Can toothpaste get rid of scratches on sunglasses? – ( 5 Other Hacks you can try )

Aha! I guess you are one of those wondering if toothpaste get rid of scratches on sunglasses. Actually, a lot of people are asking same question! We see “life hacks” and do-it-yourself videos on social media discussing how to remove scratches from eyeglass lenses. But do they really work?

Well, the fact remains that even if you usually take good care of your sunglasses, you will probably end up with a scratch or two on your lenses just from regular wear and tear. After all, sunglasses get knocked around, they get tossed around in your bag or backpack, and sometimes they even get dropped.

So back to the question on the potency of toothpaste to get rid of scratches on sunglasses

The fact is that toothpaste is reasonably effective for small scratches (as long as it is NOT GEL!), but that doesn’t exactly help with scratches that are deep. Try to rub your fingernail on the the surface, if you can feel the scratch , then you should learn to rock it like that or consider a replacement, because there might be hardly any hack to fix that.

Why is toothpaste considered useful for removing scratches on Sunglasses?

Though Toothpaste is marketed as non-abrasive, it still contains a small amount of an abrasive component that is effective for cleaning teeth. This abrasive component gently removes a thin layer of plastic from the lens, smoothing out the surface and removing scratches.

What kind of toothpaste removes scratches from eyeglass?

All you need is a lint-free cloth, a non-gel toothpaste (one with baking soda is even better) and a damp cloth. First, clean the jar well and dry it with a lint-free cloth. Put a blob of toothpaste on a soft cloth and rub it into the scratch in a circular motion.

How does toothpaste remove scratches from glasses?

• Rub the paste into the scratch with a cotton ball in circular motions.
• Massage the lenses nicely for about 10 seconds.
• Rinse off the toothpaste with cold water.
• If there is excess, take a lint-free cloth and wipe it off.
• Repeat the process as needed until the scratch is minimized.

>>> See in this video below

What Not to Do While Removing Scratches From Eyeglasses Using Hacks

• • It is often recommended that you spread toothpaste on your eyeglass lenses and gently rub it in to remove scratches. While this can work, it is important to note that you must use a non-gel, non-abrasive, non-whitening toothpaste or you risk making the damage worse. We recommend avoiding toothpaste altogether, as our method is just as effective and not nearly as risky.
  • Another common method is to use glass etching solutions to remove damaged coatings (such as the anti-glare layer) from lenses. Technically, this works, but you are also taking a risk here. If the solution is left on the lenses for too long, it can severely corrode them. If you decide to use this method, be aware that you may end up doing far more damage than just a small scratch – plus, you lose the benefit of a protective layer on your lenses.

Tips to Prevent Scratches On Eyeglasses

You will agree with me that preventing scratches on Eyeglasses is better than trying to learn all the hacks to remove them. Hence, If you want to extend the life of your eyeglasses, follow these tips to avoid scratches. Accumulated scratches make it difficult to use your glasses over time, and replacement is not cheap.

• Ensure you to keep your glasses on.
• Carry your glass case with you when traveling.
• Ensure your eyeglass case has a hard protective surface.
• Don’t drop your glasses lens down.

5 Other Hacks You Can Try To Get Rid Of Scratches On Eyeglasses

1. BAKING SODA

If you’re paranoid about using the wrong kind of toothpaste, baking soda can be a good alternative. It basically does the same thing as toothpaste and is another common household item, especially if you like to bake. Even if you don’t have it readily available at home, it’s a cheap and common product that’s not difficult to find at the supermarket.

To use baking soda on your scratched eyeglass lenses, mix baking soda and water until a paste is formed. Using a soft cloth, rub this paste into your lenses and then wash them off, repeating the process as needed. As with toothpaste, this may take several tries if the scratch is deep. If you don’t know anything better to do with your time, just scrub away your scratches and your life.

2. FURNITURE AND CAR WAX

Car & furniture wax is another household item that can get rid scratches. And it works great if you use it on cars and furniture respectively. Using any of these products on your eyeglass lenses may remove the scratches on the lens. However, it may also affect the clarity of the lenses. The whole purpose of removing the scratch in your lenses is so you can see through them better, but if you remove the scratch but don’t improve the visibility of your lens, then it’s kind of pointless.

3. METAL POLISH

Another way to remove scratches is metal polish and rubbing alcohol. Use a metal polish that is not very abrasive and use it to polish away any scratch. You will need to polish in small circles until the scratch is gone. As with the other methods, it may take a while to polish away the scratches from your eyeglass lenses, so you may need to do this process several times. Finally, after you are done polishing your lenses and are satisfied with the end result, use a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol to do a thorough cleaning.

Just about all sunglasses, however, have a UV coating. Metal polish will wear away this UV coating, so inasmuch as it might seem effective, I do not recommended using this method on sunglasses. Damage from ultraviolet rays is dreadful, and you only have one pair of eyes, but you may be lucky and willing to take the risk.

4. GLASS ETCHING WAX

If the scratch appears to be more than just a surface scratch, then it may be time to bring out the big guns. Glass etching wax is a strong acid and will burn the outer layer of the glass where the scratch is located.

For this method, you’ll need glass etching wax, rubber gloves (or other high-quality disposable gloves), and cotton swabs. You will use the cotton swabs to apply the etching wax, but you will not rub it in. Since it is a strong acid, you must work quickly and apply only enough to cover the lens. Do not leave the substance on the lens for more than 5 minutes or it will damage the lenses. Then wash off all the wax with water and clean your glasses with a cloth towel.

This method is only recommended for plastic lenses with a coating, as you will peel off the coating to remove the scratch. As with metal polishing, you will likely remove the UV coating and any other protective layer the glasses may have had. And if you accidentally leave the acid on the lenses too long, you’ll damage the lenses even more. So getting the acid out may not be the best idea.

5. SUNSCREEN

For mirrored lenses, sunscreen can help remove the scratch on the lenses. However, it works only if the scratch is in the mirrored part of the lenses. If it goes deeper into other layers, then this method is just a waste of time. Like furniture/car wax and glass etching, you need to apply the sunscreen to the entire lens. It can’t be used just to scratch because the sunscreen removes the mirror as the whole layer from your lenses.

Because you are removing a layer, the clarity, tint and other aspects of your lenses may change. If you have polycarbonate (plastic) lenses instead of glass, you may remove the UV coating in your lenses, which can be harmful to your eyes. And most sunglasses these days are made of polycarbonate. Sunscreens work best on your skin, not on the lenses of your sunglasses.

In Conclusion

An expert once said that “The best way to ensure you have a scratch-free lense is to protect your eyeglasses when you are not wearing them and avoid scratches in the first place”.

However, if you have accidentally scratched your eyeglass lenses, there is no need to worry. You can try one of the home remedies mentioned above to remove the scratch. Just make sure you read the instructions and advice thoroughly because you risk aggravating your lens.