One of the most exciting reasons of having a smartphone is having a mobile phone that doubles as a camera. You get to take pictures and videos on the go, and capture memories that would last forever. The camera lens of your phone could get some scratches over it due to being placed on rough surfaces, inside pockets and bags, but we don’t want blurry memories, do we? If you agree, read on to know how to remove scratches from camera lens without having to leave your house.
Scratches on the camera lens range from minor and nearly invisible scratches to major webs that blur your entire lens and makes a mess of your pictures and videos. Here are some DIY ways to remove scratches from camera lens. Please read to the end of the article so you can carefully weigh the pros and cons (if any) of each method, and decide on how to remove scratches from the camera lens of your phone.
Use Alchohol on camera lens
If you are someone who keeps alcohol at home, you can use a bit of it to remove scratches from camera lens. Alcohol might have adverse effects on your camera lens so you are not to apply it directly on the lens.
- You will need a 3.5% solution of rubbing alcohol for this method, and you still have to dilute one part alcohol with 20 parts of water to make it mild.
- Slightly dampen a microfiber cloth or a clean cotton cloth with the alcohol solution
- Rub it gently over the lens repeatedly. You should notice the scratches clearing out.
- Dry it off with a dry part of the microfiber cloth.
This method works for both major and minor scratches but this is not something you should make a habit. It has been suggested that this method may cost you one layer of your camera lens coating, making it prone to scratches in the future so you really have to protect your lens afterwards so that you do not have a need to repeat it.
Use Vaseline to remove scatched Camera lenses
Your Vaseline is not only meant for moisturising your skin, it can remove small scratches from camera lens too and get them looking all clean. You can also use another petroleum-based product.
- Use a piece of clean cotton cloth to wipe the lens clean.
- Apply very little Vaseline on the surface of the lens, and use a clean microfiber cloth to gently rub it off till it is clear. Take care not to apply force while doing this and try to avoid the Vaseline getting into any other corner of the phone.
This method does not work 100% of the times except for minor scratches. For major scratches, the Vaseline can minimise the appearance of the scratch on the lens. It is a low risk solution with no harm caused to your device, but if it works for you, you may need to repeat it when the Vaseline eventually rubs off.
Use a pencil eraser
Don’t laugh out loud. This method actually works and it has literally no risk at all so feel free to give it a shot. What you need here is a soft eraser, not the coarse or abrasive ones. Ensure that the eraser has not been used before.
- Gently move the eraser in the long direction of the scratch on the camera lens. Keep doing this until the scratch wipes off. In cases of severe scratches, it may only minimise the appearance of the scratch.
- Use a soft microfiber cloth to wipe it off.
Use toothpaste
One of the most popular DIY solutions for getting rid of scratches on glasses, screens and even watches is toothpaste. Everyone has a toothpaste at home so it comes in handy.
- Get a cotton swab or cotton bud, and slightly dampen it. Please ensure that it is not dripping wet.
- Apply a tiny bit toothpaste and rub it on the scratch gently. Do not apply force so that you do not corrode your camera lens coating.
- Use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe it off gently.
Use Baking soda and Banana
You cannot talk about how to remove scratches from camera screen or camera lens without mentioning the famous baking soda. In this case, you will be using it with banana to wipe the screen. This is also a low risk solution, except that you might end up with a lens that smells like banana.
- Peel off one piece of banana and chop it into three equal parts.
- Pick up the middle part and dip into baking soda.
- Now rub it over the scratch repeatedly using a wipe motion. Do this for at least 2 minutes, changing the direction of the banana once the baking soda is gone off any part.
- Carefully and thoroughly clean the lens with a soft microfiber cloth.
- Please discard the banana when you are done with this.
Use screen polisher/scratch remover
Do you have a screen polisher or scratch remover at home? Like the name suggest, it can remove scratches from camera lens, and polish them new again. This is also a safe solution because it even gives your camera lens an extra layer of lens coating.
If you do not have any at home, you can go to the store to get a good car windscreen polishing products.
- Put a little polish on a flat surface
- use the tip of a soft microfiber cloth to pick up a bit, and rub along the scratch.
- Use a clean part of the microfiber cloth to wipe the screen clean.
Please ensure you are using a polish that has advanced formula nano-coating protection.
Use a scratch repair kit
This is not regularly available at home, but it is something you can give a shot if you have one around. They are usually designed for digital camera lens but they also work for phone camera lens since they serve the same purpose.
If you can lay hands on any one, simply follow the instructions on the pack. Ensure to use a soft microfiber cloth to finish the process though.
Prevention remains the cheapest way to go
If you have decided which method to use, go ahead and give it a shot and remember to be careful with your camera lens afterwards. As per how to prevent scratches on phone camera lens, a protective case could help keeping the back camera lens away from objects. And for the front camera lens, the screen protector has got you covered. You have no reason looking for how to clean phone camera lens inside because it is very unlikely that there would be any scratch on the inner part of your camera lens.
Do scratches on phone camera lens matter? of course they do. Why should you get a picture with a scratch on it, when it is possible to remove the scratch before taking the snapshot? Get on it quickly and remove those scratches from your camera lens.
