Omar Khalid
Scratches on plastic lenses can be annoying and frustrating, affecting both vision and appearance. While there are various methods and products available to remove scratches, it is important to exercise caution as some methods may cause further damage to the lenses or their protective coatings. Home remedies such as toothpaste, baking soda, and metal or furniture polish are popular options but can be too abrasive and may not be suitable for all types of lenses. Commercial plastic polishes are available, but they are not designed for prescription lenses and may also scratch the plastic. Before attempting any scratch removal methods, it is recommended to consult an optometrist or eye doctor to avoid further damage and determine if lens replacement is necessary.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lens material | Plastic |
| Scratch remover | Toothpaste, baking soda, commercial plastic polish, brass or silver polish, wax, metal polish, glass etching cream |
| Tools | Microfiber cloth, cotton ball, soft rag |
| Warnings | Avoid using rough materials, sandpaper, or other polishing tools; avoid using toothpaste, baking soda, or other home remedies; consult an optometrist before attempting to remove scratches |
| Prevention | Store glasses in a hard protective case, avoid leaving them in direct sunlight, use a microfiber cloth to clean them, avoid using clothing or tissues, use gentle dish soap or doctor-approved lens spray |
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What You'll Learn
Clean lenses with a microfibre cloth and glasses cleaner
Microfiber cloths are your best bet for effective and damage-free cleaning and drying of your glasses. Make sure to use a proper eyeglass cloth to clean your eyeglass lenses. While microfiber cloths are reusable, they should be washed often. Dirt, dust, and fat from your lenses rub off on the cloth, and if it's too dirty, it won't clean your glasses properly. Wash your microfiber cloth to open the gaps between the fibers so it can catch dust and dirt from your glasses again. Microfiber cloths are positively charged, which is perfect for trapping the negatively charged dust and dirt.
Do not use fabric softener or dryer sheets when washing your microfiber cloths, as the residue they leave can cause smearing on your lenses. It's also important to avoid cleaning dry lenses with microfiber cloths. Instead, use a glasses cleaning kit with a cleaning spray and a microfiber cloth. Spritz and wipe your lenses and frames as needed. You can also use a lens-specific solution, or simply use warm water and dish soap. The American Ophthalmologist Association recommends cleaning with dish soap. However, do not use any cleaner that does not specifically state that it is safe for coated lenses, as it could damage your lenses or irritate your skin or eyes.
If you have nose pads on your glasses, it's a good idea to wipe them off often, as they accumulate more germs than other parts of the frame. You can use a disposable moist towelette with rubbing alcohol on the nose pads, but avoid using alcohol on the rest of the frame.
If you notice scratches on your lenses, do not try to rub or buff them out with a microfiber cloth, as you will likely only make them worse. You can try a home remedy such as applying a paste of baking soda and water to the scratched area with a microfiber cloth, but this will wear away the coating on your lenses. Other methods include using white toothpaste or a commercial plastic polish, but these will also remove the coatings from your lenses and may scratch the plastic. If you have deep scratches, take your glasses to an optician or optometrist to get them fixed or replaced.
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Apply a scratch remover product
It is important to note that the only way to truly remove scratches from a glasses lens is to replace the lens. Scratch removers will remove the coatings on glasses lenses, which theoretically removes the scratch by eating away at the coating. This will leave your lenses without any protection, and you are more likely to get major scratches in your lenses in the future. Removing scratches from prescription glasses is risky, and you are likely to make the scratches worse or damage your glasses in some other way.
If you are okay with removing the anti-reflective or anti-scratch coating from your glasses, there are a variety of scratch-removing products you can use. Firstly, clean the surface of your lenses with a cleaner made specifically for glasses and a clean microfiber cloth. This will allow you to see the extent of the actual scratches on your lenses.
A popular home remedy for removing scratches from glasses is to apply a paste made from baking soda and water. Mix together equal parts of baking soda and water to make a thick paste. Apply the paste to the scratched part of the lens and gently rub it over the scratches with a microfiber cloth, using small circular motions. Rinse the lenses with water and dry them with a clean microfiber cloth. Inspect the scratches. If they seem less apparent, you can repeat this process until you are satisfied.
Another home remedy is to use non-abrasive toothpaste. Apply a small amount of toothpaste to the lens and buff it into the lens with a microfiber cloth, using small circular motions. Then, rinse the toothpaste off your glasses.
If these methods do not work, you can try buffing the lenses with brass or silver polish and a soft rag. Rub the polish around the glasses and wipe off any excess with a clean, soft rag. Repeat this process until the scratch is gone.
If scratches remain, you can apply a scratch-filling product that will fill the scratches temporarily with wax. Simply rub the product onto the lenses using a clean microfiber cloth, rub it around in a circular motion, and then wipe it off with a clean area of the cloth.
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Use a paste made from baking soda and water
While it is possible to remove scratches from plastic lenses using a paste made from baking soda and water, it is not recommended by optometrists as it can damage the lens coatings. Baking soda is abrasive and can wear down the lens coating, making scratches less visible but potentially worsening your vision.
If you still wish to try this method, start by cleaning your glasses with a microfiber cloth. Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with half a teaspoon of warm water in a bowl to create a thick paste. The consistency should be similar to glue.
Dip a clean microfiber cloth into the paste and rub it gently onto the lenses in a circular motion. Buff the lenses for 10-30 seconds, then rinse them off with water. Finally, use a microfiber cloth to dry the lenses and wipe away any remaining paste.
If the scratches remain, you can repeat the process. However, if the scratches seem worse or more pronounced, do not repeat these steps. Instead, consider seeking professional advice or replacing the lenses.
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Try toothpaste to buff out scratches
If you have scratches on your plastic lenses, you may be able to fix them quickly and cheaply using common household products. One option is to use non-gel, non-whitening white toothpaste. The idea behind this method is that the abrasive particles in the toothpaste will buff out the scratches by wearing down the lens coating.
First, clean your glasses with a microfiber cloth to ensure the lenses are free of dirt and debris. Then, apply a small amount of toothpaste to the lens. Gently buff the toothpaste into the lens using a microfiber cloth and small circular motions. Rinse the toothpaste off your lenses with cool water and dry them with a clean microfiber cloth.
It's important to note that this method is not without risk. While toothpaste may help reduce the appearance of scratches, it can also make them worse. Additionally, it will remove the coatings on your lenses, which can impact their functionality and protection. If your lenses have deep scratches, it's best to take them to an optometrist to get them fixed or replaced.
If you want to try using toothpaste on your lenses, it's recommended to do your research first and proceed with caution. There are also other methods you can try, such as using baking soda and water to create a paste, or using commercial scratch removers like Novus Fine Scratch Remover or LensBuff. However, keep in mind that DIY solutions often don't live up to their promises, and the best way to truly remove scratches is to replace the lenses.
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Use wax or furniture polish to fill deep scratches
If you have deep scratches on your plastic lenses, it is best to consult an optometrist or optician to get them fixed or replaced. However, if you want to try a temporary solution using wax or furniture polish to fill in the scratches, here is a step-by-step guide:
First, ensure that your lenses are made of plastic. This method is only suitable for plastic lenses as it will ruin glass lenses. Clean your lenses with a lens cleaner and a microfiber cloth to identify the location of the scratches.
Next, apply a small amount of wax or furniture polish directly onto the lens. Products like Turtle Wax, a car wax, or Lemon Pledge, a furniture polish, are commonly recommended for this purpose. Using a clean microfiber cloth, gently rub the product onto the lens in a circular motion, focusing on the scratched areas.
Wipe away any excess product with a clean, soft cloth or rag. Inspect the lenses to see if the scratches are less apparent. If needed, repeat the process until you achieve the desired results.
It is important to note that this method will remove any coatings on your lenses, such as anti-reflective or scratch-resistant coatings. As a result, your lenses may be more susceptible to scratches in the future. Additionally, wax may make scratches more noticeable as it is more opaque than your lens material. This solution is not permanent and will need to be reapplied weekly.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use a product designed to wax your car or furniture polish that contains wax. You can also use a paste made from baking soda and water, or a non-abrasive toothpaste. However, these methods will remove any coatings on your lenses, and may damage them.
Mix a couple of teaspoons or a tablespoon of baking soda with water in a bowl until you get a thick paste.
Use a microfiber cloth to gently rub the paste over the scratches in a circular motion. Rinse the lenses with cool water and wipe dry. Repeat until the scratches are gone.
You can try a commercial scratch remover, or a scratch filling product that will fill the scratches with wax.
If your lenses have deep scratches, it is best to take them to an optometrist to get them fixed or replaced. You should also not try to polish your lenses if they have a non-reflective coating, as you may damage them.
