Scratches on the lenses of your glasses can be frustrating, impairing your vision and making everyday tasks more difficult. Whether it’s from carelessly placing them on a hard surface, leaving them out of their case, or accidentally falling asleep with them on, these scratches can occur despite modern advancements in scratch-resistant lenses. Luckily, there’s an easy, cost-effective solution that uses a common household product to restore your lenses without the need for expensive treatments or new lenses.
Why Do Lenses Get Scratched?
Scratched lenses are one of the most annoying problems for glasses wearers. It affects your vision clarity and can even be hazardous in situations where clear sight is essential, such as driving or working. The causes of lens scratches are often simple mistakes like leaving your glasses out of their case, dropping them, or accidentally brushing them against hard surfaces. Falling asleep with glasses on or rough handling while playing with children or pets are other common reasons.
Another frequent culprit is cleaning your glasses with improper materials. For example, many people reach for toilet paper or tissues to clean their lenses, not realizing that the cellulose in these materials can actually increase scratching. Even though these scratches may seem small, over time they can add up and affect the overall quality of your lenses.
A Zero-Cost, Simple Solution
Rather than buying expensive lens treatments or even replacing your glasses, there’s a simple, zero-cost method that can help remove scratches. The secret? A common household product that most people already have on hand: toothpaste.
Toothpaste, especially the plain, non-gel variety without micro-granules or abrasive ingredients, can be used effectively to buff out scratches on your lenses. This method works well for minor scratches and can leave your lenses looking clean and clear once again.
How to Remove Scratches from Lenses with Toothpaste
Here’s a step-by-step guide to using toothpaste to remove scratches from your glasses:
Choose the Right Toothpaste: Opt for a plain, white toothpaste without any added micro-beads or aggressive chemicals. Gel-based or whitening toothpastes should be avoided as they can be too abrasive for delicate lenses.
Apply the Toothpaste: Squeeze a small amount of toothpaste onto both lenses. Using a cotton pad, cotton ball, or even your finger, gently massage the toothpaste across the entire surface of the lens. Make sure to cover all scratched areas thoroughly.
Let It Sit: Allow the toothpaste to sit on the lenses for about 10 minutes. This will give the paste enough time to start working on the surface scratches.
Rinse in Warm Water: After 10 minutes, immerse your glasses in a bowl of warm water. Continue to gently rub the lenses while rinsing to help remove the toothpaste. Make sure all of the toothpaste is thoroughly rinsed off to avoid leaving any residue.
Dry Your Glasses: Once your lenses are clean, dry them using a soft, lint-free cloth designed for glasses. If available, use a microfiber cloth to avoid introducing new scratches. You can also use a hairdryer on a low, cool setting to help dry them.
Inspect the Lenses: After drying, examine the lenses. You should notice that the scratches have significantly faded or disappeared altogether, and your lenses should look clearer.
An Alternative Method: Baking Soda
If you’re looking for another natural solution, baking soda is a great alternative to toothpaste for removing scratches from lenses. Baking soda’s mild abrasiveness helps to gently buff out scratches without damaging the lenses.
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Here’s how you can use baking soda to remove scratches:
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