Does Baking Soda Clean Headlights? Keep This in Mind

Baking soda is one of the best household cleaning products for seemingly unlimited projects. However, many people want to know if they can use this abrasive powder to get rid of yellow, dull, or discolored headlight debris.

Baking soda cleans headlights by using small abrasive granules to remove surface debris. It can brighten and clarify old headlights, though it won’t get rid of deep scratches. Mix one tablespoon of baking soda with one tablespoon of white vinegar, then scrub it on the headlights to clean them.

Throughout this article, you’ll learn how to clean your car’s headlights with baking soda, whether or not it can worsen the damage, and what ingredients will help clarify your vehicle’s headlights.

How to Clean Car Headlights With Baking Soda

To clean car headlights with baking soda, try this method:

1. Mix one tablespoon of baking soda with one tablespoon of white vinegar. Stir it into a paste. If it’s too liquidy, add more baking soda. If it’s too dry and powdery, add more white vinegar. The solution will fizz and bubble for a little bit, but this is to be expected.
2. Use an abrasive sponge to apply the solution to the headlights in circular motions. You can use the green side of a regular kitchen sponge. Another option is to use a toothbrush or a similar soft bristle brush to scrub the baking soda solution onto the headlights.
3. Repeat the process until the headlights return to their original condition (or as close as possible). It’s almost impossible to restore severely scratched headlights. The discoloration and bluriness are caused by scratches and scuff marks, both of which baking soda can’t remove.
4. Use a soft cloth or towel to remove the excess baking soda residue. Don’t let the residue dry on the headlights. It’ll get sticky and foggy, making your headlights look far too cloudy. You can do this method before washing you entire vehicle since you’ll likely use water to remove the solution.

Make sure you don’t get any of the baking soda cleaning solution on the windows. If you want to clean your car’s windows, try Windex.

Review this helpful video guide to learn how to wash your headlights with baking soda:

Will Baking Soda and Toothpaste Clean Headlights?

Baking soda and toothpaste will clean headlights because they’re both clean, abrasive, and gentle enough not to scuff the glass. You can use either solution or both of them back to back. Scrub baking soda on the headlights, wash it off, then do the same with toothpaste.

Insider recommends scrubbing your headlights with toopaste because it can level the scuff marks. However, this tip doesn’t work if your headlights are cracked. You’ll need epoxies and resins to fill the cracks in your car’s headlights.

Keep these tips in mind when cleaning your headlights with baking soda, toothpaste, and similar abrasive at-home remedies:

• Try a small spot treatment to see how the ingredient reacts with your car’s headlights before scrubbing the entire surface.
• Don’t use toothpaste that’s loaded with harsh chemicals and artificial dyes because they can harm your headlights.
• It’s always best to clean the headlights with a glass cleaner and water before using baking soda to remove the surface debris.
• Never use steel wool to scrub baking soda into your headlights because it will scratch them right away.
• Don’t use toothpaste or baking soda to clean cracked headlights because there’s a chance the solution will leak into the headlights and damage the lamp.

Once you’re done cleaning your headlights with baking soda, lemon juice, or toothpaste, it’s time to clean the interior. I suggest using car cleaning gel to remove debris from the vents, cup holders, and other small spaces around your vehicle. You can also use it to remove dust and dirt on the headlights.

Can Baking Soda Damage Your Headlights?

Baking soda can’t damage your headlights if you mix it with vinegar or water. However, baking soda can damage your headlights if you scrub the dry powder on the glass with steel wool and other abrasive materials. Always mix the baking soda with liquid before scrubbing the headlights and taillights.

Using baking soda is a surefire way to remove all sorts of buildup from your headlights, rims, battery terminals, and many other parts of your car. It’s relatively neutral and doesn’t damage anything if you know how to use it.

If you’re worried about scratching the fabric, steering wheel, or glove box with baking soda, I suggest cleaning your car with baby wipes. They’re gentle and soft, which means they won’t deteriorate anything in the vehicle.

So, when can’t you clean your headlights with baking soda?

• If there’s a large crack or the headlight glass is too discolored, you’ll need to get a new one.
• Baking soda won’t work on your headlight bulbs because they’re too fragile.
• Don’t use baking soda to clean your headlights if there are additional ingredients.
• I advise against cleaning your headlights with dry baking soda because it’s a bit too abrasive; add white vinegar if possible.
• Don’t clean your car’s headlights with expired baking soda (if it’s clumpy and too dry, it’ll scratch the headlights).

Remember, you can use expired baking soda on your car’s headlights if it’s powdery and doesn’t feel like rocks. Baking soda might go bad for cooking purposes, but it lasts a lot longer for cleaning purposes. Store the baking soda in a dry, room-temperature location to prevent it from going bad or getting too wet.

Final Thoughts

There are countless supposed cleaning miracles on the market, but you don’t need to reach far from your cleaning supply basket to find a way to get rid of your car’s headlight discoloration. Baking soda is perhaps the most effective at-home solution for headlight dirtiness.

However, there are a few other cleaning supplies under the sink that you can use for your vehicle. For example, did you know you can use dish soap to clean car seats? It’s a quick and simple process that’s worth a try.