Safety practices for overnight contact lens care

If your eye doctor prescribes you reusable contact lenses, they’ll give you a cleaning and disinfection routine meant to help keep your contact lenses safe and comfortable. Learn what that routine may include and why each step is important.

Medically reviewed on September 15, 2025

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Published on January 12, 2026

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4 minute read time

Why clean your contacts?

Day and night, your eyes produce oils and mucins as part of your tears. Together, they help keep your eyes lubricated, and along with blinking, help flush allergens, dust, dirt, bacteria, and debris out of your eyes. When you wear contact lenses, all of these things can stick to your lenses and build up. Cleaning them every time you remove them helps ensure you start each day with lenses free of all these potentially harmful things.

Getting ready to care for your contacts

There are a few things you can do before taking off your contact lenses that help set you up for success.

Always wash your hands thoroughly with a mild soap, rinse completely, and dry with a lint-free towel before touching your lenses.
Make sure you have the supplies you’ll need handy, including:
- Fresh cleaning and disinfecting solutions or multipurpose solution (whichever your eye doctor recommended)
- Clean lens case

Learn about cleaning solutions

Seven tips for cleaning your lenses

Always clean and disinfect the same lens first to avoid any confusion or mix-ups
Follow the instructions provided in your cleaning and disinfecting solution's product labeling (sometimes called a Patient Instruction Guide or Instructions for Use) or as recommended by your eye doctor.
Never heat your cleaning and disinfecting solution or lenses
Never put your contact lenses in water, saline solution or rewetting drops overnight to disinfect your lenses, because none of these will disinfect them. Water is not sterile and may actually harbor microorganisms that can cause serious eye infections.
Rub and rinse your lenses for the amount of time recommended on your cleaning and disinfecting solution’s labeling.
Put your contact lens in the correct chamber of your lens storage case (L for left eye, R for right eye) to prevent mix-ups.
Thoroughly rinse your lenses with a fresh rinsing solution before putting on your contacts, or follow the instructions on the disinfection solution labeling.

Why rubbing your lenses is important

Gently rubbing your contact lenses with your fingertips while cleaning them before storing them can be very important for keeping them clean. Over time, dirt, oils, proteins, allergens, and more can build up on the lenses. If they aren’t removed, this buildup can become a place for bacteria and fungi to grow, which may lead to eye infections.

When you gently rub your lenses:

You loosen or help remove stubborn dirt and deposits, helping disinfectants do a better job
You lower the number of germs on the lenses, reducing the chance of infection
Your lenses likely stay clearer, more comfortable, and less likely to cause irritation or redness

Six tips for storing your contact lenses overnight

To store your lenses, first disinfect them, and then leave them in the closed case until you are ready to wear them again.
ALWAYS keep your lenses completely covered by your recommended cleaning and disinfecting solution when they're not being worn. If a lens does become dried out, throw it away and replace with a new one.
If you won't be wearing your lenses immediately after disinfecting them, you should ask your eye doctor for information about storing your lenses for long periods.
Empty your contact lens case and then clean it by rubbing with your fingertips using fresh, sterile cleaning and disinfecting solutions. Never use water. Cleaning should be followed by rinsing with fresh, sterile cleaning and disinfecting solutions (again, never use water) and wiping the lens cases with fresh, clean lint-free tissue. Never save or reuse your contact lens solution.
Replace your lens case according to the directions given you by your eye doctor or the labeling that came with your case. Usually, this means your case is replaced every three months.
Do not store your lenses or rinse your lens case with water or any non-sterile solution. Only use fresh cleaning and disinfecting solution so you do not contaminate your lenses or lens case. Use of non-sterile solution or water can lead to severe infection, vision loss, or blindness.

What's next?

Questions? Contact your eye doctor.

If you find yourself unsure about any of the contact lens disinfection steps, get in touch with your eye doctor. They’ll help resolve any issues and provide guidance.

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FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Can I sleep with my contact lenses in?

Only lenses prescribed for overnight wear by your eye doctor should be worn overnight, otherwise you run the risk of serious eye infection.

What are the risks of leaving my contact lenses in overnight?

Sleeping in contact lenses not approved for overnight wear increases the chance of eye infection by 6-8x.

Is water safe for rinsing lenses overnight?

No, never use water to rinse your lenses or store them overnight. Water can contain microbes harmful to your eyes. Always use the disinfecting solutions recommended by your eye doctor.

How often should I replace my lens case?

Every three months or sooner if damaged or discolored.

What should I do if my lenses become cloudy overnight?

Cloudy lenses can be a sign of bacterial growth. If they appear to be cloudy or dirty, replace them.

Can household cleaning products be used on lenses?

No. Only products specifically formulated for contact lenses should be used.