How safe is it to use old lens cleaner solution?

[SuperDeluxe]

I have a couple bottles of cleaner solution that I've received as part of camera packages that I've bought. The cameras, said their previous owners, haven't been used in 20-30 years if not more. I therefore assume that the cleaner solutions are equally as old.

Would it be safe to clean lenses with old cleaner solution?

And if the answer to the above is yes, would it be safe to use this solution on newer lenses, considering that new lenses may have types of coatings that didn't exist when these solutions hit the market?

Once again, I feel I'm asking an ignorant question... but better be safe than sorry, no?

[mickeyobe]

Apr 15, 2013 12:34:28 GMT -5 SuperDeluxe said:

I have a couple bottles of cleaner solution that I've received as part of camera packages that I've bought. The cameras, said their previous owners, haven't been used in 20-30 years if not more. I therefore assume that the cleaner solutions are equally as old.

Would it be safe to clean lenses with old cleaner solution?

And if the answer to the above is yes, would it be safe to use this solution on newer lenses, considering that new lenses may have types of coatings that didn't exist when these solutions hit the market?

Once again, I feel I'm asking an ignorant question... but better be safe than sorry, no?

I have never seen an ignorant question on this site.

I am a confirmed anti lens cleaner advocate.

I have lenses that are over 50 years old that are still pristine. Nothing has ever been used to clean them other than a soft sable paintbrush to remove possible grit, my own breath also to remove grit and for moisture - the most moisture that I would ever care to put on a lens and a well worn cotton T shirt or diaper. Lately I have used microfiber cloths. For good measure some common sense and plenty of TLC will make the job easy, fast and harmless.

Mickey

[Stephen]

As whatever is in the water has deteriorated or evaporated I would not use it, cannot cause any harm but will not work as well as pure water, preferably distilled and carbon filtered. A drop of pure detergent (BPC)grade is all that should be added. Coatings are pretty tough to all but grit.
Stephen.

[Berndt]

I don't know, if it is good or bad, but I use simply alcohol and a soft tissue.

[Deleted]

MicroFiber cloth. One of the great inventions of the 20th century.

[genazzano]

My 2 cents: Discard both old and new lens liquid cleaners and use freshly prepared solutions using dilute mild detergents that do not contain ammonia or alkaline pH's and a bit of ethanol. As mentioned above, the old cleaners can chemically change with time. I normally limit cleaning to use of soft absolutely clean brushes (the cosmetic counter at the store is a great source of very soft and effective lens brushes). You can check the pH of a cleaning solution using pH paper strips normally sold for swimming pools. The pH range best for lenses is about neutral, i.e. 6.8 - 7.1. I think excellent lens cleaning solutions are sold by Hoya and often at optometrist stores.

Also, remember that purified water and alcohols will evaporate but cleaners leave residue. So never use cleaners in a way that will permit the solution to be drawn into the lens retainers by capillary action and on into the interior of your lens.... OK, I'll shut up now. Ciao! David

[SuperDeluxe]

Apr 15, 2013 16:50:20 GMT -5 Stephen said:

As whatever is in the water has deteriorated or evaporated I would not use it

And that was really my main concern. Thanks Stephen and everybody for your feedback!