Fix Phone Scratches at Home: 5 DIY Techniques

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TL;DR: These five tips will help you fix phone scratches at home yourself so you can skip the pricey pros.

It's safe to say many of us here love technology, and we all certainly love our phones. However, our phones are constantly at risk for damage. Whether it’s from the car keys in your pocket or an accidental drop or slip, they are bound to be victims of scratches and scuffs.

Before you bring it to a pro to fix it, which could hit your wallet hard, there are some home hacks you can try that could help you avoid the pros altogether. Mashable has put together some great tips, and we have some of our own as well.

Here are our five favorite remedies for rescuing phones from minor scratches. Before starting, turn the power off and seal the ports with something like painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

1. Toothpaste

Your bathroom may hold the key to fixing minor marks on your phone’s screen. It's important to note that the gel-based kind won't work! You will need to use a paste-based toothpaste. 

As Mashable and others suggest, add a very small amount of toothpaste to the end of a swab or soft cloth. Use light circular motions on the screen in the affected area until you see the scratches diminish. When you're done, wipe the screen with a mildly damp cloth to remove any residual paste.

2. Screen Protector

Although screen protectors do not remove scratches, they can help hide light scratches and prevent further damage. Screen protectors are typically made of thin plastic or tempered glass and can add an extra layer of protection to your phone screen so your heart won't drop every time it slips out of your hand.

3. Pencil Eraser

You'll need to clean off your screen first to avoid rubbing dirt or dust into the light scratches. You can use a standalone white pencil eraser or one of the ones that's attached to a pencil. Either one should work fine as long as it's clean and unused.

Gently rub the clean pencil eraser on the screen from left to right for around a minute. When finished, use a clean, soft cloth to wipe the screen clean.

4. Baking Soda

Turn to your kitchen for this one (hey, grab a snack while you're there). All you need is a small amount of this baking essential and water to try your hand at fixing your phone yourself. Mashable talks about this hack, too, as it's an oldie but a goodie.

Mix a small amount of baking soda with the water to create a paste. Apply the paste to the scratched area and gently rub it in with a soft cloth or swab. Rinse the screen with a slightly damp cloth and dry it thoroughly.

5. Magic Erasers

The good-old Magic Eraser has significantly changed the world of cleaning almost everything in the 20+ years it's been on the market. From shoes to household items, this modern cleaning sponge from Mr. Clean has also been known to help with phone scratches, as seen on Mashable's list. However, the smooth look of the white sponge can be moderately abrasive, so please use caution and check how your phone is holding up consistently while using it.

If you'd like to avoid scratches altogether and get a battery boost, feel free to check out the 10,000mAh max battery case for iPhone 13, which is on sale for just $55 (reg. $64), or an Otterbox Defender Series screenless case for iPhone 13 Pro edition for $30.

Here are some other ways to protect and support your phone while you're busy living your life:

• U-Rise Foldable Aluminum Desktop Phone Stand: $15
• Mounted Shield Waterproof Bike Phone Mount: $30
• Home Streaming Studio with Ring Light and Gooseneck Phone Holder: $20
• 360-Degree Mini Magnetic Phone Mount: $15

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