With the passage of time, car headlights can become dull or yellowish and not many people know why this happens. Well, we have the answer in case you don’t know either why this happens. Headlights become dull because of the accumulation of dust, grease, insect debris, and dried water spots that stick to the surface.
Even though there are special products to give headlights the shine they lost, there’s a more affordable, effective, and homemade solution for this: white distilled vinegar. We know it might sound silly, but vinegar has many advantages and the best thing is that you don’t need any mechanics knowledge nor special tools. So, let’s see how white distilled vinegar works, shall we?
Why headlights get dull and lose their shine
Headlights are constantly exposed to the outside: the dust from the road, grease in the air, bugs that stick during driving, and water droplets that dry in the sun. All of this creates a dull layer on their surface which makes the light weaker and reduces visibility during night time.
When the light is weaker, driving becomes riskier. This is why keeping headlights clean is important for being safe while driving.
How to clean them with vinegar
You only need white distilled vinegar, a cloth, and a bit of common detergent. Now, let’s have a look at the process step by step:
- Heating vinegar: heat about a cup of white distilled vinegar, you can either use a pan or the microwave and heat the vinegar for a few minutes. Careful because it should boil, just heat.
- Pour the vinegar into a spray bottle: leave vinegar to cool slightly so you don’t burn yourself. Then, pour it into a spray bottle to apply it in a uniform way.
- Spray the vinegar on the headlights: spray the vinegar directly on the headlights, but never on the paint because the acidity could leave marks if left for too long.
- Let it sit for a few minutes: wait a few minutes so the vinegar can soften the dirt. During this time, the acetic acid begins to loosen the grease and residue.
- Wipe with a damp cloth and detergent: using a damp cloth with a bit of detergent, gently scrub the headlights. Continue until the surface looks clearer and brighter.
After this process, the headlights must be clean, transparent, and shiny.
Other homemade tricks
Apart from vinegar, there are other simple additional options to clean the headlights, such as:
- Baking powder and toothpaste: this combination forms a gentle abrasive mixture that helps remove yellowing from the plastic.
- Water and mild soap: ideal for frequent cleaning when there is only light dust.
- Coconut oil or liquid petroleum jelly: a thin layer can protect the headlights, preventing dryness and slowing dust buildup.
Using these methods on a regular basis can improve night vision and keep a nice aesthetic for your car. If you are not sure about any of these homemade tricks, try it first on a small surface (better if it is a no-visible spot) to make sure it won’t damage your car.
Basically
Believe it or not, cleaning car headlights doesn’t require expensive products or complex processes. White distilled vinegar is a very accessible and effective tool to recover the shine your headlights lost. So, you should use it very often to maintain your car in better conditions, both aesthetic and safety, in a simple and affordable way.
Would you have a go at any of the homemade tricks we told you? If you don’t try it, you will never know if it will properly work or not on your headlights.