solution and gently rub the lens with a fingertip for about 10–20 seconds. This "rub and rinse" step removes deposits even with "no-rub" solutions.
4. Rinse the lens with fresh solution.
5. Store it in the correct chamber of a clean case filled with fresh solution.
6. Repeat for the second lens, keeping left and right consistent.

Storage rules

• Always use fresh solution – never top off old solution ("topping off" lets bacteria survive).
• Keep lenses fully submerged so they do not dry out.
• Empty and rinse the case with solution after each use, then air-dry it face down on a clean tissue.
• Replace the case every 1–3 months, or sooner if it looks worn.
• Store the case somewhere clean and dry – not on the edge of a sink or in a steamy bathroom.

Solution types at a glance

Type	How it works	Note
Multipurpose	Cleans, rinses, disinfects, stores	Most common; still rub and rinse
Hydrogen peroxide	Deep clean with a neutralizing case	Never put in the eye before neutralizing
Saline	Rinsing only	Does not disinfect – not for storage

Handling tips

• Apply lenses before makeup and remove them before taking makeup off.
• Keep nails short and smooth to avoid tearing a lens or scratching your eye.
• If a lens feels gritty, take it out and rinse it rather than pushing through.
• A torn, dried-out, or deposit-clouded lens should be discarded – do not try to rescue it.

What to avoid

• Water of any kind – showering, swimming, or rinsing in tap water.
• Sleeping in lenses not approved for overnight wear.
• Sharing lenses with anyone.
• Wearing lenses past their replacement date to "get more out of them."

Replacing on schedule

Colored contacts are rated for a set life – commonly 6 months or 12 months for reusables. The clock starts when you open and first wear them, not when you finish them. Track the date and discard on time even if a lens still looks fine; deposits and material breakdown you cannot see make old lenses riskier. Unsure which cycle suits you? See 6-month vs annual colored contacts.

Travel care

Carry a travel-size bottle of your usual solution and a spare case. Never decant solution into an unlabeled container, and never use hotel tap water in a pinch – pack enough solution instead. Keep lenses in your carry-on so they are not exposed to extreme temperatures.

When to stop and seek help

Remove your lenses and contact an eye care professional if you have lasting redness, pain, blurred vision, light sensitivity, or discharge. For more on staying safe, read are colored contacts safe?

Troubleshooting common problems

Problem	Likely cause	What to do
Lens feels gritty or scratchy	Debris, a flipped lens, or a deposit buildup	Remove, rinse with fresh solution, check it is not inside-out, reinsert
Blurry vision through the lens	Lens inside-out, dirty, or off-center	Recenter or remove and clean; replace if still cloudy
Eyes dry by afternoon	Long wear, screens, or dry air	Use approved rewetting drops and shorten wear time
Lens keeps tearing	Long nails or rough handling	Trim nails, handle with fingertips, discard the torn lens

If discomfort continues after a clean reinsert, stop wearing the lens and check with your eye care professional.

How to tell when a lens is done

Beyond the replacement date, retire a lens early if you see any of these: a cloudy or hazy tint that does not clear after cleaning, a torn or nicked edge, protein deposits that feel rough, or discomfort that returns every time you wear it. A lens is cheap to replace; a corneal infection is not. When in doubt, throw it out.

Build the habit

The hardest part of lens care is consistency, not technique. Keep solution and a spare case where you get ready, set a recurring reminder for your replacement date, and never go to bed telling yourself you will clean them in the morning. A 30-second routine done every time is what keeps colored contacts comfortable and safe for their full life.

Disinfection and soak time

Cleaning and disinfecting are not the same step. After you rub and rinse, the lens still needs to soak long enough to disinfect – most multipurpose solutions require at least 4–6 hours in fresh solution before the lens is safe to wear again. Do not shortcut this by reinserting straight after rinsing. Common multipurpose solutions (for example Opti-Free, ReNu, or Biotrue) list their minimum disinfection time on the bottle – follow it.

Checking the lens before you insert it

Before each insertion, make sure the lens is not inside-out: it should form a smooth bowl shape, with edges that point straight up rather than flaring outward. An inside-out lens feels uncomfortable and can move around. If a lens feels gritty or off after insertion, remove it, rinse with fresh solution, and inspect it for debris or a tiny tear rather than pushing through.

What poor care and overwear can cause

The care rules exist because the consequences are real and specific:

• Acanthamoeba keratitis – a severe, treatment-resistant corneal infection linked to water exposure (tap water, showering, swimming).
• Corneal hypoxia – too little oxygen to the cornea, made far worse by sleeping in lenses not approved for it; overnight wear can raise infection risk many times over.
• Giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) – an allergic reaction to protein and lipid deposits that build up on lenses worn past their replacement date.

Almost all of these are preventable with fresh solution, no water contact, on-time replacement, and never sleeping in non-approved lenses.

FAQ

Can I clean colored contacts with water?

No. Water can carry microbes that cause serious infections. Use contact lens solution only.

How often should I replace my lens case?

Every 1–3 months, or sooner if it looks worn or dirty.

Can I reuse yesterday's solution?

No. Always use fresh solution. Topping off old solution lets bacteria survive.

Do I really need to rub the lens if the solution says "no-rub"?

Rubbing and rinsing removes more deposits and is recommended even with no-rub solutions.

How long do reusable colored contacts last?

Typically 6 or 12 months from first wear, depending on the product. Discard them on schedule regardless of appearance.

Can I store lenses without solution overnight?

No. Lenses must stay submerged in fresh solution or they dry out and become unsafe to wear.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical advice. Colored contact lenses are medical devices. Always follow the fit, wear, and replacement guidance of a licensed eye care professional.