While glasses are essential for clear vision for many people, they’re also an opportunity to invest in a fashion statement. But nothing’s more annoying than getting a scratch in one of your glasses’ lenses.
If you’re stuck with a pesky scratch, keep on reading for our guide on how to remove scratches from glasses, the DIY methods you shouldn’t try, and how to prevent scratches from happening in the first place.
Step by Step: How To Get Scratches Out of Glasses
If you notice a scratch on your glasses, there’s a couple of things you can do to get rid of it or at least mitigate its annoyance if you can’t get a new lens.
Step #1: Clean Your Glasses
Spray a lens cleaner onto your glasses. Use a microfiber towel to wipe off the cleaner as well as any debris or dust.
Step #2: Mix The Solution
There are quite a few “solutions” on the Internet that claim to be able to remove scratches from glasses, but many of them don’t actually work or can just make the scratch worse (see our next section for things to avoid). If you have a scratch, we recommend only trying a mix of baking soda and water. You’ll want to mix water with 1-2 teaspoons of baking soda to form a paste.
Step #3: Apply The Solution
Take the microfiber towel or a cotton ball and dip it into the paste. Gently rub it on the scratch on your lens without applying too much pressure.
Step #4: Rinse Off Your Glasses
Rinse off your glasses under water to remove any excess residue from the solution.
Step #5: Clean Your Glasses Again
Use the lens cleaner and microfiber towel again to clean the glasses. While not a foolproof solution, this method can often extend the life of your glasses for a while longer without any annoying scratches.
If your glasses are still causing any of the below, consider replacing your lens or glass altogether:
- Visual Disturbances
- Vision Obstruction
- Headaches
What Not To Do
As we mentioned before, there’s a lot of “recommended” ways on how to get scratches out of glasses, but many can end up making things worse. Here are some common suggestions that you should avoid:
- Toothpaste and baking powder
- Sunscreen
- Furniture or car wax
- Sandpaper
- Brass, silver, or metal polish
- Vehicle cleaner wax
Many of these household items can deepen scratches and remove other protective layers on your lenses, so it’s best to avoid them altogether.
How To Prevent Scratches On Glasses
The truly best way to get rid of scratches is to prevent them from happening in the first place. Here are some of our tried and true tips:
- Invest in a pair of glasses that has scratch-resistant lenses.
- Use a hard storage case when you aren’t wearing your glasses or are traveling with them.
- Get a microfiber cloth and lens cleaning spray to keep your glasses clean.
- Keep your glasses out of high-temperature areas such as a car because high heat can cause coatings on your glasses to erode, including scratch-resistant coatings.
Scratch-Resistant Eyewear From Shinola
We know making well-crafted eyewear is a worthwhile but serious and painstaking pursuit. If you’re looking for eyewear that is both uniquely you and extremely durable for daily life, Shinola’s newly released eyewear collection is for you. Every pair of Shinola eyewear features prescription-ready, durable, scratch-resistant CR39 lenses. Our eyewear also comes with a hardcover, collapsible carrying case that folds flat for disappearing into a pocket or purse with ease, and a stripe lens cloth to keep your eyewear smudge-free. All of which detail Shinola’s signature style. Shop Shinola eyewear today and discover what it’s like to wear your glasses with ease.