If you’re someone who uses eyewear, a scratch on your glasses is like a dent on your television screen — they’re both extremely disruptive. While replacement lenses are by far the best bet when it comes to deep scratches and other damage to your spectacles or blue-light blocking glasses, you may not always want to shell out that kind of money at a prescription eyewear retailer if you’ve just got a few surface scrapes. Well, there is something you can do with just a couple of household items that can give you some relief from that little mark that’s sitting at the edge of your vision and slowly driving you insane.
How to Remove Scratches from Glasses
1. Clean
Start by cleaning your glasses with a lens cleaner and microfiber cloth to get rid of any dust and debris.
2. Mix Solution
Next, mix 1-2 teaspoons of baking soda with just enough water to form a thick paste.
3. Apply Solution
Spread the paste over the damaged areas of your lens using a microfiber cloth or cotton ball, rubbing gently in a circular motion with minimal pressure.
4. Rinse
Once you’ve spread the paste over all of the damaged areas, rinse your glasses well with water to get rid of any remaining residue.
5. Clean Again
Give them another quick clean with your lens cleaner and a microfiber cloth, and enjoy a bit of extended life for your glasses.
And there you have it. In five easy steps, your glasses have gone from looking like a pair of Mad Max goggles to something you can actually see through. Now go forth and see!
What Not to Do
- You’ll often see a recommendation to spread toothpaste over your lenses and gently rub it in to get rid of scratches. While this can work, it’s important to note that you have to use non-gel, non-abrasive, non-whitening toothpaste or you risk making the damage worse. We recommend steering clear of toothpaste altogether, as our method is just as effective and not nearly as risky.
- Another common suggestion is to use glass etching solutions to remove damaged coating (like anti-glare coating, for example) from lenses. Technically, this will work, but you’re taking a risk here, too. If the solution sits on your actual lenses for too long, it can really do a number on them. If you decide to use this method, just be aware that you could end up doing far worse damage than a minor scratch – plus, you’ll lose the benefit of any protective coating on your lenses.
Tips to prevent scratches
If you want to extend the life of your glasses you should follow these tips to prevent scratches. Over time scratches will make your glasses more difficult to use and they don’t come cheap.
- Try to keep your glasses on
- Carry your case with you when traveling
- Make sure your case has a hard protection surface
- Don’t drop your glasses lens down
Article originally published June 19, 2018.
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