Eyeglasses can break or bend when you carry them without a case, lay them on the table or accidentally drop them. It’s inevitable that somewhere along the way they will get scratches or break down.

Everyone who wears eyeglasses knows how annoying it is to have scratches on the lenses. Scratched lenses are uncomfortable to wear, impair your vision, and, most importantly, can actually damage your eyes.

Spots on the lens can sometimes be just dust or smudge, but other times it can be an actual scratch on your eyeglass lens. Most quality lenses have an anti-scratch coating, but it’s inevitable that some scratches will appear.

If you are having trouble with scratches on eyeglasses, here are a few easy ways to fix them using household products.

Here is how you do it:

1. Use a microfiber cloth to remove the first layer of dust off your lenses, Clean your glasses well.
2. Apply eyeglasses cleaner and continue wiping the lenses to remove smudge.
3. Do this for both sides of the lenses until they are sparkly clean
4. Once you finish with the cleaning process, it’s time to remove the scratches from your eyeglass lens. There are three types of products you can use as scratch removers. Two are common household products, and the third is a special product you can get in most supermarkets. Check them out.

We’ve rated the scratch-removing products with stars, by with how easy it is to use them and how accessible they are.

Toothpaste

Believe it or not, toothpaste is effective in removing scratches. Here’s how to use toothpaste for removing scratches :

1. Apply non-abrasive toothpaste on the lenses, particularly in the places where you spot a scratch. Then use a cotton or wool cloth to buff away the scratches.
2. Rub the lenses firmly, in small circles, for about 30 seconds.
3. Rinse the eyeglass frame and lenses with cold water and dry them with a soft cloth. The scratches should be gone, and your glasses are now clean, to boot.
4. Depending on the size of the scratch, you may have to repeat the process.
5. If your lenses have anti-scratching coating, you have a reduced risk of getting scratches on your lenses. But it can still eventually happen. Be patient as you rub your lenses using the proper technique and the pesky scratch will go away.

Five stars because you already have it in your bathroom.

Baking soda

Baking soda is as accessible as toothpaste and can do a wonderful job for you. Here’s how to use baking soda for eyeglasses scratches :

1. All you need is just one or two tablespoons of baking soda mixed with water.
2. Combine the baking soda and water in a small cup, stirring the mixture slowly until it forms a thick paste.
3. Apply the paste onto the lenses and use the same process as you did with the toothpaste.
4. Don’t forget to rinse your glasses in cold water and dry them thoroughly.

Four stars and let’s hope you’ve got it in your kitchen!

Scratch removal products

There are a variety of supermarket products that are designed to remove scratches from your eyeglasses. Never use any type of product on glass lenses unless there are specific instructions that tell you to do so. Most of these products have hydrofluoric acid that dissolves the coating and removes the scratches. Here’s how to use scratch removal products :

1. Apply the cream to the lenses and let it sit for five to 10 minutes. After that, rinse your eyeglasses in cold water and dry them with a soft cloth.
2. You can also use car wax or glass polish to treat scratches on your lenses. While car wax or glass polish won’t make the scratches go away, they will fill them up temporarily.
3. Rub the wax or/ polish onto the lenses for a couple of minutes. It should feel like you are polishing the lens.
4. Wipe it off with a thin cloth without using water.
5. Repeat the process weekly to keep the lenses clear.

Three stars because you have to look for it in the supermarket.