Scratches on glasses are extremely annoying – they obstruct your vision and make your glasses look dull. But first, an important word of caution from the expert: Real, deep scratches in the material can’t be magically removed, as lenses today are mostly made of plastic and often have sensitive coatings (such as anti-reflective or UV protection).
If you use home remedies, you’re essentially polishing the microscopic edges of the scratch flat or removing part of the protective coating so that the light isn’t refracted as much. However, for light surface scratches and dull lenses, this method often works wonders and brings back the shine!
Here’s a simple guide for a “glasses reset”:
Preparation: Clean thoroughly
Before you polish anything, your glasses must be absolutely free of dust and sand, otherwise you’ll just create new scratches.
Rinse the glasses under lukewarm running water.
Put a small drop of mild dish soap (without balm/skin-protecting oils!) on the lenses and gently rub them with your fingers.
Rinse and dry them with a clean microfiber cloth (never use paper towels or a T-shirt sleeve – these act like sandpaper!).
The Polishing Method: Baking Soda (Baking Powder)
The safest and most effective home remedy for plastic and glass lenses is simple baking soda. It has a very gentle abrasive effect that removes dull layers without completely ruining the lenses.
- Mix the paste: A few seconds.
In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with a few drops of water until a thick, homogeneous paste forms. It shouldn’t be too runny, but it also shouldn’t contain any hard lumps.
- Polish gently: 1 to 2 minutes.
Apply a pea-sized amount of the paste to the affected lens. Take a clean microfiber cloth and rub the paste over the scratched areas in gentle, circular motions without applying much pressure.
- Rinse and Check: 1 minute.
Thoroughly rinse the glasses with lukewarm water to remove all traces of baking soda (including from the edges). Dry them with the microfiber cloth and check the result in the light. If necessary, you can repeat the process.
The Finish: The New Shine
To make your glasses sparkle like new again, an old trick from the optician’s toolbox will do the trick: pure alcohol (isopropanol from the pharmacy or special lens cleaning sprays). Spray a little on the lenses and polish them to a high shine with a fresh, dry microfiber cloth. This removes any remaining grease and allows the lenses to reflect perfectly again.
⚠️ Important Warning: Toothpaste is often recommended online for scratches. Please don’t use them! Most modern toothpastes contain tiny abrasive particles that are far too harsh for plastic lenses. Using them will completely ruin the anti-reflective coating on your glasses, and this damage is irreversible.