How To Remove Scratches From Glasses: An Easy Guide

I remember the first time I scratched my favorite pair of glasses. I was rushing to get ready for work and I threw them inside my bag without a case. Then, when I pulled them out later that day, I noticed a nasty scratch right in the middle of the lens. You can imagine how annoyed I was. But I knew I had to find a solution fast. After some digging, I found that there are plenty of effective methods that can deal with the pesky scratch. From baking soda to car wax, the scratch didn’t stand a chance. After some baking soda buffing it was no more and I had my favorite glasses looking as good as new. Whether you are dealing with a minor scratch or a more stubborn one, here is how to remove scratches from glasses in no time.

Your glasses will be like new in no time

How To Remove Scratches From Glasses: Effective DIY Methods

Baking soda paste

The great thing about this solution is that you can easily find baking soda hiding in your cupboard. This common household product is a great way to remove minor scratches from your glasses. It’s cost-effective, simple, and only takes a couple of minutes.

Materials:

• Baking soda
• Water
• Microfiber cloth

Method: 

1. Mix one spoonful of baking soda with half a spoonful of water in a small bowl. Then stir until it forms into a thick, consistent paste. The paste should be thick enough to stick to the lenses without dripping.
2. Before you apply the paste, make sure the glasses are clean. You can use a microfiber cloth to make sure there isn’t any dirt, dust, or oils from the lenses. This is important as it will prevent any scratching.
3. Apply a small amount of the paste to the scratched area. You can use a cotton ball or your fingertip. Cover the whole area.
4. Rub the paste into the scratch in a circular motion to buff it out. Use only light pressure and continue buffing for twenty to thirty seconds. The gentle abrasiveness of the baking soda will help to smooth out the surface of the lens. Thus reducing the appearance of the scratch.
5. Finally, rinse the glasses under some cold water and dry with a clean microfiber cloth. You can repeat the process if the scratch is still visible.

Non-abrasive toothpaste

If you have a minor scratch, then some non-abrasive toothpaste is a great solution for it. Toothpaste has mild polishing agents that can gently buff out any scratches from the surface.

Materials: 

• Non-abrasive, non-gel toothpaste
• Cotton ball
• Microfiber cloth
• Water

Method:

1. It’s very important to use non-abrasive, non-gel toothpaste. You want to avoid toothpastes with whitening agents, microbeads, or other abrasive ingredients. All of these can scratch the lens further. So, make sure you get plain white toothpaste.
2. Clean the lenses before starting to apply the toothpaste. Then, apply a small amount of the toothpaste onto a cotton ball or a soft cloth. You only need a pea-sized amount.
3. Now gently rub the toothpaste onto the scratch in a circular motion. Use light pressure and buff it for around thirty seconds to a minute.
4. Finally, rinse the glasses under cold water and remove any traces of toothpaste. Pat the lenses dry with a clean microfiber cloth and repeat if needed.

Metal polish

Metal polish is an effective way to get rid of minor scratches in your lenses, especially those made from plastic. But keep in mind that this method needs careful handling as there are chemicals involved. Metal polish has fine abrasive particles that can smooth out the surface of the lenses. But you need to use it sparingly.

Materials:

• Metal polish (like Brasso)
• Clean microfiber cloth
• Soft cloth
• Gloves
• Water
• Alcohol (for cleaning)

Method:

1. First, you need to move to a well-ventilated area of your home and put on gloves. Then lay down some newspapers or a cloth onto your workspace to protect it from any spills.
2. Clean the lenses with a microfiber cloth. Then apply a tiny amount of metal polish on a soft cloth. The size of a pea is enough, as here a little can go a long way.
3. Buff out the scratch by gently rubbing the spot in a circular motion. Buff for around thirty seconds up to a minute.
4. Wash off any metal polish with cold running water. To ensure nothing remains and that the lenses are clean, you can use some alcohol and a cloth to clean them further. If needed repeat again, but don’t go overboard as to not damage the lenses.

Car wax

Car wax comes in handy when you need to polish your car. However, it’s also super useful for dealing with minor scratches in your glasses and restoring their shine. The wax smooths out the lens surface and gives it a temporary fix that also enhances the clarity of your glasses.

Materials:

• Car wax
• Microfiber cloth
• Soft cloth
• Water

Method:

1. Cover your workplace with a cloth or newspaper to prevent wax spills. Then clean your glasses with a microfiber cloth to remove dust, debris, and grease.
2. Use a few drops of liquid wax or scoop a little amount of paste wax with the cloth. Rub the wax onto the scratched lenses in a circular motion. Use with mild pressure. Keep buffing for thirty seconds up to a minute.
3. Wait a few minutes after polishing for the wax to set. Buff any excess wax with a clean cloth. The wax should be evenly dispersed and leave no residue after this stage.
4. Rinse the lenses under cold water and use a cloth to dry them. If you notice the scratch is still there, then you can repeat the process.

There are many ways to get rid of scratches on your glasses

Professional Solutions To Scratches

Sometimes bigger scratches will need a professional to get them out. If you’ve tried out all the home remedies, and they all fall short, it’s time to consider some professional and long-term solutions. While minor scratches are pretty easy to deal with, deeper or persistent scratches will usually requite some expert intervention. Here are some professional services that can help restore your lenses to their former scratchless glory.

Optician services

When at-home solutions don’t work, seeing an optician can make all the difference. Opticians have access to special tools and items that can fix scratches better than most DIY methods. Though they usually cannot fix severely damaged lenses, opticians can provide insightful guidance and carry out extensive cleanings that may help to hide those little imperfections. They can also make sure your frames fit correctly, which can prevent scratches in the future.

Lens replacement

The most permanent fix for severe or deep scratches on your glasses is to replace the lenses. You can keep your beloved pair of glasses without having to deal with the optical distortions brought on by the scratches. If you change your lenses, you’ll be able to see clearly again, and your glasses will last much longer. It’s a simple process that opticians can do quickly. If there are many deep scratches on your lenses that cannot be fixed with DIY methods, this is a great solution.

Scratch-resistant coatings

Getting scratch-resistant coatings for your glasses is a good way to keep them from getting damaged in the future. These coatings are placed during the lens manufacturing process to give an extra layer of protection against normal wear and tear. Lenses with scratch-resistant coatings are more durable and less likely to scratch from routine use, such cleaning or unintentional drops.

Sometimes you need to go to the professionals

How To Prevent Scratches On Glasses

Preventing scratches on your glasses is critical for preserving good vision and increasing the life of your lenses. Scratches are way less likely to occur by taking good care of them. So, here is some practical advice from Specsavers to assist you in avoiding scratches on your glasses:

• Use a hard, protective case;
• Clean regularly with a microfiber cloth;
• Avoid harsh materials to clean your lenses;
• Rinse before wiping your glasses;
• Handle with care;
• Invest in scratch-resistant coating;
• Avoid extreme temperature and environment changes.

It’s important to take care of your glasses

When my glasses were at last scratch-free, I was super happy. Though at first it was quite frustrating, after figuring out how to remove scratches from glasses, it was a breeze. Trying out non-abrasive toothpaste and experimenting with baking soda paste, I found that home cures could be very effective. But expert remedies like lens replacement and scratch-resistant coatings proved to be priceless for those deeper, more tenacious scratches I hope you found this article useful. Now you know that you can eaisly get your glasses back to their former glory with some simple methods.

Now you know how to get rid of scratches on your glasses

FAQs

How to deal with deep scratches?

Taking care of deep scratches on glasses calls for thorough evaluation. Baking soda paste or toothpaste might help with small scratches, but they don’t work for bigger problems. For serious scratches, professional repair is advised. Lens replacement or polishing are some of the best  solutions opticians can provide. Replacing the lenses is typically the best course of action for restoring clear vision in cases of severe damage.

Is wearing scratched glasses bad for your eyes?

Wearing glasses that are scratched can affect your vision, making it hard to see clearly. This can be a problem, especially when you’re driving. As your eyes strain to focus, this might cause headaches, fatigue, and eye strain. Scratches don’t harm the eyes permanently, but they do seriously impair comfort and clarity, which interferes with day-to-day activities.

How to get scratches out of plastic lenses?

For minor scratches on plastic lenses, there are plenty of home remedies. You can apply a baking soda paste to treat the scratch. Not-abrasive toothpaste can be used in the same way. While glass etching cream smoothes out scratches on plastic lenses by gently dissolving a thin coating, automobile wax or metal polish can fill in scratches and increases clarity.

Do scratches ruin glasses?

When glasses are scratched, they lose their ability to be used and their appearance. Scratches scatter light, which distorts vision, particularly at night or in strong sunlight. Lenses with scratches appear worn and could require replacements often.

Now you know how to remove scratches and keep your glasses clear