Steps to Cleaning Headlights

Headlights are a super important safety feature on your car – whether it’s just driving at night, or in bad weather. Unfortunately just like anything else headlights can become dirty, dull and foggy which dulls the brightness and makes it less effective. These damages can occur from age, UV ray exposure or just damage from the elements.

                                          This post is sponsored by Akins Jeep Ram

If your lights aren’t as bright as they should be try these steps to clean your headlights:

LIQUID SOAP, BAKING SODA AND VINEGAR

With these three simple things, you can restore your headlights in just a few steps. Now if your headlights are gone-gone (yellowed, and really foggy) you might have to repeat these steps several times.
First clean the dust and dirt from the headlights with a microfiber cloth. Add 2 tablespoons of liquid soap to a bucket. Add enough water to thin the soap to more of a watery solution. Use a secondary microfiber cloth clean the headlight with the soap solution. What you’ll want to do is get the light as clean as possible before using the baking soda and vinegar mix. Rinse the soap off the headlights using a spray bottle of water and then towel dry the headlights.

Mix 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda with enough white vinegar to make a thick paste; using a dry cloth gently polish the headlamp with the paste. Rinse the paste off with a spray bottle of water and repeat until the lens is clean and clear.

HOW TO CLEAN HEADLIGHTS WITH TOOTHPASTE

Just like with the vinegar and baking soda, be sure to remove the dust and dirt with a clean cloth. Then spray the headlight with water using your spray bottle. Using an old toothbrush apply the toothpaste to the lens and gently scrub – be sure to use regular white toothpaste, not the gel. Rinse with water until toothpaste is gone and the headlight is clear!

HOW TO CLEAN HEADLIGHTS USING A HEADLIGHT RESTORATION KIT

These headlight restoration kits are a bit pricier than some vinegar, baking soda or toothpaste. But they can be very effective and safe for restoring headlights. Use them as directed, just apply the cleanser and rinse. It may also come with a waxing compound which helps protect from them from the light.