How to Remove Scratches from Prescription Glasses

Written by David Felsted, DO | Edited by Madeleine Flamiano

Last Updated: May 23, 2022 References

Are your glasses scratched up? Don't sweat it! We'll show you how to use household items to remove those scratches so your glasses look brand new. Plus, we've got tips on how to prevent scratching your glasses in the future. Read on to learn everything you need to know about restoring your prescription glasses and keeping them in tip-top shape.

This article is based on an interview with our comprehensive ophthalmologist, David Felsted, DO. Check out the full interview here.

1

Wash your glasses with dish soap and water.

Clean your glasses before dealing with the scratches. Go to the kitchen sink, turn it on, and make sure the water is room temperature. Place your glasses underneath the running water. Squeeze a small drop of dish soap onto your index finger and your thumb. Use gentle pressure to rub your lenses. Rinse your glasses off. Then, dry your lenses with a microfiber cloth.^{[1]
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- Dish soap loosens up any buildup, like dust or sweat, that might coat your lenses.
- A microfiber cloth won’t get lint on your glasses or smudge them. When you use it to dry your glasses, it’ll be a lot easier to see the scratches on your lenses.

2

Coat your lenses with a mixture of baking soda and water.

Use this household remedy to polish scratches off your glasses. Combine 1-2 tbsp (15-30 g) of baking soda and 1 tbsp (15 mL) of water. Stir with a spoon until you create a thick paste that’s the consistency of glue.^{[2]
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Research source} Dip a clean microfiber cloth into the paste, then rub the scratches in your lenses in a circular motion. Buff your lenses for 10-30 seconds. Rinse off your lenses. Use a microfiber cloth to dry your lenses and wipe away any remaining paste.
- Baking soda has a low abrasiveness—or roughness—rating, so it can remove scratches without damaging your lenses.

3

Apply toothpaste to your lenses.

Rub out scratches with a non-abrasive, non-gel brand of toothpaste. Squeeze one dab of toothpaste onto each of your lenses. Use your finger to rub the toothpaste into any scratches on your lenses for about 10 seconds.^{[3]
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Research source} Rinse your lenses and wipe off the toothpaste with a clean microfiber cloth.
- Use white or clear toothpaste that won’t stain your lenses.
- Steer clear of any advanced formulas that whiten or remove plaque from teeth as these abrasive varieties can create even more scratches.

4

Polish your lenses with car wax.

Use car wax to fill in the scratches on your lenses. Dampen a clean microfiber cloth with car wax and rub your lenses in a circular motion.^{[4]
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Research source} Check and make sure the car wax fills all the scratches on your lenses. Use a fresh microfiber cloth to buff your glasses.
- If you still see scratches, repeat this process multiple times until your lenses are clear.
- Car wax usually comes in either spray bottles or tubs, but either variety will work.
- The wax fills in the scratches and wears off over time, but you can reapply it to maintain the quality of your lenses.

5

Rub metal polish into plastic frames or lenses.

Buff away scratches in your lenses with a non-abrasive metal polish. Dip a clean microfiber cloth in a non-abrasive metal polish and use it to rub your lenses in a circular motion. Continue to buff your lenses until the scratches fade away. To remove the metal polish from your lenses, sprinkle rubbing alcohol onto them and wipe them down with a cotton ball.^{[5]
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- When you use metal polish, you strip off the scratched-up coating on plastic lenses.
- Metal polish won’t work on glass lenses because they don’t have the same coating as plastic lenses.
- Avoid using metal polish on your prescription glasses so you can keep the UV coating on them.

6

Cover plastic lenses with etching cream.

Use etching cream to remove the scratched-up coating on plastic lenses. Scoop up etching cream from the bottle with a cotton ball. Apply etching cream evenly across your lenses. If you get any etching cream on the frames, use a cotton swab to wipe it off. Wait for 5 minutes, then rub off the etching cream with a clean cotton ball.^{[6]
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- Use etching cream only for your plastic lenses. If you put etching cream on glass lenses, you’ll cause them to “frost,” or permanently fog over and crack.

7

Rinse your lenses off.

Use water and dish soap to remove any excess solution that’s still on your lenses. Turn on your kitchen sink and make sure the water is room temperature. Squeeze a small drop of dish soap onto your lenses, then place them under the running water. Rinse them until you’ve removed any residue or soap suds.^{[7]
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- Water and soap remove any small particles still on your lenses.
- Room temperature water is best because it won’t fog up your glasses or warp your lenses.

8

Dry your lenses with a new microfiber cloth.

Use a clean cloth so you won’t get grit on your lenses. Fold the microfiber cloth over your glasses and dry both sides of either lens.^{[8]
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Expert Source

David Felsted, DO
Comprehensive Ophthalmologist
Expert Interview. 12 August 2021.} Pinch each lens and rub them with your microfiber until you’ve removed all the moisture.
- Try to use a new microfiber cloth every time you polish your glasses. A used microfiber may have dust or dirt on it and scratch your lenses again.

9

Wrap a microfiber cloth around your glasses.

A microfiber cloth gives your glasses added protection. Fold a fresh microfiber cloth around your glasses—cover them completely so that they’re fully cushioned.^{[9]
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Expert Source

David Felsted, DO
Comprehensive Ophthalmologist
Expert Interview. 12 August 2021.} This microfiber cloth acts as a barrier to keep dust and moisture off your glasses.
- You can also place your glasses in a microfiber, suede, leather, or plastic pouch.

10

Store your glasses in a padded case.

A padded case keeps dust buildup and other residue off your glasses. Once you’ve wrapped a microfiber cloth around your glasses or put them in a pouch, open up a padded case and place your glasses in it. Close the lid and store it anywhere that’s easy to access.^{[10]
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Expert Source

David Felsted, DO
Comprehensive Ophthalmologist
Expert Interview. 12 August 2021.}
- The padding inside a case will provide an extra layer of protection.
- When you store your glasses in a case, your lenses won’t rub up against hard objects or rough surfaces and you won’t crack your glasses if you drop them.
- While you’re wearing your glasses, you can wear an “eyewear retainer,” a band that keeps your glasses on your face so they don’t fall off and get scratched.^{[11]
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  Expert Source
  
  David Felsted, DO
  Comprehensive Ophthalmologist
  Expert Interview. 12 August 2021.}

11

Clean your glasses regularly with a lens spray.

Len spray keeps any small particles from scratching your glasses. Once you’ve restored your lenses until they look brand new, continue to take care of them and maintain their quality. Whenever you notice grit, dust, sweat, makeup, or any other residue on your glasses, polish them immediately with a lens spray.^{[12]
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Expert Source

David Felsted, DO
Comprehensive Ophthalmologist
Expert Interview. 12 August 2021.}Dry them off with a microfiber cloth, then put them back on and enjoy a clear view.
- You’ll extend the life of your glasses when you’re proactive and clean them as soon as possible.