Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Using toothpaste (for plastic screens)
• Tips
• Warnings

With touchscreens and smartphones becoming the norm, scratched phones have never been such a common problem. This can be superficial damage or a broken screen, depending on how deep and how big the scratch is and where it is located. In case of severe scratches, you will usually have to have the screen replaced, but light and moderate scratches can be removed at home. To remove scratches from a phone screen, try brushing them away with toothpaste (if the screen is plastic) or glass polish (if the screen is glass). After the problem is resolved, take precautions to avoid new scratches.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Using toothpaste (for plastic screens)

1. Have toothpaste ready. You should have had toothpaste in the bathroom to be able to brush your teeth in the morning. Toothpaste is abrasive and can remove scratches in plastic in the same way it cleans your teeth. Everyone already has toothpaste at home, so you don't have to go to the store to buy one. That's why toothpaste is the recommended means of removing scratches from plastic. It is important to buy toothpaste that is actually paste form and not gel toothpaste. To be able to remove the scratch, the toothpaste must have an abrasive effect. Check the toothpaste packaging if you are not sure what kind of toothpaste you are using.
   • A mixture of baking soda and water is just as abrasive as toothpaste. If you prefer baking soda, you can add a little water to make a paste and use the paste in the same way as toothpaste.
2. Buy a glass polish with cerium oxide. If your phone has a glass instead of plastic screen, you will need to use a cleaner than toothpaste or baking soda to remove scratches. In this case it is recommended to use a glass polish with cerium oxide. This type of polish can be purchased in the form of a soluble powder and ready-to-use. Obviously, it is more convenient to buy a ready-to-use product, but it is a lot cheaper to buy powdered cerium oxide.
   • 100 grams of powdered cerium oxide should be more than enough to clean your phone screen. It might be a good idea to buy more in case you get more scratches on your screen later on.
3. Buy a screen protector. Cell phones have never been more fragile and sensitive to scratches than they are today. Many people have a screen protector on their screen, and it's a good idea to get one if you're even slightly concerned about your phone getting damaged. A screen protector is usually not too expensive and is certainly cheaper than replacing your screen or buying a new phone if the damage is bad enough. High-quality protectors are virtually indestructible, while cheaper brands at least absorb the damage so that your phone remains intact.
   • It is better to buy a screen protector made of tempered glass than one made of plastic. A tempered glass screen protector is more durable, makes your screen easier to read and feels better.
4. Keep your phone in a safe place. You will usually be out and about when your phone gets scratched or damaged. It is important to consider which objects can scratch your phone and how it can get scratched. Put your phone in a different pocket than your keys or coins. If possible, put it in a zip bag so it doesn't accidentally fall out.
   • Don't put your phone in your back pocket. Your phone can burst when you sit on it, but you can also experience nerve problems from the pressure placed on your butt.

Tips

• A lot of people have problems with their phone screen scratches and there are a lot of professionals who make their money fixing those problems. If the scratch is large or deep enough or you don't have time to fix it yourself, you can search the Internet for a cell phone repair shop near you. Be warned that some of these things can be quite expensive. So it is always best to try and fix the problem yourself.
• You should be able to tell if your screen is plastic or glass by the way the screen feels, but it's a good idea to look up information about the phone model you have (on the internet or in the user manual) so you know which remedy to use.
• There are now phones for sale with a screen that is "self-healing". The plastic in these phones will repair moderate scratches all by itself. If your phone gets scratched easily and you want to keep your phone looking its best, it's a good idea to check out a self-repairing phone when you go out and buy a new one.

Warnings

• If you choose to use a strong polish, you may also partially brush off the protective layer on the screen. This protective layer (like an oleophobic coating) is designed to reduce friction while using the phone and make it more comfortable to use. So keep that in mind and weigh the pros and cons before cleaning your screen.