How to Clean Headlights: 4 Simple Methods to Restore Foggy Headlights at Home

Baking soda and vinegar create a powerful cleaning mixture that removes dirt and yellowing from headlight lenses. This natural method is safe for most headlight types and costs very little to try at home.

What You Need:

- Baking soda

- White vinegar

- Small mixing bowl

- Microfiber cloth

- Dish soap

- Masking tape

- Clean water

- Soft towel

Instructions:

Step 1: Clean the headlight surface with soap and water. Use a soft cloth to remove all dirt, bugs, and grime from the headlight lens. Let the headlight dry completely before moving to the next step.

Step 2: Apply masking tape around each headlight. This protects your car's paint from the cleaning mixture. Make sure the tape covers all painted areas near the headlights.

Step 3: Mix 2 parts white vinegar with 1 part baking soda in a small bowl. The mixture will fizz when you combine these ingredients. This fizzing action helps break down the yellow coating on your headlights.

Step 4: Apply the mixture to a microfiber cloth and rub it on the headlight lens. Use circular motions and apply gentle pressure. Work while the mixture is still fizzing for the best results.

Step 5: Scrub the entire headlight surface for about 5 minutes. Add more mixture to your cloth as needed. The yellow or cloudy appearance should start to disappear as you work.

Step 6: Rinse the headlight with clean water and dry with a soft towel. Remove the masking tape and check your results. Repeat the process if some yellowing remains.

Toothpaste contains mild abrasives that work well for cleaning foggy headlights. This method is popular because most people already have toothpaste at home, making it a convenient option for headlight restoration.

What You Need:

- Gritty toothpaste (preferably with baking soda)

- Microfiber cloth

- Dish soap

- Warm water

- Painter's tape

- Car wax

- Clean towel

Instructions:

Step 1: Wash the headlights with dish soap and warm water. Remove all surface dirt and allow the headlights to air dry completely. This creates a clean surface for the toothpaste to work on.

Step 2: Cover the areas around your headlights with painter's tape. This prevents the toothpaste from scratching your car's paint during the cleaning process.

Step 3: Apply a small amount of gritty toothpaste to a damp microfiber cloth. Choose toothpaste with baking soda for better results. Avoid gel toothpaste because it does not contain enough abrasive ingredients.

Step 4: Rub the toothpaste on the headlight lens using circular motions. Apply firm pressure as you work the toothpaste into the plastic surface. The abrasive action removes the oxidized layer.

Step 5: Continue scrubbing for about 5 minutes per headlight. Add more toothpaste as needed to cover the entire lens surface. You should see the yellowing start to fade away.

Step 6: Rinse each headlight with warm water and dry with a clean cloth. Apply a thin layer of car wax to protect the headlight from future damage. Remove the tape when finished.

Sandpaper removes deep yellowing and scratches from headlight lenses through careful sanding. This method requires more skill but produces excellent results for severely damaged headlights that other methods cannot fix.

What You Need:

- 1500-grit sandpaper

- 2500-grit sandpaper

- Dish soap

- Clean water

- Masking tape

- Microfiber cloths

- Headlight polish

- UV protective coating

Instructions:

Step 1: Clean the headlights thoroughly with soap and water, then dry completely. Apply masking tape around each headlight to protect your car's paint from accidental scratches during sanding.

Step 2: Wet both the headlight surface and your sandpaper with clean water. Start with 1500-grit sandpaper, which removes the damaged outer layer without creating deep scratches.

Step 3: Sand the headlight in straight horizontal lines across the entire surface. Keep both the sandpaper and headlight wet throughout this process. Do not change direction with this first grit level.

Step 4: Rinse the headlight and switch to 2500-grit sandpaper for the final sanding step. Sand in vertical lines, perpendicular to your first sanding direction. This creates a smooth, even surface.

Step 5: Clean the headlight with water and dry completely. The lens may look cloudy at this point, which is normal after sanding.

Step 6: Apply headlight polish with a microfiber cloth using circular motions. Work the polish into the lens for several minutes until it becomes clear and shiny. Apply a UV protective coating to prevent future yellowing.

Commercial headlight restorers contain special compounds designed specifically for cleaning automotive headlights. These products often provide longer-lasting results than household cleaning methods and require less physical effort to use.

What You Need:

- Commercial headlight restorer

- Microfiber cloths

- Glass cleaner or soapy water

- Masking tape

- Clean towel

- Cordless drill with microfiber pad (optional)

Instructions:

Step 1: Wash the headlight lenses with glass cleaner or soapy water. Dry the surface with a clean microfiber towel and apply masking tape around each headlight to protect the surrounding paint.

Step 2: Apply 3 to 6 dots of headlight restorer to a clean microfiber cloth. Some products work better when applied to a cordless drill with a microfiber pad attachment for easier application.

Step 3: Work the restorer into the headlight lens using firm pressure and circular motions. The micro-abrasives in the product will remove the oxidized layer and restore clarity to the plastic.

Step 4: Continue rubbing until the product turns clear on the headlight surface. This usually takes about 5 minutes of steady work per headlight, depending on how damaged the lens is.

Step 5: Wipe away all residue with a clean microfiber towel. Inspect the headlight for any remaining yellow or cloudy areas that need additional treatment.

Step 6: Repeat the process if necessary until both headlights are completely clear. The built-in wax sealant in most restorers provides UV protection to help prevent future yellowing.

Understanding what makes headlights become foggy helps you prevent this problem from happening again. Several factors contribute to headlight deterioration over time.

- UV Ray Damage: Sunlight contains ultraviolet rays that break down the plastic material in headlight lenses. Over time, this exposure causes the plastic to become yellow and cloudy. The outer layer of the headlight degrades and starts absorbing blue light from the bulbs, which makes the light appear yellow instead of white.

- Road Debris Impact: Small rocks, sand, and other road debris hit your headlights while driving. These impacts create tiny scratches and chips in the protective coating. Once the coating is damaged, dirt and moisture can get into these small openings and cause further deterioration.

- Age and Weather Exposure: Headlights naturally wear out over time due to constant exposure to different weather conditions. Rain, snow, heat, and cold all affect the plastic material. Older headlights are more likely to develop fogging and yellowing problems.

- Poor Ventilation: Some headlights have ventilation holes that can become blocked with dirt or debris. When these holes are clogged, moisture builds up inside the headlight housing. This trapped moisture creates condensation that makes the headlight appear foggy from the inside.

- Chemical Contamination: Harsh chemicals from road salt, cleaning products, or automotive fluids can damage headlight lenses. These chemicals can react with the plastic and cause discoloration or cloudiness that is difficult to remove with normal cleaning.

Regular maintenance prevents headlight fogging and keeps your car looking its best. These simple practices will help your headlights stay clear for many years.

- Park in Shade When Possible: Direct sunlight accelerates headlight yellowing through UV damage. Try to park your car in a garage, under a carport, or in shaded areas whenever you can. If you must park in the sun, consider using a car cover to protect your headlights and paint.

- Clean Headlights Regularly: Wash your headlights every time you wash your car using mild soap and water. This removes dirt, bugs, and road grime before they can cause permanent staining. Use a microfiber cloth to avoid scratching the lens surface.

- Apply UV Protection: Use a UV-resistant car wax or headlight sealant every few months to protect against sun damage. These products create a barrier that blocks harmful UV rays from reaching the headlight plastic. This simple step significantly extends the life of your headlights.

- Replace Damaged Seals: Check the rubber seals around your headlights periodically for cracks or damage. Broken seals allow moisture and dirt to enter the headlight housing, causing fogging and other problems. Replace damaged seals promptly to prevent expensive repairs.

- Use Proper Cleaning Products: Avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners that can damage headlight lenses. Stick to products designed specifically for automotive use, or use gentle household items like the methods described in this guide. Never use bug spray or other strong chemicals on plastic headlights.