If you have been driving for any amount of time, you have likely suffered from or witnessed the aggravation that stems from cloudy, foggy or hazy headlights.
Over time, the polycarbonate material that makes up most headlights can become damaged and scratched by flying debris or the UV rays of the sun will deteriorate the outer layers. The effect of this deterioration can have a significantly negative impact on visibility at night or in poor weather in addition to simply looking unsightly. There isn’t a real lot you can do to prevent this damage to your vehicle, but you can repair it with any of these three simple solutions.
Use toothpaste
Are the headlights on your vehicle starting to look a little hazy or getting cloudy? One of the easiest ways to clean your foggy headlights at home is to use toothpaste and a rag.
All you need to do is grab an extra tube of toothpaste — maybe you don’t like that gross peppermint flavor! — and apply it generously to your headlights. The mild abrasive properties of your toothpaste will help to scrub the damaged, deteriorated surface, giving your headlights a bright new shine.
Simply apply the toothpaste and rub it in with a rag, using small circular motions to improve the clarity of your headlights. It might take a little elbow grease, but it will do the trick.
Use baking soda and vinegar
Another tip you can use to clean foggy headlights is by applying a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Both baking soda and vinegar have been used for cleaning purposes for years.
Before you get started, use some dish soap to clean the surface of your headlights and then apply a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Mix the baking soda and vinegar in a small dish and then apply it in circular and side-to-side motions until your headlight is clean. You can also use baking soda and a damp cloth to clean hazy headlights.
Use bug spray
A third tip that you can use to clean up the foggy headlights on your vehicle is by using a little bug spray.
It makes sense that something strong enough to dissuade blood-sucking mosquitoes may have other uses. As it turns out, if you apply bug spray to foggy headlights and scrub away, it will help brighten up your headlights.
Be careful that you don’t use too much bug spray though, as it may damage the plastic.
