How to Remove Scratches from Mirrors: 9 Best Ways

Has your mirror seen better days? Does it look like it’s beyond repair?

There is no need to throw it in the garbage yet.

Scroll down for 9 effortless ways you can use to remove anything from tiny cracks to deep gouges. 

How to Remove Scratches from a Mirror?

Here are 9 tricks that can help you restore your scratched mirror back to its glory days. 

Quick tip: Before trying out any of the methods described in this article, you must give the mirror surface a thorough cleaning with a soft, non-abrasive towel or cloth. Go with a microfiber cloth as rough materials (like kitchen towels and napkins) can further damage the mirror.

The mirror should also be completely dry before you apply any solution.

How to get rid of minor scratches?

1. Toothpaste

You might be surprised, but toothpaste is one of the best mirror scratch removers for  surface-level imperfections. As a soft abrasive, toothpaste will buff down the scratches making them less visible.

What you need: Toothpaste with fluoride (or baking soda), clean cloths 

How to do it: 

1. Remove the dirt from the scratched surface
2. Apply a pea-sized dollop of toothpaste on the scratch
3. Use the damp cloth to buff out scratches
4. Do this gently for about 30 seconds
5. Clean the excess toothpaste with another cloth 
6. Repeat the process until the scratch is no longer visible 

2. Baking Soda

Baking soda is another soft abrasive that can work wonders for glass shower doors, stains on furniture, and scratched mirrors. 

What you need: Baking soda, water, clean cloths

How to do it:

• Mix baking soda and water in a bowl with a spatula until you get a thick paste 
• Place a dollop of the paste on the scratch
• Using a damp cloth, spread out the mixture in a gentle, circular motion over the crack
• Let dry before wiping off the excess with a clean cloth

As with toothpaste, you can repeat the process as many times as needed

3. Metal polish

Also known as jewelry polish, this solution is quite practical when buffing out scratches on mirrors. This is because metal polish contains cerium oxide—a powerful abrasive used by jewelers to buff down rings and other pieces. 

What you need: Metal polish, clean microfiber cloths

How to do it:

1. Wrap the microfiber cloth around your finger and squeeze some of the polish on the cloth—put very little as applying a lot of the stuff can damage your mirror
2. Rub the polish on the scratch for a minute or 45 seconds
3. Once the scratch is gone, wipe the area with a damp cloth to remove any excess polish 

Do not apply metal polish on the scratch more than 3 times as this can damage the reflective surface of the mirror. 

4. Liquid pumice soap

Thanks to its mildly abrasive texture, this heavy-duty hand soap can eliminate minor scuffs on your mirror. 

What you need: liquid pumice soap (like Gojo 957 Natural), clean microfiber cloths

How to do it:

1. Apply soap on the microfiber cloth 
2. Buff down the scratch by rubbing it gently for a couple of minutes 
3. Wipe off the remaining soap with a clean cloth

To buff down deeper gouges, you might need to use a Dremel (combined with a polishing glass pad).

How to clean deep scratches from a mirror?

5. Nail polish

Clear nail polish is a great solution to fix a deeper crack. 

What you need: Nail polish, a clean cloth, nail polish remover 

How to do it:

1. Gently clean the dirt off the mirror 
2. Apply a thin coat of clear nail polish on the scratch 
3. Let it dry for around half an hour 
4. Apply another thin coat 
5. Using a cloth soaked in nail polish remover wipe off any excess nail polish around the sides of the crack 

You can then use other methods to buff down the scratch around the edges if it is still visible. The important thing is to be gentle when buffing out the scratch so as not to remove the nail polish in the gouge. 

6. Mustard vinegar paste

Here is an effective way to get rid of scratches on a mirror by using simple pantry staples.

What you need: Vinegar, mustard, clean wet cloth

How to do it: 

1. Take equal amounts of dry mustard powder and vinegar and mix it in a bowl
2. Put a thick layer of the paste on the scratch 
3. Let it sit for a few minutes
4. Use the wet cloth to buff the area around the scratch until it is clean

How to fix a scratched mirrorback?

A scratch on the mirror is not always caused by damage to the surface. When the reflective coating on the back side of the mirror is scratched, chipped, or starts to de-silver (from age or too much mixture), the mirror no longer has the shiny surface you see on the front and small scruffs and spots start to appear. 

Here are a few easy fixes you can try to fix a scratched mirror back. 

7. Aluminum foil 

This is a cheap fix that you can try with everyday household items. It won’t make the reflective surface as good as new, but it can help repair some of the damage. 

What you need: Aluminum foil, Scotch tape

How to do it:

1. Take out the mirror glass from the frame (there are several ways to do this depending on the type of mirror you have)
2. Put the mirror face down on the floor
3. Cut out enough aluminum foil to cover all the scratches on the back of the mirror
4. Place the foil on the scratch with the reflective side down
5. Tape the foil over the area with Scotch tape 
6. Buff out the edges with a wooden stick, spoon or spatula to remove any bubbles or wrinkles 
7. Put the mirror back in the frame or hang it back on the wall if it doesn’t come with a frame. 

8. Hobby paint pen

A hobby paint pen is a straightforward way to fix up a minor scratch. Plus it is easily found in most stores.

What you need: Touch-up pen with chrome mirror paint 

How to do it:

1. Remove the mirror from the frame 
2. Put it face down on the floor or table
3. Clean the area around the scratch and make sure it is dry 
4. Shake the pen well; otherwise, the paint might not stick
5. Color the scratch with the pen 
6. Let it dry and apply another layer of paint if needed

Once you are happy with your work, put the mirror back in its frame and hang it on the wall. 

9. Re-silvering kit

This is the most effective product when it comes to scratched mirror repair, but it is also the costliest on the list. Re-silvering kits can go up to $150 (which is often more than what you paid for the mirror). What’s more, these kits can contain toxic materials so they might not be the best idea for amateurs. 

What you need: Re-silvering kit, deionized water 

How to do it: 

1. Strip the protective coats on the back with a paint stripper (usually included in the kit). Wear safety gloves at all times.
2. Remove the silver coating with nitric acid (also included in the kit)
3. Clean the area with deionized water and a clean cloth.
4. Let it dry
5. Mix the coating chemicals in the sprayer as per the label instructions 
6. Spray the solution and let it dry 
7. Apply copper paint over the silver coating and let it dry completely 
8. Put backing paint on the back of the mirror
9. Once the final coat is dry, you can reattach the mirror back in the frame

How to remove scratches from bathroom mirrors?

Unlike regular mirrors, bathroom mirrors, whether they are classic vanity mirrors or modern pieces, are made of tempered glass, designed to handle all the humidity and moisture that bathrooms are regularly exposed to.

When it comes to removing scratches off bathroom mirrors, though, the process is no different than with regular mirrors. You can use any of the solutions described above and get your vanity mirror looking spick and span in no time. 

When to Call an Expert?

It might be hard to decide when to take the mirror in and get it fixed. Here are a few situations that call for the assistance of a glass repair service.

Cause 

If the scratch has been caused by physical damage to the mirror, such as impact from another household item, get it repaired by a professional glazier. These kinds of damages are usually beyond the scope of simple DIY solutions; what’s more, you could end up cutting or hurting yourself, so let the pros take care of it. 

Take a look at the depth of the scratch 

You can try a couple of home remedies to deal with minor scuffs and scratches. However, if the mirror has a deep gouge or the reflective coating appears to be severely damaged, take the mirror to a repair service near you. 

The size of the mirror

Size matters! A mirror can be as small as a foldable makeup mirror or big as a built-in vanity. If the size is too much to tackle on your own, taking it to a specialist might be a better idea. 

You tried everything else

You buffed with toothpaste and rubbed the scratch with metal polish, but the mark is still there? It’s time to call in the pros. 

Bottom Line 

There are a few methods you can try to fix scratches on your mirror, however, if you want perfection you might have to either hire a professional or invest in more expensive solutions. 

How much you’re willing to spend depends on the value of the mirror, both financially and sentimentally. If it is an item you are attached to or paid a lot of money for, using all methods at your disposal to get it fixed makes sense. 

On the other hand, if it’s something you picked up at the flea market and has no special meaning to you, it might be cheaper to just buy a new mirror.