Clean Headlights with Lemon and Baking Soda: A Simple Hack

Clean Headlights with Lemon and Baking Soda: A Simple Hack

Maintaining a clean car is important, but headlights often get overlooked. Whether your car is new or old, headlights can accumulate dirt, grime, and even yellow over time. While professional cleaning services and restoration kits are available, a simple and cost-effective solution might be hiding in your pantry: lemon and baking soda. This article explores a popular hack for cleaning headlights using these two common household items.

The Lemon and Baking Soda Headlight Cleaning Hack

This simple cleaning method recently gained popularity thanks to a TikTok video by Christina Nomura (@christinanomura). The process involves using the acidity of lemon and the mild abrasiveness of baking soda to lift dirt and grime from headlight lenses.

How to Clean Your Headlights

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to clean your headlights using lemon and baking soda:

  1. Prepare the Lemon: Cut a fresh lemon in half.
  2. Gather Supplies: Take the lemon halves and a box of baking soda to your car. It’s recommended to do this outdoors to avoid making a mess.
  3. Apply Baking Soda: Generously sprinkle baking soda onto the cut surface of one lemon half. You might notice some fizzing as the baking soda reacts with the lemon juice.
  4. Scrub the Headlight: Gently scrub the headlight lens in a circular motion using the baking soda-coated lemon half.
  5. Rinse and Dry: Thoroughly rinse the headlight with water to remove the lemon and baking soda residue. Dry the lens with a soft, clean towel.
  6. Repeat: Repeat steps 3-5 for the other headlight, using the other lemon half and adding more baking soda as needed.

Does it Really Work? A Real-World Test

Lemon And Baking Soda Car Headlight Cleaning Hack Cianna Garrison For Family Handyman Front of CarLemon And Baking Soda Car Headlight Cleaning Hack Cianna Garrison For Family Handyman Front of Car

To assess the effectiveness of this hack, we tested it on a 2017 Toyota Corolla with moderately dirty headlights. While not heavily soiled, the lenses had a noticeable layer of dirt and grime.

The application of baking soda to the lemon did not feel overly abrasive, alleviating concerns about scratching the plastic lens. Each headlight was cleaned for approximately five minutes. After rinsing and drying, the results were impressive. The headlights were significantly cleaner, with the plastic lenses appearing almost new.

Lemon And Baking Soda Car Headlight Cleaning Hack Cianna Garrison For Family Handyman TestLemon And Baking Soda Car Headlight Cleaning Hack Cianna Garrison For Family Handyman Test

Important Considerations and Alternatives

While effective for moderate dirt, this method might not be sufficient for heavily soiled or yellowed headlights. Consistent use of baking soda on plastic lenses could potentially damage them over time. Therefore, this cleaning method should be used sparingly. Always scrub gently to avoid scratching.

For heavily soiled or yellowed headlights, consider professional cleaning or a headlight restoration kit. Alternatively, toothpaste is another common household item that can be used to clean headlights.

Conclusion: A Quick and Easy Headlight Cleaning Solution

Cleaning headlights with lemon and baking soda is a quick, easy, and affordable way to maintain the clarity of your car’s headlights. This simple hack is effective for removing light to moderate dirt and grime. While it may not be a solution for severely damaged or yellowed headlights, it’s a valuable tool for regular maintenance. Remember to use caution, scrub gently, and consider alternative methods for more serious cleaning needs. For a sparkling clean car, don’t forget your headlights!