Cloudy headlights? They’re easier to clean than you think!

Headlights are a lifeline when drivers travel through fog or beneath the shroud of darkness. They illuminate the road, helping you avoid collisions and ensuring that other drivers can see you. Because these lights are essential to keeping you safe, they must be cleaned regularly. If you’ve noticed your headlights have been dimmer lately, it’s likely due to dirt, debris, and smudging reducing the beam’s strength. Fortunately, there are various ways to solve this problem quickly. Read our list of headlight cleaning options and choose which is best so you can make yours shiny again.  

Vinegar and baking soda 

Regarding DIY cleaning supplies, vinegar and baking soda are classic options. Vinegar, an acidic liquid, combines with basic baking soda and becomes an excellent cleaning agent. After mixing distilled white vinegar with baking soda, you can use a cloth to scrub your headlights. Rub the fabric for a few minutes until the headlights look clearer. After this, use clean water to rinse the mixture away. 

Toothpaste 

You may be surprised that standard cleaning supplies aren’t the only way to clear foggy headlights. Toothpaste is a rather unconventional tool that some use to wash their headlights. In this case, toothpaste shouldn’t be used on its own to provide a thorough cleaning. First, wash your headlights with a typical cleaning agent. Whether this is baking soda and vinegar or just soap and water, scrub your headlights down until they’re clean. Afterward, conceal part of your car, surrounding the headlights with masking tape. This should be done to protect the paint from toothpaste, sometimes used as a sanding tool. Next, add just a touch of toothpaste to a clean cloth. Rub each headlight gently, and rinse with water after dabbing with toothpaste for about five minutes. After the lights air dry, you can add some car wax. This process aims to keep the headlights cleaner for longer, so they don’t require cleaning as often. 

Window cleaner and car polish 

Window cleaner is a relatively cheap substance that can accomplish a lot. When giving your home a good spring cleaning, you probably use window cleaner in more than one room. It’s known for its ability to clean windows and mirrors, leaving behind smudge-free glass after it’s been sprayed. It can also rid surfaces of grease and shine up countertops. Additionally, it’s a surprisingly great option for clearing up foggy headlights. When using toothpaste, one should cover the surrounding areas in masking tape before using glass cleaner. Spray each headlight with a good amount of cleaner before allowing the cleaner to sit for a few seconds. After this, wipe it off and grab your car polish. Apply the polish by dabbing it on a cloth and rubbing it in circles before cleaning off extra polish residue and drying the headlights with another clean towel. Window cleaner will give your headlights a thorough wash, and car polish is a preventative measure that will make future clouding less likely, 

What causes headlights to get foggy? 

While you’re washing your headlights and cursing the inconvenience, you may start to wonder what’s led you to this moment. Headlight fogging is a common problem among car owners, and the reason it occurs can be scientifically explained. Oxidation, a chemical reaction that also causes rust, is often responsible for cloudy headlights. A coat of clear paint conceals headlights, but this wears away over time. Once it’s gone, the lights are exposed to UV light and will turn yellow due to oxidation.

For this reason, parking your car beneath shade when possible makes foggy headlights less likely. Dirt and debris can also collect on headlights, limiting their brightness and making them cloudy. When cloudy headlights do crop up, this problem isn’t the end of the world. Our handy guide to cleaning should help you out so you know how to fix the problem next time you have it. 

Shop Transwest 

Are you in the market for a new ride, but you’ve been disappointed by dealerships in the past? Try out Transwest and experience what good car shopping looks like. With a team of experts and a host of incredible vehicles for sale, we’re sure to deliver the quality you want. Explore our brand by browsing online inventory, or get an up-close look by visiting one of our locations.