You need your glasses to help you see, but nothing prevents them from accomplishing that task like scratched lenses. Scratches happen for any number of reasons, from basic handling over time to accidental drops and bumps. In any case, it's essential that you know how to remove scratches from glasses to keep your favorite pair of specks around longer.
Want to know how to do that? We have great tips on keeping your spectacles clear. This method helps with everything from typical everyday eyeglasses to sunglasses to blue blockers. So, whatever specs you've scratched, this technique will help you handle the situation. The best part? It's a quick fix accomplished in five minutes and only uses a few common household items.
The simple steps
Step 1: Start with clean glasses. Rub your eyewear with a lens cleaner and microfiber cloth to get rid of any dust and debris.
Step 2: Make the magic mixture. Use 1 to 2 teaspoons of baking soda with just enough water to form a thick paste.
Step 3: Spread the paste. Cover the damaged areas of your lens using a microfiber cloth or cotton ball, rubbing gently in a circular motion with minimal pressure.
Step 4: Do a final once over. After you’ve spread the paste over all of the damaged areas, rinse your glasses well with water to get rid of remaining residue.
What not to do
There are two common fixes out there that we want you to be aware of, but avoid anyway. Let's go over toothpaste and glass etching solution tricks.
Step 1: Keep the toothpaste in your mouth. You might see a recommendation to spread toothpaste over your lenses and gently rub it in to remove scratches. While this works, it’s important to keep in mind that you have to use non-gel, non-abrasive, non-whitening toothpaste, or you could make the damage worse.
Step 2: Another trick is to use glass etching solutions to get rid of damaged coating (like anti-glare coating) from lenses. Technically this will work, but you’re taking a risk here, too. If the solution sits on the lenses for too long, just be aware that you could end up doing far worse damage than a minor scratch — plus, you’ll lose the benefit of any protective coating on your lenses.
And there you have it. Don't let the damage keep adding up. In five easy steps, your glasses will go from looking like a pair of Mad Max goggles to something you'll actually see through. If you want to extend the life of your glasses, follow these steps to keep your eye cheaters looking as clear as day. Now, go forth and see!
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