It may sound too good to be true, but it's not. A simple home remedy using pharmaceutical-grade petroleum jelly can help make those annoying screen scratches nearly invisible.
Even the smallest scratches on your screen can drive you crazy, especially if you work with documents or spreadsheets on light backgrounds. While they don’t usually affect device functionality, they ruin the visual experience and distract the eye. And this applies to almost every device — monitors, laptops, and TVs. All it takes is moving a cable, dusting too aggressively, or an accidental bump with a USB stick.
But there’s a surprisingly effective fix: petroleum jelly, commonly found in any pharmacy. This isn’t magic — it’s physics. The jelly fills the micro-grooves, smoothing the sharp edges where light tends to reflect. Once applied, the scratches become far less visible — and in many cases, nearly undetectable.
✅ What You’ll Need
Besides the petroleum jelly, you probably already have everything at home. Here’s the full list:
- Pharmaceutical-grade petroleum jelly, unscented and additive-free.
- Soft microfiber cloth, preferably two (one for cleaning, one for finishing).
- Clean water to wipe down the screen.
- Cotton swab (optional, for small areas).
🛠️ Step-by-Step: How to Apply the Petroleum Jelly Trick
This method is quick and easy, but requires a delicate touch. You don’t want to smear the entire screen or press too hard. Here’s how to do it right:
1. Clean the screen
Dampen a microfiber cloth with clean water and gently wipe the area around the scratch. Make sure no dust or residue remains. This step is essential — petroleum jelly doesn’t stick to dirty or dusty surfaces.
2. Let it dry
Wait a few minutes until the screen is completely dry. This ensures maximum adhesion of the jelly to the scratch.
3. Apply the petroleum jelly
Use a cotton swab or your clean finger to dab a small amount of jelly directly onto the scratch. Use circular or crosswise motions, but don’t spread it beyond the affected area.
4. Wipe off the excess
Using a clean microfiber cloth, gently remove any extra jelly surrounding the scratch. Don't press hard — the idea is to leave the filler inside the scratch, not wipe it away.
5. Check the results
View the screen from various angles and against a light background. Done correctly, the scratch should be significantly less noticeable or even invisible.
⚠️ Important Notes
While this trick works well, it’s not a permanent solution. Over time, the petroleum jelly may wear off, especially if you frequently clean your screen. However, it only takes a few minutes to reapply, making it ideal for quick touch-ups.
It works best on fixed displays like TV screens, computer monitors, or non-touch laptops. Avoid using it on touchscreens — it can quickly wear off due to finger contact and potentially damage the oleophobic coating (the layer that resists fingerprints and oils).
Never use this trick on deep cracks or screens with broken seals. The jelly could seep inside the screen, leading to a greasy film inside the device. In such cases, the only solution would be a professional repair — or worse, replacing the screen entirely.
📌 Final Thoughts
If you're dealing with shallow, surface-level scratches and want a fast, no-cost way to improve your screen’s appearance, petroleum jelly is a great option. It doesn’t fix the underlying damage, but it does a surprisingly good job of camouflaging imperfections and restoring clarity. Just remember — less is more, and never overdo it.
This handy hack has gained popularity among tech enthusiasts and minimalists alike. With just a few materials and a couple of minutes, you can make your laptop, monitor, or TV screen look like new again.
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