Scratches on your glasses lenses can feel almost as irritating as having something caught in your eye. This is especially true if the scratch is right in your line of sight, obstructing your vision.
If you’ve noticed a scratch on your glasses, you’re probably wondering if it’s possible to fix it on your own. The answer is a bit complicated.
There are many supposed methods for removing scratches from glasses and sunglasses, but unfortunately, these at-home techniques are risky and typically don’t yield the desired results.
The best way to ensure your glasses remain scratch-free is to prevent scratches from occurring in the first place.
In this article, we’ll cover how to best prevent scratches, but first, let’s set the record straight about treating scratched glasses on your own.
Can You Fix Scratched Glasses at Home?
As the adage goes, if something seems too good to be true, it likely is. Such is the case with the internet cures for scratched glasses. While some of the methods might technically work, what the tutorials fail to mention is that you have to essentially ruin your glasses or sunglasses lenses to remove the scratches.
Here are some of the most common DIY hacks out there and why it’s best to avoid them:
Can You Fix Scratched Lenses with Baking Soda?
The most commonly circulated home remedy for scratched glasses involves something almost everyone has in their cupboard: baking soda.
This method suggests creating a thick paste by mixing 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda with water. After cleaning your glasses with a microfiber cloth, apply the goopy concoction to the lens with a cotton ball or soft cloth and buff out the scratches.
When finished, wipe the lenses with a clean microfiber cloth, and voila—the scratch is supposed to be gone.
Technically, this technique might work, but likely not how you expect it to. The baking soda’s abrasiveness wears down the lens to the point that it’s even with the scratch’s depth.
You might get rid of the scratch, but at the price of wearing down your lenses and removing beneficial coatings, such as anti-glare, mirror coating, UV protection, polarization, and blue light protection. Plus, it would undoubtedly take more than one (or even 20) applications to buff out a scratch.
Verdict? Avoid this hack.
Does Toothpaste Fix Scratches on Glasses?
Another common at-home hack for removing scratches involves using toothpaste in the same way as the baking soda technique above. Similarly, this method involves wearing down the lens coating enough to hide the scratch.
The scratch might technically become less visible or be “fixed,” but at the cost of ruining your lenses. This hack is also a no-go.
Can You Use Sandpaper to Remove Scratches from Glasses?
Some people claim that you can use sandpaper to grind the lens down to the depth of the scratch and then use wax to polish the lens back to a shine.
If the only thing you care about is removing the scratch, this approach is feasible, but as with the above methods, it will ruin the functionality of your lenses by removing the beneficial coatings. This is also the case with glass etching products. Pass on these too, folks.
The Best Option for Fixing Scratched Glasses
If you have a bad scratch (or many scratches) on your glasses or sunglasses, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to toss them out. Many people don’t know that glasses lenses can be replaced.
Replacement lenses are usually far less expensive than purchasing a new pair of glasses or sunglasses. Plus, it breathes new life into your favorite frames, allowing you to use them for years to come. You can inquire about lens replacements with an optician.
Tips for Preventing Scratched Glasses
While opting for replacement lenses is the clear winner for fixing scratched lenses, we’re advocates for preventing scratches from happening in the first place. How do you do that? Here are our top tips:
#1: Choose glasses with a scratch resistant coating
The best way to ward off unsightly, disruptive scratches is to opt for glasses and sunglasses with scratch-resistant coating.
At Privé Revaux, all of our reading glasses and sunglasses are treated front and back with a clear, scratch- and impact-resistant coating. This gives the lenses a much harder surface that is more resistant to scratching.
#2: Clean your glasses lenses daily
Glasses and sunglasses go pretty much everywhere with you. As such, they easily collect debris, dust, and dirt. If there’s enough buildup, the debris can scratch your glasses when you try to clean them off.
To reduce this risk, clean your lenses daily with a microfiber cloth. It’s important to only use a microfiber cloth, as other materials—even paper towels, tissue paper, and clothing—can cause small scratches.
Pro-tip: If you notice an abrasive material on your glasses, rinse them in plain water before wiping to avoid damaging the lenses.
If you notice something greasy (like suntan lotion or make up), wet the lenses with tap or bottled water and place a single drop of the plain blue liquid Dawn dish soap (not the antibacterial kind!) on each lens.
Gently rub the front and back of the lenses with your clean fingertips, then rinse again before drying with the microfiber cloth.
#3: Store your glasses in a hard case
How often do you store your glasses or sunglasses in your purse or car without a case? We’re probably all guilty of it, but this leaves your lenses vulnerable to scratches.
To protect your lenses, always store your glasses in a hard case. An easy way to remember to put them in a case it to keep in mind this saying: “If they’re not on your face, they’re in the case”.
#4: Be mindful of how you handle your glasses
While it might be tempting to haphazardly toss your glasses on your nightstand or into a bag, this is a surefire recipe for scratching. To increase the lifespan of your glasses’ lenses, be gentle and mindful while handling them.
#5: Swap your glasses for contacts during vigorous activity
Glasses can easily fall off during vigorous activity and get scratched. If you regularly play sports, run, or engage in other high-intensity activities, it’s worth having contact lenses on standby that you can wear in these instances.
Ready to Invest in Scratch-Resistant Glasses?
If you’re looking for a new pair of glasses or sunglasses, start out on the right foot by choosing a scratch-resistant pair from Privé Revaux.
We offer affordable reading glasses and sunglasses in an array of trendy styles. You can browse our collection by lens size, lens type, style, color, and even face shape. Start by taking our online quiz to help you find your perfect match!