Clean your headlights with toothpaste

So you're driving around super late at night in the middle of Nowhere, NM - and you realize you can't see a THING.

And you and your significant other talk about cleaning the headlights, or getting new bulbs, or something. But the store bought kits cost way more than you can afford because you just spent all your money on a cross-country move. And then one of the lights goes out and you replace it, and it doesn't make much of a difference.

So what do you do? Google it, and then wind up cleaning them with toothpaste.

I have to admit I didn't know if this would work, but I am pleasantly surprised.

When I go to pick up the boy at work tonight I will SEE ALL THE THINGS!

Step 1: What you'll need:

• regular ol' toothpaste
• old towels or rags
• water for rinsing
• a pair of filthy headlights

I'm using old bar mop towels and Arm & Hammer toothpaste. We bought it to actually clean our mouths, but it is the worst thing I've ever put in my mouth. Hooray for reuse!

Or, you could try any of these amazing things with it.

Comments

[kretzlord]

wonderful re-use here. I was wondering, how long does the clarity last? The commercial products generally have a "sealer" or "finisher" that seems to add a shine and supposedly keeps the lens clear for a longer time. Any ideas on this, or a diy version of the sealer?

[GreyWarden]

You can probably try a clear coat spray paint

[GreyWarden]

nice dude! I live in the middle of nowhere NM! My right headlight is like that lol.

[Takelababy]

First thing in the morning....... thanks

[sa2nz]

Thank you

[timwikander]

First attempt. Not too bad. I think I may need to do this 3 or 4 times haha. I live in bug country Maryland and I think I've got a few layers to go through.

[Lord Sinroyal]

This is exactly what I needed!! Cheap and effective. The best combination.

[eoverton]

Actually, this is a fairly old trick among auto restorers, who are frequently faced with the problem of scratched plastic on things like instrument clusters. Here again, toothpaste is the solution.

While you're at it, newspaper is actually good stuff to clean auto glass.

And dipping aluminum foil in Coca-Cola and rubbing it on rust spots on a bumper will remove them. Actually, Coca-Cola is also great at removing oil stains from concrete. Something to consider if you need one more reason to kick your soda habit...

[scoochmaroo]

Sounds like you have more than one Instructable up your sleeve! You should post them!

[eoverton]

Hint taken. Next time I do any work on any of the cars around here, I'll take a notebook and a camera and get to work... ;-)

[omnibot]

I agree with scoochamaroo :)

[scoochmaroo]

Yay!

[BonFire_Blue]

Toothpaste is so awesome. I use it to clean jewelry too.

[onemoroni1]

This is a great idea. I use "soft scrub", but will try this too.

[kd7eir]

Exactly my kind of information! Keep up the good work.

[straycatmeow]

Ok, did you remove the headlights and clean them or did you just clean them while on the car?
My grandpa's car can seriously use this done..Thanks for the tip, going to do this to his car and my truck today

[jessyratfink]

Just cleaned them while they were on the car. :)

It's so nice to see at night again!

[CementTruck]

Nowhere, NM? Is that somewhere between T or C and Tucumcari?

[porcupinemamma]

Neat-0-keen-0

[Aron313]

Dude!!!!!! This is exactly what i have been telling my friends! I tell them all the time that toothpaste cleans up scratches an tough dirt!

Great Instructable!