How To Fix Scratched Glasses and What To Avoid

It seems obvious, but we rely on our eyeglasses to help us see clearly every day. And when things like smudges, dirt, and scratches spread across your lenses, it gets in the way of that clarity.

If your glasses just need a little cleaning up to get rid of pesky smudges or dirt, you can easily do so with the proper cleaning tools (like mild soap and water, eyeglass cleaner, and a microfiber cloth). The same process also applies to sunglass lenses.

But scratches are difficult to remove from lenses, and sometimes they simply can’t be removed. When in doubt, you may research how to fix glasses scratches using home remedies. And although there are many popular ways to repair scratched sunglasses and eyeglasses, several techniques can actually make the problem worse.

The following are six things you may come across in your search for how to fix scratched glasses — and why many of them can do more harm than good.

How To Fix Minor Scratches at Home

1. Using a Baking Soda Paste To Remove Scratches

A glasses or sunglasses scratch repair may be achieved by using the baking soda method, according to dozens of glasses wearers.

Clean your glasses with a microfiber cloth before you begin.

When you’re ready, combine one to two teaspoons of baking soda with water into a thick paste and gently rub it onto your lenses in a circular motion. Then rinse with a gentle, mild soap. Dry them again with a microfiber cloth. It’s important not to be rough as you apply the paste, so don’t apply additional pressure if you notice any lingering scratches.

Pros

• Baking soda is easy to find and is inexpensive.
• The method is gentler than others you may find on the internet.
• It’s quick and easy to do.

Cons

• Scratches are not guaranteed to come out.
• It can be tempting to apply more pressure if scratches remain, but this can cause additional damage.
• Baking soda can remove scratches on the surface, but not those that are embedded deeply in the lenses.

2. Trying a Wax-based Filler To Temporarily Fill the Scratch

A wax-based filler may promise to fill in deep scratches on your eyeglass lenses, as it can with other surfaces, but it’s often too intense for glasses.

Pros

• Deep scratches or scrapes may be able to be filled.
• There are several wax products on the market from which to choose.
• Wax is fairly easy to use.

Cons

• Wax materials are more opaque than eyeglass lenses, which can impair visual clarity and make scratches even more apparent.
• Car wax or furniture wax sometimes carries a heavy scent.
• Lens coatings can be damaged, and residue may be left behind by the wax.

3. Using Toothpaste To Remove Scratches

Rubbing toothpaste on your lenses is one of the most popular methods to fix scratched glasses, according to several internet sources. But the ingredients in toothpaste can be harsh on your lens materials, causing further harm and the risk of wearing down your lens coatings.

Pros

• Toothpaste is usually readily available at home.
• The product is inexpensive.
• A minty fragrance can be pleasing.

Cons

• Toothpaste is abrasive and can make scratches worse than they were before.
• Many toothpastes have gels and/or a whitening effect, which can alter your lenses in a negative way.
• Toothpaste can damage the coating on your lenses, leaving them vulnerable to damage, even if you do manage to remove any scratches.

4. Applying a Glass Etching Product To Scratched Lenses

Using a glass etching product to patch up scratches may seem like a good idea in theory, but the concentration of the product can quickly wipe away any coating on your lenses.

Pros

• Glass etching products may be able to remove scratches from the surface layer of your lenses (but often do not).
• You can use glass etching solutions for other household projects.
• Etching cream is often inexpensive.

Cons

• Special coatings such as blue light protection, anti-glare, and water resistance can be erased when you use a harsh glass etching product.
• Lenses themselves can also be damaged by the solution, and you’ll likely have to replace the lenses entirely.
• Etching is permanent, and damage can occur quickly after application. If you wait too long to rinse your lenses, you may experience permanent white splotches.

5. Using Vinegar on Your Lenses

You may have heard of using vinegar and newspaper to clean glass windows, and many people still swear by it. But this old-fashioned technique is too harsh to be used on eyeglasses (even when the vinegar is combined with water) and it can promote irreversible damage.

Pros

• Vinegar can be useful to clean glass and windows (but this advantage doesn’t apply to glasses).
• It’s not difficult to find vinegar, whether you keep it in your pantry or if you need to pick it up at the grocery store.
• The solution is easy to use in most cases.

Cons

• Vinegar is harsh and can strip away lens coatings.
• The product is acidic and can also cause irritation for the eyes. If it gets into your eyes, it can also cause burning.
• Many people are sensitive to the smell of vinegar. Putting your glasses back on after using it to clean or attempt to remove scratches can cause discomfort and an unpleasant scent very close to your nose.

6. Rinsing Your Lenses with Dish Soap

Dish soap is mild enough to clean your lenses and is frequently recommended for doing so. But if you’re trying to remove a scratch on your lenses, you’ll need something more powerful. (Unfortunately, solutions that are “more powerful” than mild soap can be damaging to your lenses.)

Pros

• Mild, non-lotion dish soap works well to clean glasses and improve clarity in smudged lenses.
• It’s likely that you already have dish soap in your home.
• Dish soap is easy to use.

Cons

• Scratches don’t usually come out with soap and water alone.
• Some dish soap contains lotion and other ingredients that are harmful to delicate lens coatings.
• Soapy residue may linger if you don’t rinse your glasses thoroughly.

Avoid products such as lotion soaps and cleansers that contain microbeads. These types of products are not designed for cleaning glasses and are not gentle enough to use on your frames without risking further harm.

Some other products we advise against using to fix scratched glasses and sunglasses include:

• Sunscreen
• Car wax or furniture wax
• Brass polish
• Household cleaning products
• Acetone/nail polish remover
• Emery boards
• Hand sanitizer
• Saliva
• Sandpaper
• Polishing tools
• Anything else that seems harsh or is not approved for use on eyeglasses

Tips To Prevent Scratched Glasses

Repairing scratches on sunglasses, eyeglasses, readers, and other frames can be risky if you use products that are not designed for fragile lenses. Proper care is the best way to prevent scratches and avoid frustrating repair jobs.

Some tips to consider:

• Store your frames in a hard, sturdy case for the best protection.
• Clean your lenses with a microfiber cloth to remove smudges or dirt. Regular towels and clothing can be too abrasive for your lenses, even for quick cleanings.
• Use lens-safe solutions to clean your lenses. A mild soap and lens cleaner designed for glasses are best.
• Be gentle with your glasses. Don’t toss them around or leave them in places where they could be damaged.
• Wear contact lenses or sports glasses during exercise and intense activity. Regular lenses can easily fall off and become damaged during vigorous exercise.
• Opt for scratch-resistant lens coatings when choosing your next pair of glasses.

You May Need To Replace Your Lenses

The most foolproof way to fix scratched glasses is to replace the lenses. Minor scratches can sometimes be repaired, but if the scratches are abundant or deeply ingrained, you’ll likely need new lenses. And most eye care professionals will recommend new lenses, as they often can’t be repaired by an optometrist.

Speak with your eye doctor about the process and cost of replacement lenses. In some cases, it may not be possible to swap out your lenses in your current frames. If this applies to you, ask your optometrist what your options are and next steps should be. Be sure to ask any other questions you may have about glasses care, storage, and cleaning.

The thought of having to replace prescription eyewear can be overwhelming. But if you do end up needing a new pair of glasses, we’ve got a great selection of frames from which to choose.