Phone screen scratches are annoyingly common. While severe damage might require professional repair, you can try simple DIY methods to address minor scratches at home. These techniques are affordable and may help improve the look of your screen. Before you start, turn off your phone and protect any ports from liquids. Remember, these methods are best for light surface scratches.
Check out our blog for more detailed instructions on how to tackle these scratches effectively.
Notes for Repairing Scratches on Phones Yourself
Important Notes for DIY Phone Scratch Repair:
- Power off: Always turn your phone off and remove the battery (if possible) before starting.
- Prevent liquid damage: Seal any ports with tape to avoid water getting inside.
- Mild scratches only: These methods work best for minor surface scratches. Seek professional help for deep scratches or cracks.
- Material matters: Use toothpaste for plastic screens, and glass polish for glass screens.
- Protect afterward: Once scratches are fixed, use a screen protector and case to prevent future damage.
10 Simple Tricks to Get Rid of Phone Screen Scratches
1. Using Toothpaste
This method involves utilizing the mild abrasive properties of toothpaste to eliminate scratches from the phone screen:
- Apply a small amount of non-gel toothpaste to a soft, clean cloth.
- Gently rub the toothpaste onto the scratched area using circular motions.
- Wipe off the excess toothpaste with a damp cloth and buff the screen with a dry cloth.
- Avoid applying excessive pressure to prevent further damage to the screen.
Important Notes:
- Ensure the toothpaste is non-gel to avoid damaging the screen.
- Test the toothpaste on a small area first to check for compatibility.
- Avoid using toothpaste on screens with anti-glare coatings.
2. Using Glass Polish
This method involves using glass polish, which contains fine abrasive particles designed to smooth out scratches on glass screens:
- Apply a small amount of glass polish onto a soft cloth.
- Rub the polish onto the scratched area with gentle pressure in a circular motion.
- Continue buffing until the scratches begin to diminish.
- Clean the screen with a damp cloth and dry it thoroughly.
Important Notes:
- Use glass polish specifically formulated for screens.
- Avoid using excessive pressure to prevent further damage.
- Test the glass polish on a small area first to ensure compatibility
3. Using Magic Eraser or Pencil Eraser
Magic erasers or pencil erasers work by gently rubbing away scratches on the phone screen:
- Moisten the eraser slightly and gently rub it over the scratched area in circular motions.
- Continue rubbing until the scratches begin to fade.
- Wipe the screen clean with a damp cloth and dry it thoroughly.
Important Notes:
- Use gentle pressure to avoid causing further damage.
- Test the eraser on a small area first to ensure compatibility.
- Avoid excessive rubbing, especially on sensitive screen coatings.
4. Sandpaper or Drill Grinders
This method involves using fine-grit sandpaper or drill grinders to sand down deeper scratches on the phone screen:
- Use fine-grit sandpaper or a fine drill grinder bit.
- Lightly sand or grind the scratched area in a circular motion until the scratches are smoothed out.
- Be very careful not to apply too much pressure or damage the screen further.
- Clean the screen thoroughly after sanding.
Important Notes:
- Extreme caution is required when using sandpaper or drill grinders to avoid further damage.
- Test on a small, inconspicuous area first.
- Avoid getting any debris into the phone’s ports or buttons.
5. Egg and Potassium Aluminum Sulfate
This method involves creating a paste using crushed eggshells and potassium aluminum sulfate to reduce the appearance of scratches on the phone screen:
- Crush eggshells into a fine powder and mix with potassium aluminum sulfate to create a paste.
- Apply the paste to the scratched area and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Gently rub the paste onto the scratches with a soft cloth.
- Wipe off the excess paste and clean the screen with a damp cloth.
- Avoid getting the paste into the phone’s ports or buttons.
Important Notes:
- Test the paste on a small area first to ensure compatibility.
- Use caution to avoid scratching the screen further with abrasive particles.
- Clean the screen thoroughly after using the paste.
6. Vegetable Oil
This method involves using vegetable oil to temporarily fill in minor scratches on the phone screen:
- Apply a small amount of vegetable oil to a soft cloth.
- Rub the oil onto the scratched area in a circular motion.
- Continue rubbing until the scratches start to diminish.
- Wipe off any excess oil with a clean cloth.
Important Notes:
- Vegetable oil may only provide temporary relief and may not permanently remove scratches.
- Avoid using excessive amounts of oil to prevent greasiness on the screen.
- Clean the screen thoroughly after using vegetable oil.
7. Car Scratch Removal Creams
Car scratch removal creams contain abrasive compounds that can help to buff out scratches on phone screens:
- Apply a small amount of the cream to a soft cloth.
- Gently rub the cream onto the scratched area with circular motions.
- Buff the screen until the scratches begin to fade.
- Wipe off any excess cream with a clean cloth.
Important Notes:
- Use car scratch removal creams specifically designed for screens.
- Test the cream on a small area first to ensure compatibility.
- Avoid using excessive pressure to prevent further damage to the screen.
8. Baby Powder
This method involves using baby powder to fill in and minimize the appearance of scratches on the phone screen:
- Apply a small amount of baby powder to the scratched area.
- Rub the powder into the scratches with a soft cloth.
- Continue rubbing until the scratches start to diminish.
- Wipe off any excess powder with a clean cloth.
Important Notes:
- Baby powder may only provide temporary relief and may not permanently remove scratches.
- Avoid using excessive amounts of powder to prevent leaving residue on the screen.
- Clean the screen thoroughly after using baby powder.
9. Petroleum Jelly
This method involves using petroleum jelly to temporarily fill in minor scratches on the phone screen:
- Apply a small amount of petroleum jelly to the scratched area.
- Gently rub the jelly into the scratches with a soft cloth.
- Continue rubbing until the scratches are less noticeable.
- Wipe off any excess jelly with a clean cloth.
Important Notes:
- Petroleum jelly may only provide temporary relief and may not permanently remove scratches.
- Avoid using excessive amounts of jelly to prevent greasiness on the screen.
- Clean the screen thoroughly after using petroleum jelly.
10. Banana
This method involves using banana peels, which contain natural oils and potassium, to buff out minor scratches on the phone screen:
- Rub the inside of a banana peel onto the scratched area in a circular motion.
- Continue rubbing until the scratches start to diminish.
- Wipe off any residue with a clean cloth.
- Avoid getting banana residue into the phone’s ports or buttons.
Important Notes:
- Bananas may only provide temporary relief and may not permanently remove scratches.
- Avoid using excessive force when rubbing the banana peel to prevent damage to the screen.
- Clean the screen thoroughly after using a banana peel.
How to protect your phone screen from scratches
1. Apply a tempered glass screen protector from the outset:
- Purchase and apply a high-quality tempered glass screen protector to enhance durability and scratch resistance right from the start.
- The tempered glass layer acts as a shield, reducing impacts and safeguarding the screen from minor scratches caused by sharp objects.
2. Utilize a protective phone case:
- Install a shockproof phone case to provide comprehensive protection for the entire back of the phone.
- A phone case not only absorbs impact force but also minimizes scratches resulting from contact with hard surfaces.
3. Use a dedicated phone pouch or bag:
- Employ a dedicated phone pouch or bag for storage when the phone is not in use to add an extra layer of protection.
- This precaution prevents the phone from coming into contact with other items that could potentially cause scratches.
4. Regularly clean the screen:
- Clean the screen regularly to remove dust, dirt, and debris that may lead to scratches.
- Use a soft microfiber cloth or a screen-cleaning solution to keep the screen free from contaminants.
FAQs
Can you repair scratches on a phone screen?
Depth Matters:
- Very Light (Hairline): Some improvement might be possible with DIY methods.
- Deeper Scratches: Unlikely to be fully eliminated at home. Professional polishing or screen replacement might be necessary.
How does toothpaste remove scratches?
- Mild Abrasive: Non-gel toothpaste contains tiny abrasive particles that can slightly smooth out very minor surface scratches, making them less noticeable.
- Important: Toothpaste won’t magically erase scratches, and can be too abrasive for some screens.
Does an eraser remove scratches from the phone?
- Not Recommended: Erasers are generally too abrasive for phone screens and can worsen the damage. Stick to microfiber cloths for cleaning purposes.
How to remove scratches from glass?
- Home Remedies (Toothpaste, etc.): Only effective on the most minor of scratches.
- Scratch Removal Kits: Products specifically formulated for glass scratch removal might offer better results for light scratches.
- Professional Polishing: The most reliable option for deeper scratches, offered by specialized glass repair services.
