There are many suggested home remedies for removing scratches from your eyeglass or sunglass lenses. Unfortunately there’s no quick fix for scratched glasses.
Many of these techniques for lens scratch removal can make your lenses shine a little brighter, but it’s also possible for them to turn a minor scratch into a deeper scratch. Below we discuss ways to prevent your lenses from getting scratched, and things to avoid when trying to remove scratches from your glasses.
Ways to Prevent Scratches on the Lenses of Your Glasses
Because it can be an undertaking to remove eyeglass lens scratches, it’s best to try and avoid getting your lenses scratched in the first place. Here are a few simple habits you can practice to keep your lenses clear and scratch-free:
- Use a Microfiber Cloth to Clean Your Lenses
- Clean Your Eyeglasses Regularly
- Store Your Glasses Properly
- Be Gentle with Your Eyeglasses
If you need to wipe off your glasses, make sure that you use a microfiber cleaning cloth. They're specially designed to be soft and gentle on your glasses, which can help prevent a scratched lens. If you have debris on your lenses, use running water to rinse the debris away instead of trying to wipe it off. Trying to wipe away smudges from your lenses when there’s debris on them can lead to accidental scrapes.
Keeping your glasses clean will help prevent scratches from appearing on the lenses. To give your eyeglasses a deep clean without scratching them, start by washing your hands.
Next, run your glasses under warm water, then apply some lotion-free dish soap to your lenses. Gently rub the lenses between your index finger and thumb. Rinse the glasses with more warm water, then dry them using a clean microfiber cloth.
If you frequently need to clean your glasses on the go, use pre-moistened lens wipes to clean any spots or smudges on your lenses. The materials used for these wipes are specially designed to clean your lenses without scratching them. Check out our complete guide on eyeglasses cleaning for more tips.
A sure-fire way to scratch your lenses is to stick them in your pocket or purse without a protective case. Even a couple of seconds of being jostled around in a bag is enough to leave you with a scratched pair of glasses.
To avoid scratching your glasses or sunglasses, you should always store them in a case or protective pouch. All Eyebuydirect glasses come with a protective microfiber pouch, and you have the option to add an extra case to your order for added scratch protection.
It’s easy to become a little too casual with something you wear everyday. But glasses are delicate and can be damaged if not cared for properly.
When you remove your glasses, avoid tossing them or putting them in a place where they could be stepped on or sat on. You should also steer clear of bending and twisting the frames, or chewing on the ends of the frame arms.
With this in mind, we understand that accidents do happen. That's why all Eyebuydirect eyeglasses and sunglasses come with scratch-resistant coating, free of charge. Learn more about our different lens coatings that protect your lenses and your vision.
What Not to Do When Your Lenses Are Scratched
Before you attempt to fix scratches on your lenses, be warned of things to avoid. There are many suggestions on the internet that can actually cause more damage to your lenses than what’s already there. Below are some common trends that can worsen the state of your lenses and should be kept in the “don’t try this at home” category.
- Don’t Use Toothpaste to Remove Lens Scratches
- Don’t Use Your Shirt to Clean Your Lenses
One of the reasons toothpaste works so well for cleaning your teeth is that it's abrasive. This means it scrapes away at whatever it's cleaning. Toothpaste can also contain certain ingredients to help whiten or brighten the surface it’s used on.
Using toothpaste on your eyeglass lenses may not only wear away your lens coatings, but it may also etch grooves into your lenses. Lens coatings can protect your eyes — especially the UV-protective coating on sunglasses and eyeglass lenses. By wearing these coatings off your lenses with toothpaste, you can unintentionally put your eyes at risk.
There’s no other way to say it: Stop using your shirt to wipe smudges from your glasses! Ironically enough, it's one of the leading causes of scratches to eyeglass lenses.
Using tissues, napkins, paper towels, or toilet paper to wipe your eyeglasses can also create scratches. This is because most paper products are made from wood pulp, so even if they feel soft on your face, wood-based tissues actually do more harm than good to your lenses.
The best thing to use when cleaning your eyeglass lenses is a soft cloth made of microfiber. Most prescription and non-prescription glasses and sunglasses come with a cleaning cloth in the protective case.
How to Remove Scratches from Glasses Lenses
1. Clean your glasses. Wash your glasses with warm water and an oil-free dish soap. Be sure to only use warm water, as hot water can damage the lens coating. Dry the glasses using a clean microfiber cloth.
2. Make the repair paste. Scoop one to two teaspoons of baking soda into a small bowl. Add just enough water to create a thick paste.
3. Apply the repair paste to your lenses. Using a cotton ball or a clean microfiber cloth, put the baking soda repair paste directly on the lens. Gently massage the paste into the lens using a consistent circular motion. Use very light pressure when rubbing the lens.
4. Rinse the lenses. Once the entirety of both lenses have been massaged with the paste, rinse them with clean water to remove residue.
5. Polish the lenses. Use a fresh microfiber cloth to dry the lenses thoroughly. For added shine, use a lens cleaner spray before wiping them dry.