What is the proper way to clean a cats eyes?

like the eye boogers. my cat came in this morning like he always does but his left eye was like glued shut with boogers. i think our kitten scratched his eye when they were playing probably. anyways he would not open it i took a q-tip and bottled water i warmed up. i just cleaned off the gunk gently although he barely let me. did i do this right or is there a better way? just wondering our kitten gets the occasional eye boogers so i want to know the right way. thanks!