How to Get Rid of Eyeglass Scratches (and Prevent Them From Reoccurring)
Unless you use an expensive anti-scratch coating or take good care of your glasses, chances are good that your lenses will get scratched from time to time. And even if you don’t wear prescription glasses, you probably have a pair of sunglasses somewhere, and they also tend to scratch (especially if you throw them in your car’s glove compartment without a case).
But the good news is that there are ways to not only prevent scratches on your glasses, but also to get rid of existing scratches. Here are some tips on how to do both.
How to remove scratches on glasses
Of course, when we talk about “glasses” scratching, we’re really talking about the lenses, not the frames (although they can get scratched too). And the scratches we’re dealing with here are relatively minor due to everyday wear and tear – nothing too deep or damaged.
Before doing anything else, Spy’s Jonathan Zavaleta recommends rinsing your glasses with warm water and then wiping off any dirt or dust from the lenses with a microfiber cloth. Then it’s time to make a homemade solution to help get rid of the scratches.
According to Zavaleta, mix a couple tablespoons of baking soda with a little water to make a thick paste. Then take a clean microfiber cloth (i.e. not the one you just used) and gently apply the solution to the lenses.
Then rinse the glasses again with lukewarm water and use a third clean microfiber cloth to wipe them down according to Zavaleta’s instructions.
How to prevent scratches on your glasses
Now that you know how to get rid of minor scratches on your lenses, let’s talk about how to prevent them. It goes without saying that safely storing your glasses in a suitable case (meaning large enough, secure and with a hard case) is the best way to protect them, but there are other things to keep in mind.
Here are some tips courtesy of Washington Eye Doctors :
Be careful when removing glasses
Grasp them by the hands (also known as whiskey), not by the edges. “This way your fingers completely avoid the frame and area of the lens, which reduces the chances of being accidentally scratched,” they write . “Plus, holding them by the temples with both hands gives them a better grip, so you’re less likely to drop them.”
Pay attention to how you put them
Always place glasses with lenses facing up (unless they are in a case that requires the opposite position). In addition, the safest position for them is their hands / temples open and upturned, which Washington Island doctors say makes them more stable. Also, remember to put your glasses in a safe place and not in a place where they can be easily knocked over or accidentally damaged.
Clean them with suitable materials
Instead of wiping your glasses on your shirt, napkin, or towel, use a soft microfiber cloth. Other materials are more abrasive and may cause you to unknowingly scratch your glasses (which violates purpose).