How to Remove Scratches from Glass

Co-authored by Jon Gholian

Last Updated: March 7, 2023 References Approved

Found a scratch on your eyeglasses, window, or phone screen? It can be really frustrating to discover a scratch on glass, especially if you have to look at it all of the time. Don’t worry—all hope is not lost. Small scratches can be removed from glass, or at least covered up so they’re not noticeable. This wikiHow will walk you through what to do step-by-step so you can get your glass looking scratch-free.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Polishing with Toothpaste

1
Clean off the glass. Wash off the glass using a clean cloth, making sure the glass is clear of all debris. Allow the glass to dry before attempting to fix the scratch.
- Never use paper towels, lint towels, or newspapers to clean. They will leave marks and scratches behind.^{[1]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Jon Gholian
  Cleaning Specialist
  Expert Interview. 15 December 2020.}
2
Dampen a microfiber cloth. Hold a clean, lint-free cloth under a faucet of lukewarm water. Squeeze the cloth until no more excess moisture drips from it.
- Any debris on the cloth, including dirt or lint, will rub off on the glass and cause an uneven abrasion or more scratches
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3
Squeeze a dot of toothpaste onto the cloth. Squeeze the tube until a pinky-sized dollop of toothpaste comes out. It is better to be cautious with the amount of toothpaste you use. You can always apply more later as you treat the scratch.^{[2]
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- White, non-gel varieties of toothpaste, particularly those with baking soda as an ingredient, are the best to use for scratch removal.
4
Apply the toothpaste to the glass. Place the cloth and the drop of toothpaste on the scratched area. Move the cloth in small, circular motions for 30 seconds.^{[3]
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5
Reapply the toothpaste. Check the area to see how it looks. You may need several applications of toothpaste in order to minimize the scratch. Repeat the steps, applying a drop of toothpaste to the towel and wiping it on the scratch in a circular motion for 30 seconds.
6
Clean off the glass. Get a fresh, clean cloth and wet it under the faucet. Squeeze out the excess moisture again, then take the damp cloth and pass it once over the glass. This makes the glass shine.
- Avoid pressing hard or moving in circles so you don’t push the toothpaste further into the glass.
- If you are cleaning a glass window, you can use a squeegee and work in an S pattern for a streak-free finish.^{[4]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Jon Gholian
  Cleaning Specialist
  Expert Interview. 15 December 2020.}

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Abrading with Baking Soda

1
Clean the glass. Use a clean microfiber cloth so you don’t introduce debris into the scratch. Dampen the cloth with lukewarm water and wash the glass as you normally would.
2
Mix equal parts baking soda and water. You only need a spoonful or less of each ingredient. It’s best to place them in a bowl so you can mix them with a spoon to remove large clumps of baking soda. When mixed, you’ll have a pudding-like paste.^{[5]
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3
Pick up the paste with a microfiber cloth. Again, use a fresh cloth. It helps to wrap the cloth around your finger and press the cloth into the paste. This way, you’ll pick up a small amount of the paste.
4
Rub in the paste in a circular motion. Place the paste on the glass and buff out the scratch by moving the cloth in a circular motion. Do this for 30 seconds maximum, watching for any sign of the scratch disappearing.^{[6]
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5
Rinse the area. Rinse the glass or apply a fresh cloth. Dampen the cloth in lukewarm water and pass it over the scratched area, making sure all the baking soda paste is removed.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Buffing with Metal Polish

1
Clean the glass. Get a clean microfiber cloth damp by placing it under lukewarm water. Squeeze out excess moisture so water does not drip from the cloth. Use the cloth to wipe off any debris, then allow the glass to dry.^{[7]
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- Metal polish is good for gently sanding large, delicate surfaces such as windshields.
2
Wrap a microfiber cloth around your finger. Choose a cloth that won’t leave threads on the glass. A cotton ball works well as an alternative.
3
Apply polish to the cloth. Dip the cloth in or squeeze out the polish so the cloth over your finger receives a small amount of the polish. Limit the amount of polish you use, since overworking the glass with the polish can lead to additional scratches.^{[8]
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- The kind of polish that works quickest has cerium oxide in the ingredients. Jeweler's rouge is a more expensive polish option.
4
Rub the polish into the scratch. Place the cloth and polish on the scratch.. Move the cloth with circular motions for about 30 seconds. The scratch should lessen or disappear entirely. Don’t add more polish, since this is likely to damage the glass.
5
Wash off the polish. Use a clean cloth and dampen it in lukewarm water. Wipe it over the polished area to remove the metal polish.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using Nail Polish on Isolated Scratches

1
Clean the glass. Clean the glass as you normally would, such as by glass cleaner or a dampened microfiber cloth.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Jon Gholian
Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 December 2020.} Make sure all debris is removed from the glass surface, then allow the glass to dry.^{[10]
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2
Dip the applicator brush into the polish. Only use a bottle of clear nail polish for scratch treatment. Dip the applicator that comes with the bottle into the nail polish. You’ll have a small coating of polish to apply to the scratch.
3
Spread the polish over the scratch. Rub the applicator over the scratch. Minimize contact with the surrounding glass as much as possible. When the polish comes off the brush, it will go down into the scratch and remove visible flaws.^{[11]
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4
Let the polish dry for an hour. Leave the polish alone so it has a chance to seep down into the scratch. Come back in an hour prepared to remove the polish.
5
Apply nail polish remover to a microfiber cloth. Tip a bottle of nail polish remover gently against a clean cloth until you have a small spot of polish on the cloth. You only need enough to counteract the polish.^{[12]
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6
Wipe the scratch with the cloth. Using the cloth, spread the polish remover over the scratch. Once you are sure all the nail polish is removed, you can admire your freshened glass.

Expert Q&A

Question

What are the things I should not use to clean glass?

Jon Gholian
Cleaning Specialist
Jon Gholian is a Cleaning Specialist and the Founder of Cleany, a home and office cleaning concierge service based in New York City, New Jersey & Miami. Cleany specializes in providing quality cleaning and handyman services to all their customers. All Cleany employees are insured, bonded, and professionally trained. Cleany has been featured in the New York Times, Bravo & Redfin.

Jon Gholian

Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

Do not use paper towels, lint towels, or newspapers to clean glass. They leave marks and scratches behind.
Question

How can I clean glass without streaks?

Jon Gholian
Cleaning Specialist
Jon Gholian is a Cleaning Specialist and the Founder of Cleany, a home and office cleaning concierge service based in New York City, New Jersey & Miami. Cleany specializes in providing quality cleaning and handyman services to all their customers. All Cleany employees are insured, bonded, and professionally trained. Cleany has been featured in the New York Times, Bravo & Redfin.

Jon Gholian

Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

You can use a squeegee and work in an S pattern. Wipe any excess water and dirt from the blade as you go. After that, wipe with a microfiber towel.
Question

How can I remove scratches from the camera lens on my phone?

Community Answer

As a photographer for over 40 years, I would suggest not trying to remove scratches from a camera lens. You could damage it more and remove the coatings that are applied at the factory.

Warnings

If your fingernail fits into the scratch, you should not try to fix it using these methods. Consult a professional to refinish or replace the glass.

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Do not continuously scrub over any scratch spots. This will further damage the glass.

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