How to Clean Headlights

One effective solution for making cloudy headlights clear again is something you reach for every morning. Cleaning headlights with toothpaste works as well as traditional car detailing supplies. It’s mildly abrasive, making it excellent for cleaning off the residue that makes the headlights dim. Set aside about five minutes per headlight when using this DIY headlight cleaning method.

What You'll Need

• Car wash soap

• Masking tape

• Disposable gloves

• Car washing cloths

• Toothpaste

• Car wax

• Clean your headlights thoroughly with soap from your regular car washing supplies. Allow them to air dry for a few minutes before you move to the next step.

• Cover the areas around your headlights with masking tape. This will protect your vehicle's paint and plastic parts from the mildly abrasive drying toothpaste.

• Wear disposable gloves and add a dab of toothpaste to a damp cleaning cloth. Rub each headlight firmly, adding toothpaste and small amounts of water as you go. Spend about five minutes on each light to obtain the desired effect.

• Rinse each headlight with clean water. Allow them to air dry before buffing each headlight with a second clean cloth.

• Apply a small amount of car wax to your headlights. This will protect them and keep them looking clear longer.

A cleaning solution of baking soda and vinegar is a great DIY option for cleaning foggy headlights. Household vinegar is effective in dissolving dirt, grease and debris. Vinegar as a cleaner is also environmentally friendly. This works best on oxidized or very cloudy headlights. Here’s how to clean foggy headlights using this method.

What You'll Need:

• Clean microfiber cloths

• Car wash soap

• Distilled white vinegar

• Box of baking soda

• Clean container

• Use a clean cloth to wash your headlights with car wash soap and water. Allow them to air dry for a few minutes before moving to the next step.

• Mix two parts distilled white vinegar and one part baking soda in a clean container. Stir or shake the mixture to combine.

• Dip one of the microfiber cleaning cloths in the mixture. Rub it onto each headlight, spending a few minutes on each one. Add more of the cleaning mixture as you go if needed.

• Rinse your headlights with clean water and allow them to air dry. Repeat the previous step if necessary, always rinsing your headlights after each application of the mixture.

Window cleaner or glass cleaner is effective when it comes to cleaning foggy headlights. You'll use the window cleaner to prepare the headlight surface for an application of car polish. As for preference, ammonia-free window cleaning products are just as effective as those with ammonia.

What You'll Need:

• Clean microfiber cloths

• Masking tape

• Disposable gloves

• Window cleaner

• Automotive polish

• Car buffer (optional)

• Car wax

• Bucket of water

• Apply masking tape to the areas around the headlights. This will protect the trim, paint and plastic parts during cleaning.

• Apply a generous amount of window cleaner to the headlight and let it soak in for a few seconds. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe the window cleaner from the headlight.

• Use another cloth to apply the polish and rub the surface of the headlight firmly in a circular manner. You can also use a rotary car buffer and polisher to apply the wax quickly and evenly.

• Rinse off any excess polish and dry the headlight with a fresh microfiber towel.

• Apply a coating of car wax to your clean and restored headlight to prevent future clouding.

Oxidation of headlights will develop the longer they are exposed to the elements. The headlights will become cloudy and hazy from years of exposure to UV rays from direct sunlight. Dirt, gravel, soil and sand, salt and other road residue also take a toll.

Here are a couple of steps you can take to ensure that your headlights maintain their visibility and operate safely every time you travel.

• Park your vehicle in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. If you use a residential parking lot, consider buying a protective cover for your vehicle.
• Focus on your headlights when you wash the rest of the car and use a microfiber cloth for drying.