How to Get Scratches Off Your Prescription Glasses

Restore your glasses so they look clear & like-new

Written by David Felsted, DO | Edited by Dan Hickey

Last Updated: September 22, 2025 Fact Checked

If your glasses are scratched, the best course of action is to bring them to an eyecare professional for repair or replacement. However, there are several home remedies that may be effective for minor scratches. We'll show you how to use household items to remove those scratches so your glasses look brand new. Plus, we've got tips on how to prevent scratching your glasses in the future. Read on to learn everything you need to know about restoring your prescription glasses and keeping them in tip-top shape.

This article is based on an interview with comprehensive ophthalmologist David Felsted, DO. Check out the full interview here.

Best Scratch-Removing Hacks for Glasses

Wash your glasses with dish soap and water.
Apply toothpaste to your lenses.
Polish your lenses with car wax.
Rub metal polish into plastic frames or lenses.
Cover plastic lenses with etching cream.
Rinse your lenses off.

1

Wash your glasses with dish soap and water.

Download Article

Clean your glasses before dealing with the scratches. Go to the kitchen sink, turn it on, and make sure the water is room temperature. Place your glasses underneath the running water. Squeeze a small drop of dish soap onto your index finger and your thumb. Use gentle pressure to rub your lenses. Rinse your glasses off. Then, dry your lenses with a microfiber cloth.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Dish soap loosens up any buildup, like dust or sweat, that might coat your lenses.
- A microfiber cloth won’t get lint on your glasses or smudge them. When you use it to dry your glasses, it’ll be a lot easier to see the scratches on your lenses.

2

Apply toothpaste to your lenses.

Download Article

Rub out scratches with a non-abrasive, non-gel brand of toothpaste. Squeeze one dab of toothpaste onto each of your lenses. Use your finger to rub the toothpaste into any scratches on your lenses for about 10 seconds. Rinse your lenses and wipe off the toothpaste with a clean microfiber cloth.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Use white or clear toothpaste that won’t stain your lenses.
- Steer clear of any advanced formulas that whiten or remove plaque from teeth, as these abrasive varieties can create even more scratches.
- Warning: Toothpaste is not a guaranteed fix, especially for severely scratched lenses. Be gentle and stop using toothpaste if you notice scratches getting worse.

3

Polish your lenses with car wax.

Download Article

Use car wax to fill in the scratches on your lenses. Dampen a clean microfiber cloth with car wax and rub your lenses in a circular motion. Check and make sure the car wax fills all the scratches on your lenses. Use a fresh microfiber cloth to buff your glasses.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- If you still see scratches, repeat this process multiple times until your lenses are clear.
- Car wax usually comes in either spray bottles or tubs, but either variety will work.
- The wax fills in the scratches and wears off over time, but you can reapply it to maintain the quality of your lenses.
- Warning: This method is not guaranteed to remove scratches and may smear lenses that have protective coatings. Discontinue use if you notice your lenses getting more scratched or foggier.

4

Rub metal polish into plastic frames or lenses.

Download Article

Buff away scratches in your lenses with a non-abrasive metal polish. Dip a clean microfiber cloth in a non-abrasive metal polish and use it to rub your lenses in a circular motion. Continue to buff your lenses until the scratches fade away.^{[4]
X
Research source} To remove the metal polish from your lenses, sprinkle rubbing alcohol onto them and wipe them down with a cotton ball.
- When you use metal polish, you strip off the scratched-up coating on plastic lenses.
- Avoid using metal polish on your prescription glasses so you can keep the UV coating on them.
- Warning: Metal polish won’t work on glass lenses because they don’t have the same coating as plastic lenses. Do not use metal polish on glass lenses as it can cause them to frost or become opaque.

5

Cover plastic lenses with etching cream.

Download Article

Use etching cream to remove the scratched-up coating on plastic lenses. Scoop up etching cream from the bottle with a cotton ball. Apply etching cream evenly across your lenses. If you get any etching cream on the frames, use a cotton swab to wipe it off. Wait for 5 minutes, then rub off the etching cream with a clean cotton ball.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Warning: Use etching cream only for your plastic lenses. If you put etching cream on glass lenses, you’ll cause them to “frost,” or permanently fog over and crack.
- For more tips from our readers, check out wikiHow's "How to Remove Scratches from Glasses" forum.

6

Rinse your lenses off.

Download Article

Use water and dish soap to remove any excess solution that’s still on your lenses. Turn on your kitchen sink and make sure the water is room temperature. Squeeze a small drop of dish soap onto your lenses, then place them under the running water. Rinse them until you’ve removed any residue or soap suds.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Water and soap remove any small particles still on your lenses.
- Room temperature water is best because it won’t fog up your glasses or warp your lenses.

7

Dry your lenses with a new microfiber cloth.

Download Article

Use a clean cloth so you won’t get grit on your lenses. Dr. Felsted recommends folding the microfiber cloth over your glasses and drying both sides of the lenses.^{[7]
X
Expert Source

David Felsted, DO
Comprehensive Ophthalmologist

Expert Interview} Pinch each lens and rub it with your microfiber until you’ve removed all the moisture.
- Try to use a new microfiber cloth every time you polish your glasses. A used microfiber may have dust or dirt on it and scratch your lenses again.

8

Wrap a microfiber cloth around your glasses.

Download Article

A microfiber cloth gives your glasses added protection. Dr. Felsted explains, “Keep a microfiber cleaning cloth wrapped around the glasses when [you] put them in the case,” and cover them completely so that they’re fully cushioned.^{[8]
X
Expert Source

David Felsted, DO
Comprehensive Ophthalmologist

Expert Interview} This microfiber cloth acts as a barrier to keep dust and moisture off your glasses.
- You can also place your glasses in a microfiber, suede, leather, or plastic pouch.

9

Store your glasses in a padded case.

Download Article

A padded case keeps dust buildup and other residue off your glasses. Dr. Felsted advises to “Always keep [your glasses] in a padded case.”^{[9]
X
Expert Source

David Felsted, DO
Comprehensive Ophthalmologist

Expert Interview} Once you’ve wrapped a microfiber cloth around your glasses or put them in a pouch, open up a padded case and place your glasses in it. Close the lid and store it anywhere that’s easy to access.
- The padding inside a case will provide an extra layer of protection from scratches.
- When you store your glasses in a case, your lenses won’t rub up against hard objects or rough surfaces, and you won’t crack your glasses if you drop them.
- Dr. Felsted also mentions that you can wear an “eyewear retainer,” or a band around your neck that keeps your glasses on your face so they don’t fall off and get scratched.^{[10]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  David Felsted, DO
  Comprehensive Ophthalmologist
  
  Expert Interview}

10

Clean your glasses regularly with a lens spray.

Download Article

Lens spray keeps any small particles from scratching your glasses. Once you’ve restored your lenses until they look brand new, continue to take care of them and maintain their quality. Whenever you notice grit, dust, sweat, makeup, or any other residue on your glasses, Dr. Felsted says to polish them immediately with a lens spray.^{[11]
X
Expert Source

David Felsted, DO
Comprehensive Ophthalmologist

Expert Interview} Dry them off with a microfiber cloth, then put them back on and enjoy a clear view.
- “Most glasses counters will give away free lens sprays. Using an approved lens spray to clean off your glasses and keep them from having dirt buildup and grit on the actual coating helps a lot,” Dr. Felsted continues.^{[12]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  David Felsted, DO
  Comprehensive Ophthalmologist
  
  Expert Interview}
- You’ll extend the life of your glasses when you’re proactive and clean them as soon as possible.

Join the Discussion...

How to remove scratches from glasses?

WikiAxolotlRunner633

Scratched up my glasses pretty bad and now it's making it tough to see. I'm looking for some quick hacks to buff the scratches out of the lenses so I can see clearly again.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Do scratched glasses affect your prescription?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Scratches on your glasses won't actually change the prescription, but they can impact how well you're able to see out of them. This can strain your eyes, which can lead to headaches and blurry vision.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

Can rubbing toothpaste on glasses make scratches worse?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Yes. You can sometimes use toothpaste to buff out very minor scratches from glass lenses, but it can also lead to new scratches. It can also damage special coatings on lenses, like scratch-resistant treatments or UV protection.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

Will these methods work on an anti-reflective coated lens?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

You'll need to be especially careful when trying to remove scratches from coated lenses. Many DIY approaches will damage the coating, which could make the scratches seem worse. It may be better to replace the lens.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Do not use baking soda to buff out scratches. While it may remove the scratch, it can also warp your lenses, erode their protective coatings, and make them opaque over time.^{[13]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1