We tried the car hack of cleaning car headlights with toothpaste to see if it worked
The myth that toothpaste can clean your car's headlights has circulated the internet for years, but does it actually work? We decided to give it a shot.Headlight cleaning kits are cheap: a decent one will usually set you back between $30 and $50. But if you’re operating on a lean budget, there’s an even cheaper DIY alternative.
Before you give this hack a try, check out your headlights. If they feel pitted on the outside, this technique should* work. If they’re smooth on the outside, it usually means the dirt is on the inside so this method won’t work – and it flat out won’t work on glass headlights. Toothpaste is nowhere near abrasive enough to be effective on glass.
To prepare for this task, you’ll need to raid your bathroom cabinet and kitchen cupboard for a tube of toothpaste, a spare/old toothbrush, a spray bottle, a roll of paper towel and some cleaning cloths.
Give your toothpaste a feel. If it’s not gritty, it’s not going to do anything except make a mess. It’s the grit that works to scrub away grime, so mix a tablespoon or two of baking soda into the non-gritty toothpaste to increase its abrasiveness.
Step 1
Apply between one-third and half a tube of toothpaste to the headlight, and then use your hands to spread it all over.
Step 2
Use small, circular motions to scrub the headlight – and make sure to avoid contact with the duco. You don’t want to scratch it!
Step 3
When your cloth looks dank, it’s a sign that it’s time to stop (it’ll be covered in toothpaste and filth). Use paper towel to wipe off the toothpaste from the headlight, and then rinse off any residue with water (this is where the spray bottle comes in). You’ll need to give the headlight another wipe at this point.
Step 4
Have a look at your headlight. It may look a bit cleaner and clearer. If you’re determined to see results, repeat the previous steps. If, like us, you’re pooped after the first round and don’t see a big improvement, give up and go do something (anything!) else with the rest of your day.
The verdict
Meh. Unless you have heaps of time on your hands and nothing better to do, don’t bother. Seriously, don’t even. This took an hour and the results don’t really justify the effort. Fork out $30 for a proper cleaning kit and use that instead. It’ll be a lot quicker and, unlike this method, it’s safe to say it’ll actually get the job done.
*Should, but didn’t. At least not on a circa-2002 Holden Astra.
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