How To Get Scratches Out of Glasses: 7 Myths and What Actually Works

If you’ve ever damaged the lenses of your prescription glasses, you’ll know how much it affects your ability to see clearly. It also doesn’t look great, especially if you’re going for a professional or stylish appearance.

At Pair Eyewear, we’re all about a good DIY hack, but there are only a few that actually work to fix scratched lenses. Best case scenario, you’ll have a quick fix while you get a new pair of glasses. The real solution comes in preventing scrapes in the first place, so you don’t have to try to fix scratched lenses on your own.

How To Get Scratches Out of Glasses: The Myths

Innovations in eyewear have made eyeglass lenses (even sunglasses lenses) much stronger and more resistant to scratches. Polycarbonate lenses, a type of plastic lens material, are durable and provide a higher level of anti-scratch protection than glass lens material. Still, glasses scratch sometimes, and usually when it is most inconvenient.

A quick search online will lead you down a rabbit hole of DIY “fix” methods for repairing a scratch. Most of them fail, and some could even damage the lens coatings you have, like anti-glare protection or blue light filters.

Scratch Remover Myth 1: Using Baking Soda

For this method, baking soda is mixed with water to form a thick paste, then rubbed in a circular motion over the scratched area of your eyeglass lenses. If you manage to keep going long enough to make an impact, you might be able to make small scratches less visible, but you’ll also wear down your lens coating.

It’s worth noting that your eyeglass material has to be pretty soft for this method to even remotely work for you. Think dollar store sunglasses you bought in a pinch or extremely cheap reading glasses.

Scratch Remover Myth 2: Using Toothpaste

This method uses toothpaste instead of baking soda, but the principle of how to get scratches out of glasses is the same. Note that whitening and gel toothpaste are especially damaging to lenses, so if you do decide to risk it, at least opt for normal, non-gel toothpaste. Again, your lens material will have to be very soft for this to work.

Scratch Remover Myth 3: Using Metal Polish

Immediately no. Metal polish is designed to polish hard metal surfaces — using this on your plastic eyewear could harm them.

Scratch Remover Myth 4: Using Glass Etching Cream

Glass etching cream contains corrosive hydrofluoric acid. This dissolves lens coatings, so if you only have minor scratches in the coating, it could theoretically work to remove those scratches. Unfortunately, if you leave the cream on for more than a few minutes, you’ll completely lose that coating you’ve probably paid extra for.

Scratch Remover Myth 5: Using Furniture Polish or Car Wax

The theory is that buffing your scratched lenses with car or furniture wax fills any deep scratches. This will technically work to fill the crack, but you won’t be able to see through it. In other words, you’ll have a scratch filled with opaque material that still interferes with your vision.

Scratch Remover Myth 6: Using Sunscreen

Sunscreen is not a good scratch remover for eyeglasses or sunglasses, and will likely make your lenses goopy. The ingredients could also wear down the UV protection on your lenses, leaving your eyes vulnerable to sun damage.

Scratch Remover Myth 7: Using Sandpaper

We aren’t even sure how this myth made it to the internet, but it did. Using sandpaper on your eyewear will only create more scratches and scrapes. Not to mention, it will completely destroy your lens coatings.

Again, we do not recommend any of these home remedies. In fact, even an optician can’t fix scratched lenses.

Here’s the real low-down on how to get scratches out of glasses.

How To Get Scratches Out of Glasses: The Truth

The reality is that the only solution for scratched lenses is to replace the lenses or get a new pair of glasses. New lenses will restore your vision without the distraction of scratches for you or anyone looking at you.

If you really love the frames you have, you can have them repaired… but you’ll still have to get a new lens. In most cases, it isn’t cost-effective to have eyeglasses repaired in lieu of simply buying a new pair.

Think of it as an opportunity to update your accessories — and possibly your prescription, too. If it’s been a while since your last eye test, it’s worth visiting your optometrist at the same time.

Vision changes over time, and you could be due for a new vision correction prescription, which can help you see more clearly. Once you have your script in hand, you can head over to Pair Eyewear to get the latest in frames, lenses, and fashion.

If you choose your new specs well, you could even give your style factor a huge boost. We offer a range of beautifully designed Base Frames for prescription and non-prescription glasses. Add a couple of Top Frames you love, and you can mix and match depending on your mood and outfit.

How To Reduce the Chances of Scratched Glasses Lenses

Once you’ve received your new glasses, it’s important to look after them. That way, you won’t have to pay another visit to your eye doctor anytime soon or figure out how to get scratches out of your glasses.

Invest in Scratch-Resistant Coating

If your specs take a tumble, scratch-resistant lenses are less likely to get badly damaged. Many glasses retailers charge extra for this protective coating, but at Pair, it comes standard with every pair of glasses and sunglasses.

Clean Your Eyeglasses Regularly

Learn how to clean your glasses correctly and do it often. If you leave them too long, the build-up of grime on the lenses may result in scratches when you do eventually clean them.

Note that trying to clean streaks or smudges by rubbing your lenses with your clothes can also cause scratches, even if your clothes are made of soft cloth. Rather, use a proper Glasses Cleaning Kit or a gentle, lotion-free dish soap and a microfiber or other specially-designed cloth.

Treat Your Eyeglasses With Care

Handle your glasses carefully when you put them on or take them off. If you put them down for a while, do it gently. Make sure they don’t bump into anything on the way down and leave them resting on the frames, not the lenses.

Store Your Specs Properly

When you’re not wearing them, don’t leave your glasses lying around or throw them into your purse. Store them safely by placing them straight into a glasses case. Hard cases work well, as do Pair Glasses Cases — which come with extra space to keep two Top Frames for a quick change during the day.

Extend the Life of Your Eyeglasses

Many modern glasses are easily scratched, which can affect both your vision and your appearance. There are many methods recommended for how to get scratches out of glasses, but DIY fixes like using toothpaste, baking soda, metal, or furniture polish can do more harm than good. They might well remove the scratches, but they may also further damage your lenses or remove anti-glare, UV, or blue-light coatings.

Once your glasses lenses are scratched, it’s best to either replace them or invest in a new pair of glasses with scratch-resistant coating. As a bonus, you can upgrade your style at the same time. A great way to do this is by picking Pair Eyewear for your eyeglasses needs. Our selection of styles and vast range of Top Frames offers something for everyone, and at great prices, too.

Once you have your new pair, clean them correctly, treat them gently, and store them safely so they can help you see well — and look great — for a long time.