How to Get Scratches Off of Glass in No Time

By
Mary Marlowe Leverette
Mary Marlowe Leverette 2018
Mary Marlowe Leverette

Mary Marlowe Leverette is one of the industry's most highly-regarded housekeeping and fabric care experts, sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, laundry, and textile conservation. She is also a Master Gardener with over 40+ years of experience and 20+ years of writing experience. Mary is also a member of The Spruce Gardening and Plant Care Review Board.

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Updated on 03/07/23
Reviewed by
Brandon Pleshek
Brandon Pleshek headshot.
Reviewed by Brandon Pleshek
Brandon Pleshek of Clean That Up! is a seasoned veteran of the cleaning industry with over 20 years of experience in commercial and residential cleaning. He is a member of The Spruce's Cleaning and Organizing Review Board
Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
Person holding up a drinking glass with many scratches on it

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 10 - 15 mins
  • Total Time: 10 mins - 2 hrs, 15 mins
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $5 to 10

Glass surfaces are everywhere in our homes, from windows to tabletops, vases to shower doors. While glass is very durable, normal use over time can result in small scratches that mar and dull the surface.

The superficial scratches don't present a big threat to the structure of the glass, but they do look unsightly. Fortunately, you can get off many small scratches from the glass with just a few products.

How Often to Remove Scratches From Glass

To keep glass surfaces looking their best, tackle the scratches as soon as you notice them. Removing one or two scratches is much easier than waiting until there are dozens.

Before You Begin

These methods will remove shallow, superficial scratches on glass surfaces. If the scratch is deep enough to feel with the edge of your fingernail, consult a professional glazier about polishing out the scratch or replacing the glass.

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What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • 2 microfiber cloths
  • 1 small bowl

Materials

  • 1 tube non-gel toothpaste
  • 1 bottle clear nail polish
  • 1 bottle nail polish remover
  • 1 container metal polish
  • 1 box baking soda
  • 1 container glass cleaner

Instructions

Supplies needed for removing scratches from glass

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

How to Get Scratches Off Glass With Toothpaste

  1. Clean the Glass Surface

    • If the glass surface is dirty with dust or fingerprints, use a glass cleaner to clean away the grime.
    • Dry with a lint-free microfiber cloth.

    Tip

    If you don't have a commercial glass cleaner on hand, make your own by combining either distilled white vinegar or isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and water in a spray bottle.

    Spraying the scratched glass with glass cleaner

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

  2. Apply the Toothpaste

    • Place a dab of toothpaste on a soft cloth.
    • Gently rub the scratched area of the glass in a circular motion.
    • Check your progress to see if the scratch is gone. 
    • Repeat the process until the scratch can no longer be seen. 

    Tip

    Always use non-gel toothpaste. A brand that contains baking soda (a mild abrasive) is a bonus. 

    Applying toothpaste to the scratched glass

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

  3. Clean the Glass

    When the scratch is gone, wipe away any toothpaste residue and clean the glass surface once again with a lint-free microfiber cloth to remove smudges.

    Drying off the scratched glass

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

How to Get Scratches Off Glass With Baking Soda

  1. Make a Paste

    In a small bowl, mix one tablespoon of baking soda with one tablespoon of water to make a paste. You can increase the amount of paste in a 1:1 ratio if there are lots of scratches to remove from the glass.

    Mixing a baking soda cleaning paste

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

  2. Clean the Glass

    Clean the glass to remove any dust or debris that might cause additional scratches.

    Cleaning the glass before applying baking soda paste

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

  3. Apply the Paste

    • Dip a soft cloth in the paste.
    • Gently scrub the scratches on the glass surface in a circular motion.
    • Check your progress and add more paste if needed.
    Applying baking soda paste to the scratched glass

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

  4. Clean the Glass

    • Remove traces of the paste with a damp cloth.
    • Clean the glass surface with a glass cleaner.
    Cleaning the glass after using the baking soda paste

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

How to Get Scratches Off Glass With Metal Polish

Warning

While metal polishes sold to clean brass or silver can be used to remove scratches from glass, it is very important to use as little of the cleaner as possible. It is more abrasive than other methods and can add more scratches to the glass.

  1. Clean the Glass

    Use a commercial or homemade glass cleaner to remove dust and dirt.

    Cleaning the glass off before applying metal polish

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

  2. Apply the Metal Polish

    • Put a small dot of the metal polish on a damp, soft cloth.
    • Lightly rub the scratched area.
    • Check your progress to make sure you are not scratching the surrounding glass area.
    Applying metal polish to a scratched glass

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

  3. Clean Away the Metal Polish

    • Wipe away the polish with a damp cloth.
    • Clean the glass with a lint-free microfiber cloth.
    Cleaning away the metal polish on the glass

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

How to Get Scratches Off Glass With Clear Nail Polish

  1. Clean the Glass Surface

    Use a lint-free microfiber cloth and glass cleaner to clean the glass surface.

    Cleaning a scratched glass

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

  2. Apply the Clear Nail Polish

    Use the applicator brush to apply a thin layer of clear nail polish on the scratch. The polish will fill in the scratch making it less noticeable.

    Applying clear nail polish to a scratched glass

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

  3. Dry, Clean, and Buff

    • Allow the nail polish to dry and cure on the glass for at least one hour.
    • Dampen a microfiber cloth with nail polish remover (acetone).
    • Wipe the glass to remove any nail polish left on the surface. Don't scrub or you will remove the nail polish from the scratch.
    • Buff the glass to a shine with a dry, clean microfiber cloth.
    Dabbing nail polish remover onto the glass

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

Tips to Keep Your Glass Surface Scratch-Free Longer

  • Use coasters and placemats on glass tabletops.
  • Do not clean glass with paper towels or any cleaning cloth that contains scratchy fibers.
  • Be sure your cleaning cloth is free of grit and dirt that can leave scratches.
  • Do not wash windows or glass surfaces with hard water that contains excessive levels of minerals. Use bottled water if necessary.
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