Scratches on glasses: don’t waste money: apply a little and they’ll disappear instantly.

Small scratches on eyeglasses can sometimes be reduced or made less visible, but be careful—many “instant fixes” online can actually damage lenses, especially if they have coatings (anti-glare, UV, blue-light). Here are the most commonly suggested methods and the truth about them:

1. Baking Soda Paste (for minor scratches)

• Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with a few drops of water to make a thick paste.

• Gently rub it on the scratch with a soft microfiber cloth for about 10 seconds.

• Rinse with water and dry.

⚠️ Works only for very light scratches and may damage coatings.

2. Non-gel Toothpaste

• Put a tiny amount of plain white toothpaste on a microfiber cloth.

• Rub very gently in small circular motions.

• Rinse and dry.

⚠️ Toothpaste is slightly abrasive and can remove lens coating, making lenses worse.

3. Car Wax or Furniture Polish

• Apply a small drop, rub gently, then wipe clean.

• This doesn’t remove the scratch but fills it temporarily, making it less visible.

Important Things NOT to Use

Avoid these because they can permanently ruin lenses:

• Strong chemicals

• Glass etching creams

• Paper towels

• Rough cloths

Reality Check

If scratches are deep, they usually cannot be fully removed. The safest solutions are:

• Replace the lenses only (cheaper than new glasses).

• Ask an optical shop to polish them professionally.

✅ Tip: Always clean glasses with microfiber cloth + lens cleaner to prevent new scratches.

👓 If you want, I can also show you:

• 3 surprising things that scratch glasses without people noticing

• A 10-second trick opticians use to clean lenses perfectly.