It is an inevitable situation for car headlights to get cloudy with use. The lack of light illumination from the headlights is a situation most car owners solve by using a headlight cleaning kit or completely replacing the headlights. However, these solutions are not cost-effective, as lemon and baking soda for headlights are cheaper and more effective.
Using lemon and baking soda for headlights is a very effective and cost-efficient cleaning method. The baking soda and lemon have an abrasive and bleaching agent that works wonders on headlights. The gritty nature of baking soda scrubs away accumulated debris and oxidation; lemon whitens the glass.
This solution is very cheap and time-saving; in ten minutes of application, the headlights become as shiny as new. But, if there are cracks or the headlights do not illuminate properly, it is best to change the headlights. The lemon and baking soda solution works great, and this article will elaborate on how you can use this fantastic hack.
Baking Soda And Lemon For Headlights
A car headlight is an exterior part of a car that contains a plastic lens and an electric bulb. While the bulb is easy to replace, the headlight lenses are pretty tricky and expensive to replace (thus, it’s better to learn how to clean headlight lens).
The headlights illuminate the road ahead of the drive, making it very important always to shine brightly. However, after years under the sun and long miles of driving on all types of roads and weather, the plastic headlight lens tends to get foggy due to UV rays and dirt clogs (which you can fix by learning how to fix foggy headlights).
Restoring headlights to their brightest shiny may sound like a lot, but there is an excellent hack to getting it done. Baking soda and lemon is a simple and cheap way to clean a headlight. It has an abrasive and bleaching agent to get all the UV rays to stain and dirt out with only a ten-minute scrub.
You can use two methods for cleaning headlights with baking soda and lemon.
- The direct application method.
- The pre-mix application method.
Lemon And Baking Soda For Headlights: #1. Direct Application
This method involves using both baking soda and lemon directly on the headlights without mixing them before use. To clean the headlights instantly, follow the instructions below.
- Get a bowl and pour a little amount of baking soda into it.
- Cut the lemon into half and squeeze a bit to force the liquid onto the surface.
- Dip the lemon into the bowl of baking soda and gather/stick as much baking soda as possible.
- Apply the now coated lemon on the headlight in a gentle circular motion, and apply in a gentle scrub, so the debris scrubs off the headlight.
- Do the same to the second headlight and leave for about three minutes.
- Use clean water to rinse the headlights and dry with a towel.
This method is simple and faster because you only dip the lemon into the soda and scrub. However, it is also a bit messy as the soda-coated lemon can drip or splash onto your body or all over the floor. It is best to lay a covering on the floor to avoid splashes staining the floor, or you can clean up afterward.
Lemon And Baking Soda For Headlights: #2. The Pre-Mix Application Method
This method involves squeezing the lemon and baking soda into one place and stirring to get a paste before cleaning. To use this method, follow the instructions below.
- Cut the lemon and squeeze the juice into a bowl.
- Pour in a small quantity of baking soda into the owl, enough to make a paste, and stir.
- Rub the paste on the headlight in a circular motion and leave for five minutes.
- Using a microfiber towel, gently scrub the headlight and rinse with clean water.
- Dry out the water drops.
The pre-mix method is neater and does not risk messing up the cleaner and floor. But it takes extra time than the direct application method because the paste must stay a while before cleaning. The whole process of cleaning takes about ten minutes and saves them money and effort of buying a headlight cleaner.
After drying the water on the headlights, you can apply a coat of wax to the headlights to protect them from oxidation and UV rays. Using baking soda and lemon to clean headlights is a simple procedure with a maximum after effect; no need for a workforce or special knowledge to use it.
Headlight Cleaner
Even if every other car part is dirty, the headlights should always be clean. Headlights do not just beam the path for driving; it also allows motorists to see you. Clean full beaming headlights might be what will prevent an accident, making proper cleaning a necessity.
The most typical way to clean a headlight is by using a headlight cleaner. A headlight cleaner kit is available in any supermarket or car parts store at a not too costly price rate. The headlight cleaner kit includes some items you can buy in bits. To clean your headlights using a headlight cleaner, follow the instructions.
- Get some sandpapers (preferable 2000, 3000 grits), paste wax, polishing agent, and an ultraviolet sealant. Also, get a microfiber towel and painter’s tape.
- Wash the headlight and its surroundings correctly with water and car soap.
- Put the tape around the edges of the headlight to avoid sanding the trim paint of the car and ruining the car accidentally.
- Wet the headlight and sandpaper with little water and sand the lens. Use straight horizontal motion, and ensure the surface of the headlight is always wet while sanding.
- Using low abrasive sandpaper, sand the lens in an opposite motion, and avoid scratching the headlight lens deeply. Take your time while sanding to get a good job; using a water hose to wet the process is a perfect idea.
- Rinse the headlights and dry properly.
- Squeeze the polishing agent into a towel and rub it into the headlight for a polished look. Rub in circular motions to avoid getting the polish in different line patterns.
- Finally, wax the headlights to protect them from UV rays.
Clean Headlights
Clean headlights can never be an over-emphasis. It is imperative not to have anything compromising the driver’s ability to see. Headlights are a primary source of light in a car, especially at night; this makes it very important to have clean, shiny, and illuminating headlights.
A clean headlight is without a yellow cloudy, or hazy look and has its polycarbonate plastic intact without any degradation.
To maintain clean headlights, ensure that the car is not outdoors under the sun, rain, or any harsh weather for a long time. Oxidation and sun rays are the major nightmares of a new headlight. If the headlights get foggy, replace them or consider using a restoration or cleaning method. It is crucial always to check the headlight visibility and ensure that there is always a clear beam of light coming out. Replace damaged headlights to ensure proper lighting while driving.
Headlights are about the only source of outside light in a vehicle, yet it is easy to neglect despite being one of the most vital parts necessary for safe driving. Cleaning the headlights with a headlight cleaner is a more thorough way of restoring the lenses. It might take about 30 minutes to finish, but the after-shiny result makes it all worth it.
Foggy Headlights
The headlights of new cars are shiny and bright. But with time, dirt and grime accumulate due to pollution and rays from outdoor use. Headlights lenses consist of polycarbonate plastic.
Thou this plastic is durable, it also degrades with time. This degradation is usually due to ultraviolet rays, making the headlights easy to scratch and fade. The fading of the headlight results in a poor dim light illumination (foggy headlights).
Foggy headlights are a significant cause of road accidents. Drivers crash cars because of low visibility and hit an animal or human. Though the fogginess of the headlight might not be very visible, the quality of the beam it produces is evident. It is crucial to discern how bright the headlight illuminates and always clean routinely for maximum result.
While driving, nothing should impair the driver’s ability to see, hence the importance of a clean and well-illuminating headlight. At the mention of headlight maintenance, the first thing in mind is always a change of bulb, but cleaning the headlight oxidation is probably the most important.
Lemon And Baking Soda Alternative #1: Clean Headlights With WD40
WD-40 is a multi-purpose product that good for cleaning headlights. It is widely popular for headlight restoration and its anti-rust properties. The best aspect of using WD-40 for restoring headlights is that it can clean even painted metallic surfaces.
WD represents water displacement, and the 40 stands for the number of failed trials before success. The original purpose of the WD-40 product was to prevent rust in metals, but it is also very effective in clearing oxidation and grime on headlights.
Because of its abrasive nature, the combination of WD-40 and lubricant makes for an efficient headlight restorer. The product is always available in any car garage or hardware store for use and has a shimmering shine effect.
Cleaning headlights with WD-40 is very simple; it doesn’t involve many processes and will take only a few minutes. With the steps below, you will have an almost brand new shiny headlight.
- Use a towel to clean the headlights, wipe off any dirt on the headlight and leave a clean surface.
- Spray a good amount of WD-40 on a towel and use the towel to wipe the headlight generously.
- Do the same scrubbing for the other headlights.
- Wash the product’s residue with soap and water from the headlight and dry with a clean towel.
A simple process that gives maximum results is what the WD-40 product gives. Get one and give those headlights the shine they deserve.
Lemon And Baking Soda Alternative #2: Cleaning Headlights With Magic Eraser
Magic eraser is a multi-purpose product for cleaning and removing car paint. It has an abrasive nature, making it perfect for cleaning headlights.
Though the magic eraser can clean headlights, it might not do an excellent job in messy headlights and can scratch the car trims if you’re not careful. Nevertheless, the magic eraser is a wonderful means of cleaning headlights.
Using a magic eraser to clean headlights is also very simple.
- Wash the headlights with water.
- Get the eraser, wet it properly, and scrub the headlights with it. The abrasive nature will rub away the grime and dirt, leaving the headlight shiny.
- After scrubbing, wipe the headlights with a paper towel and apply wax.
Do not use soap to wash the headlights if you want to use a magic eraser, which will cause the headlight rubber to crack while scrubbing. Avoid scrubbing hard so you do not scrape or damage the headlight lens.
Lemon And Baking Soda Alternative #3: Cleaning Headlights With Toothpaste
Toothpaste is an excellent product for cleaning headlights. It is probably the simplest method of headlight restoration because toothpaste is a household item. Whenever you feel the headlights are foggy, you can bring out the toothpaste and scrub the lens clean.
Toothpaste became a headlight cleaning hack because it has a whitening agent and makes for an excellent soft abrasive. It does not need any unique process, nor does it take up a large amount of time. However, toothpaste use is not very practical for extremely foggy headlights because it might not remove all the dirt on the headlight lens.
The cleaning procedures are as follows.
- Wash the headlight with car soap and water, then wipe it dry.
- Tape off the headlight edges to avoid scratching the car trim with toothpaste.
- Spread the toothpaste lightly on the headlight and rub in circular motions.
- Use a towel to scrub the headlight with the toothpaste for a few minutes till the oxidation fades away.
- Rinse away all traces of toothpaste from the headlight and dry with a towel.
- Apply wax or a UV sealant on the headlights for future protection.
It is best to use toothpaste with grits in it for a better abrasive feel: some people use a soft toothbrush for a harder effect. The abrasion is what removes the oxidation on the headlight. Take time to scrub gently so the headlight shines.
Lemon And Baking Soda Alternative #4: Orange And Baking Soda To Clean Headlights
Using orange and baking soda to clean headlights recently came into light from a viral TikTok challenge. The basis is that the acidity in the orange and the abrasive and bleaching effect of baking soda removes oxidation on headlights. This hack is similar to lemon and baking soda and is currently generating a high positive response from users.
Using this straightforward method, cut the orange in half and dip it into the baking soda. Use the soda-coated orange to scrub the headlights gently for some minutes and rinse with water. Most users declare that the hack is very efficient, but since there is no side effect, you can try it and determine if it works for you too.
Homemade Headlight Cleaning
Although there are many headlight restoration products, nothing beats a homemade cleaning agent. Luckily, cleaning headlights have lots of homemade remedies, which are just as effective as the market cleaning products and cheaper.
Homemade headlight cleaning includes using toothpaste, lemon, baking soda, or even baking soda alone. These items are ready kitchen items that are always at hand for use. Get on those foggy headlights with any of these items and give them a good shine so your path can light up too.
Rubbing Compound For Headlights
Headlight compounds are market products specially made for cleaning headlights. They are gritty and perfect for scrubbing dirt and oxidation off headlights. Using rubbing compound on headlights is a very efficient way of restoration, but it is not less expensive than homemade hacks.
Pour the rubbing compound on a towel and rub a circular motion onto the headlight. After sanding, use a dry towel to clean the headlight surface and get the shiny nature of the headlight back again. Using rubbing compound is the best way to clean very foggy headlights properly. Most rubbing compounds come in kits and are sold at car garages and hardware stores.
Frequently Asked Questions On Lemon And Baking Soda For Headlights
How To Clean Headlights
You will need a headlight restoration kit, water, and towels to clean the headlights. First, wash the headlight with soap and water and dry, then apply the cleaning product onto the headlight and scrub gently for about five to ten minutes. Finally, rinse off the headlight, dry, and apply wax for protection.
How To Defog Headlights
The solution to defogging a headlight is the use of a gritty product. It can be baking soda, gritty toothpaste, or even a rubbing compound. Whatever product you use, homemade or aftermarket, the procedure is almost the same. Wash the surface of the headlight and dry, apply the abrasive product and scrub till the oxidation is gone; rinse and dry. Lastly, apply wax or polish for protection.
How To Clean Headlights At Home
You can clean headlights at home with regular home items like baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and toothpaste. It does not involve much, mix the baking soda and lemon or vinegar, scrub the headlight and rinse. The same goes for using toothpaste.
How To Clean Headlights With WD40
Use a dry towel to wipe the headlight surface and remove any dirt. Apply the WD-40 to a towel and gently scrub the headlights in a circular motion. Rinse the headlights, dry, and apply wax on its surface.
How To Polish Headlights
You can polish headlights with a car polish market product. Put the polish on a towel and apply it to the headlight in a specific motion pattern after cleaning and scrubbing the headlight. Most polish wax products help protect the headlight from Ultraviolet rays.
How To Clean Headlights With Vinegar
Vinegar is excellent for cleaning headlights. Make a mixture of the vinegar with water and spray on the headlights. Spray in generous quantity to cover all parts of the headlight and allow for some minutes to soak. Using a microfiber cloth or towel, wipe the headlight clean and dry. Vinegar has a whitening effect on the lens, making it perfect for cleaning headlights.
How To Make Fog With Baking Soda
Mix about six tablespoons of baking soda with warm water in a bowl and mix into a paste. Clean the headlights generally with water and soap, and dry clean. Put the paste on the headlight and scrub with a towel or soft sponge. Rinse after scrubbing and apply wax.
What To Use To Clean Headlights
You can use a market headlight restoration kit or homemade remedies to clean headlights. The restoration kit includes all items necessary for cleaning the headlight, like towels, a compound, and sandpapers. The home remedy involves using baking soda, vinegar, toothpaste, and lemon to clean headlights. Any of the two works well, and its use depends on the headlight’s fogginess level.
Why Do Headlights Get Foggy
Headlights lenses consist of polycarbonate. Frequent exposure to air and sunlight can cause the polycarbonate to develop microscopic cracks (oxidation). Oxidation shows cloudiness in the headlights. UV rays cause the oxidation of headlights and make them foggy.
How To Clean Headlights With Coca Cola
Wipe the headlight or wash and dry with water and soap for a clean surface. Spray or put some coca-cola onto the headlight but be careful not to stain the car paint. Allow the coca-cola to soak for ten minutes and wipe clean thoroughly with a towel. If there are residues, wash with soap and dry properly.
Do Headlight Restoration Kits Work
Headlight restoration kits work very well. They help you remove the foggy cloudiness in the headlights through the sanding procedure. The headlight restoration kit includes sandpaper, compound, polish, wax, and UV ray protection wax. Bright illuminating headlights are a necessity, and the use of headlight restoration is a fantastic do it your self project. You will not just enjoy it but also see its good after effect.
Conclusion On Lemon And Baking Soda For Headlights
Foggy headlights are due to long outdoor exposure to natural elements like sun, pollution, and air. However, a simple procedure of lemon and baking soda for headlights will restore them to an almost new shine.
Get these items out of your kitchen and get on those headlights, and if the headlight has a crack or broken, consider replacing it entirely. Reasonable care of a car headlight can help prevent far car crashes at night.
2 comments
Nice tip. It help me a lot. Driving will be effected if headlights aren’t cleaned. And I tried simple car maintenance, it doesn’t effect.
Thank you for sharing your positive experience with using lemon and baking soda for cleaning headlights, Jessica. It’s great to hear that this tip helped you a lot. Indeed, maintaining clean headlights is essential for safe driving, as it ensures maximum visibility on the road, especially during nighttime or adverse weather conditions.
Simple car maintenance, like cleaning headlights, can make a significant difference in your overall driving experience and safety. Regularly cleaning and maintaining various aspects of your car, such as headlights, tires, and windows, not only enhances the vehicle’s appearance but also contributes to its optimal performance and longevity.
By incorporating these simple maintenance practices into your routine, you’re taking proactive steps to ensure a safe and enjoyable driving experience. Whether it’s cleaning headlights, checking tire pressure, or changing the oil regularly, each small task contributes to the overall well-being of your vehicle. Moreover, it can save you from potential hassles and costly repairs in the long run.
So, keep up the good work with your car maintenance routine, and don’t hesitate to explore other helpful tips for keeping your vehicle in top shape. Safe travels!