Skip to Main Content

Fix Minor Scratches in Glass with Toothpaste


We’ve discussed how you can use toothpaste to fix minor scratches on your car or the plastic of your headlights, but if you spot stress cracks in your glassware or a pair of reading glasses, toothpaste can fix them right up for you too.

The process is pretty simple—first, make sure you have an actual toothpaste. Gel-style toothpastes won’t work for this. You’ll also want a damp cloth handy. Clean the glass thoroughly first, then rub a dab of toothpaste (they say “dime-sized,” but I think that depends on the crack in question and the size of the object you’re trying to fix) on the crack. Rub the toothpaste in firmly in a circular motion (but obviously not so hard you risk damaging the glass) for about a minute. Look at the glass, and if that did the trick, wipe the excess toothpaste away with the damp cloth. If not, repeat. That’s about it.

Obviously this isn’t a catch all, and we wouldn’t recommend it on expensive glasses or glasses you can (and should) get a professional to repair if they’re damaged, but if you’re short on cash or you have a pair of readers or sunglasses with those tiny annoying stress cracks in them, or a piece of glass furniture or glassware with a few scratches on them that you just can’t help but notice, it’s worth a shot.

Quick Tip: Fix Scratched Glass with Toothpaste | BrightNestPhoto by Janmi S.