Anyone who wears glasses, unfortunately, has had to deal with scratches on their glasses at least once in their life. Even though technology continues to improve, and lenses have specific scratch-resistant treatments, it is inevitable that sooner or later some scuff will appear.
Besides the aesthetic issue, it is also important to consider that a scratched pair of glasses may not perform its job properly, preventing us from seeing well or causing discomfort that can become problematic over time.
Today we want to suggest some homemade remedies that could restore the shine to your lenses and allow you to see clearly again.
WARNING: the methods described here should not be considered definitive. In any case, it is essential to act with caution to avoid worsening the situation.
Moreover, some systems may damage any anti-reflective or other treatments that the lenses have undergone.
Some tips to avoid scratching your glasses
There are many reasons why glasses can get scratched, and for example, being careless when storing them can damage them immediately.
Let’s see what some good practices are to avoid the problem at its root, following the old saying that says “Prevention is better than cure.”
Use a case
Glasses are such a part of us and accompany us at every moment that we do not realize how delicate they can be.
Putting glasses in your pocket, or in the car's dashboard, or worse yet in a bag without properly protecting them can lead to scratches on the lenses. It becomes essential, therefore, to always use a protective case, even better if hard, that offers the right protection for our precious glasses.
Clean them with a microfiber cloth
For speed or distraction, it happens that glasses are cleaned with ineffective or even harmful methods.
You should not use a t-shirt or sweatshirt, or worse, a sweater to try to give them shine.
The fibers of cotton and wool are among the worst enemies of transparency and integrity; it is better to always use a microfiber cloth specifically designed to remove dust and stains from lenses.
Never use paper towels or toilet paper: the cellulose contained in them is very abrasive and can cause imperfections.
Always place them on the correct side
When not in use, glasses should not be placed lens-side down because it takes little to end up with a scratch. It is better to fold them and place them on the side of the temples or horizontally, avoiding contact between the lenses and surfaces.
Scratch-resistant treatments - Essilor
You can request a scratch-resistant treatment for your glasses from your optician, which significantly reduces the likelihood of scratching. At Mondelliani, we always recommend treating the lenses this way and we use the Crizal Sapphire from Essilor, to avoid costly repairs later. Plus, you can also get insurance on the lenses so you won’t have to worry in the future!
What to do to act immediately in case of light scratches?
Even if we have carefully followed all these instructions, our glasses may have suffered superficial scratches that can be remedied. Let’s see some suggestions.
How to remove scratches from glasses
Use toothpaste
One of the most suggested and controversial home methods is the use of toothpaste. After all, if it works so well on tooth enamel, why shouldn’t it work on glasses?
You need to put a small amount of toothpaste on a finger and, with circular motions, rub for a few minutes on both sides. This way, the imperfections should disappear.
IMPORTANT: do not use whitening toothpaste or those with microbeads, as they contain abrasive substances that could worsen the situation.
Once you have rubbed the glasses, rinse them with cold water and dry them with a microfiber cloth.
Baking soda paste
A true lifesaver for household chores and more, baking soda is one of the most versatile materials for cleaning surfaces.
To clean the lenses, it can also be useful to create a paste by dissolving some baking soda with a few drops of water and rubbing the lenses always with circular motions for a few minutes.
Once the paste is well spread, rinse the glasses with cold water.
Be very careful not to touch the frame but only the lenses, as some materials may get damaged or whitened when rubbed with baking soda.
Wax or petroleum jelly
Usually, wax and petroleum jelly are associated with cleaning the metal parts of car bodies, but they can also be very useful for cleaning lenses. They should be spread with circular motions and then removed with a soft cloth.
Go to a specialized center
The best advice remains to consult your trusted optician or a specialized center.
This way, it will be possible to assess the extent of the damage, determine whether it is preferable to try to remove the scratches or if it is necessary to change the lenses.
At Mondelliani, you can find all these services and much more, we are waiting for you!