How to Store and Travel With Coloured Contact Lenses

Quick answer

Store coloured contact lenses in a clean, sealed case filled with fresh multi-purpose solution, away from heat and direct sunlight. For travel, pack a small contact lens travel kit with a spare case, a travel-size bottle of solution, and your glasses. Always wash and dry your hands before handling lenses, and never use tap water or saliva as a substitute for solution.

Why coloured lenses need their own storage routine

Coloured contact lenses are made from the same soft hydrogel materials as clear lenses, but the colour layer sits inside or on the surface of the lens. That colour layer can be more delicate than the rest of the lens, so rough handling, dried-out cases, or contaminated solution can shorten the life of the lens or cause irritation. A consistent storage routine protects both the lens and your eyes.

The biggest difference between storing clear lenses and coloured lenses is that you often switch between pairs for different looks. If you keep multiple pairs in the same case or leave them sitting in old solution, you increase the risk of mix-ups, protein build-up, and microbial growth. Treat every pair as its own set: one case per pair, fresh solution every time, and a clear label if you own more than one colour.

Choose the right case and solution for coloured lenses

A standard contact lens case with two separate wells is fine for one pair, but if you wear coloured lenses regularly, consider a case with a screw-top lid rather than a flip-top. Screw-top lids seal more securely, which matters when you travel or when you store lenses in a bathroom where humidity fluctuates. Some cases also have a textured or coloured right side so you can tell left from right without opening both wells.

For solution, use a fresh multi-purpose solution that is labelled for soft contact lenses. Do not top off old solution in the case; discard it and refill with new solution each time you store your lenses. If you use a hydrogen peroxide-based system, follow its instructions exactly, because that type of solution needs a special case with a neutralising disc and a minimum soak time. Never use saline alone for storage, because saline does not disinfect.

Set up a simple at-home storage routine

Pick one spot in your home for lens care that is cool, dry, and out of direct sunlight. A bedroom drawer or a shelf away from the shower works better than the bathroom counter, where steam and aerosol products can contaminate the case. Keep your solution bottle closed when not in use, and check the expiry date every few weeks.

When you take your lenses out, clean them with solution even if you plan to wear them again the next day. Rub the lens gently in your palm with solution for a few seconds, rinse it, then place it in the case and fill the well with fresh solution. Close the lid tightly. If you wear your lenses less often, change the solution in the case every time you open it, and replace the case itself every one to three months.

Build a contact lens travel kit

A good travel kit fits in a carry-on or handbag and contains: a spare contact lens case, a travel-size bottle of multi-purpose solution (100 ml or less for flights), a small mirror, and your glasses. If you wear makeup, add a travel-size pack of lens-safe wipes or a small bottle of preservative-free saline for rinsing. Keep the kit in a resealable plastic bag so leaks do not damage your clothes or electronics.

For air travel, remember that liquid rules apply to contact lens solution. A 100 ml bottle is usually allowed in carry-on, but check your airline's current policy before you fly. If you are checking a bag, put your lens solution in a sealed plastic bag inside a hard case. Never pack your only pair of lenses in checked luggage; keep at least one pair and your case with you in case your bag is delayed.

Hotel and on-the-go storage tips

In a hotel, avoid storing your case on the bathroom counter where housekeeping sprays cleaners. Instead, keep it on a bedside table or inside a drawer. If you are camping or staying somewhere without running water, bring a small bottle of hand sanitiser and use it before handling lenses, but let your hands dry completely before touching the lenses or case. Water and lens solution do not mix well with sanitiser residue.

When you are out for the day and need to remove your lenses, use a clean case and fresh solution. Do not reuse solution from the case you left at home, and do not put lenses in your mouth or use tap water to rinse them. If you lose a lens or drop it, do not try to clean it with water; discard it and use your spare pair.

What to do when something goes wrong

If your lens feels dry or uncomfortable after storage, remove it, rinse it with fresh solution, and reinsert. If the discomfort continues, leave the lens out and wear your glasses. If you notice redness, pain, or blurred vision that does not go away, remove the lens and contact an eye care professional. Do not try to fix a damaged or torn lens; replace it.

If your case smells bad or looks cloudy, replace it immediately. A cloudy case can harbour bacteria even after rinsing. Keep a spare case in your travel kit so you are never tempted to use a questionable one.

Step-by-step: store and travel with coloured lenses

1. Wash and dry your hands: Use soap and water, then dry with a lint-free towel. Avoid lotions or oily soaps that can leave residue on the lens. Checkpoint: your hands should be completely dry before you touch the lens or case.
2. Clean the lens with fresh solution: Place the lens in your palm, apply a few drops of multi-purpose solution, and rub gently for a few seconds. Rinse with more solution. Common mistake: skipping the rub step. Rubbing helps remove protein and debris that rinsing alone may miss.
3. Place the lens in a clean case: Put the lens in the correct well, fill the well with fresh solution, and close the lid tightly. Repeat for the other lens. Checkpoint: never reuse old solution. Discard it and refill with new solution every time.
4. Store the case properly at home: Keep the case in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, bathroom steam, and aerosol sprays. Common mistake: storing lenses in the bathroom where humidity and chemicals can contaminate the case.
5. Pack a travel kit: Include a spare case, travel-size solution (100 ml or less for carry-on), a small mirror, and your glasses. Seal everything in a plastic bag. Checkpoint: keep at least one pair and your case in your carry-on, never in checked luggage.
6. Handle lenses on the go: Use hand sanitiser if water is not available, but let your hands dry completely before touching lenses. Use fresh solution from your travel bottle. Common mistake: rinsing lenses with tap water or saliva. Both can introduce bacteria.
7. Replace your case regularly: Swap your case every one to three months, or sooner if it looks cloudy or smells. Keep a spare in your travel kit. Checkpoint: a clean case is as important as clean solution.

Product facts to keep in mind

• Buckingham Blue Natural Coloured Contact Lenses: Buckingham Blue Natural Coloured Contact Lenses are part of The London Collection by the U.K.'s number 1 coloured contact lens brand, with super strong colour that still looks natural and is suitable for dark and light eyes. If you wear a bold shade like Buckingham Blue, a secure case and fresh solution help protect the colour layer so the lens keeps its intended look.



• Honey Natural Coloured Contact Lenses: Honey Natural Coloured Contact Lenses are designed to strongly change your eye colour and are part of The Naturals range. Because these lenses are meant to transform your look, storing them correctly prevents colour fade or contamination that could ruin the effect.
• Bella Natural - Grey: Bella Natural - Grey coloured contact lenses offer subtle colour enhancement and full UV protection, and are described as perfect for everyday wear. If you wear Bella Natural Grey daily, a simple at-home routine with a dedicated case and fresh solution keeps them comfortable for regular use.