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Broken glasses? How to quickly fix glasses at home with everyday items

Maryal Miller Carter   Paste BN
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A loose screw or broken frame can be panic-inducing when you rely on glasses to see properly or to shield your eyes from the summer sun. Luckily, first aid for your specs is close at hand.

With everyday items like nail polish, dental floss, paper clips, toothpicks and more, you can easily perform temporary DIY repairs to keep your eyewear functional until you can have them fixed professionally. Even better, some of these quick fixes can help save you some cash and bypass the need for professional repairs or replacement frames entirely. Here are our favorite DIY solutions to quickly mend your glasses using surprising household items or very cheap purchases. 

Watch the video above to learn how to quickly fix glasses at home with everyday items.

How to fix broken glasses at home 

  • To tighten loose screws on your glasses, you can purchase a small, affordable screwdriver specifically designed for eyeglass repair online or at your local pharmacy. These tiny tools are conveniently portable, so you can keep them on hand wherever you go.
  • If your glasses have a loose hinge but you lack a tiny screwdriver, you can use the end of a paperclip to tighten the screw by gently turning it in the appropriate direction.
  • If the temple arm becomes loose or wobbly and you don't have a tiny screwdriver to keep the hinge secure, applying a small amount of clear nail polish to the hinge area can provide a temporary fix until you can get them properly adjusted.
  • If the hinge screw falls out and you don't have a replacement, you can thread dental floss through the screw hole and securely tie a knot to keep the temple arm in place until you’re able to have the glasses properly fixed.

How to fix glasses with super glue, tape, rubber bands, hot glue, toothpicks, and needle and thread

  • Super Glue: If your glasses' nose pads, arms or frames are loose or falling off, you can use a small dab of super glue to reattach them securely. Simply apply glue to the affected area, hold the pieces together firmly for a few minutes until the glue sets, and let it dry completely before using your glasses again. 
  • Tape: If your glasses' frame develops a small crack or a lens becomes slightly loose, you can use clear tape to hold the parts together temporarily. Wrap the tape around the affected area to stabilize it until you can get professional repairs.
  • Rubber Bands: If the hinge of your glasses becomes loose or separated, use a rubber band to hold the temple arms together. Wrap the rubber band around both sides of the hinge to keep the glasses functional until they can be properly fixed.
  • Hot Glue: For minor repairs like loose nose pads or a loose hinge, hot glue can be used as a temporary fix. Apply a small amount of hot glue to the affected area, making sure not to use too much to avoid damaging the glasses.
  • Toothpicks: If a screw becomes loose or falls out, you can insert a toothpick into the screw hole, break it off, and cut the excess. This will create a makeshift plug that can hold the hinge in place temporarily until you can find a replacement screw.
  • Needle and Thread: If the temple arm of your glasses breaks at the hinge, you can use a needle and thread to carefully sew the broken pieces back together. This can provide temporary stability until you can have the glasses professionally repaired.

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