To maximize our safety on the road, we must pay close attention to the condition of our vehicle. From periodic mechanical checks, to checking the condition of the brake fluid and pads, to tire pressure. But these are not the only aspects to take into account.
Car cleanliness also influences safety, going far beyond a mere question of hygiene or aesthetics. For example, if you have a car full of junk and garbage, these could be thrown out during an emergency braking and hit an occupant of the vehicle. A dirty mat also carries the risk of your feet sticking worse to the pedals. Not to mention poor visibility if the windows are full of splashes, bird droppings and insect impacts.
To this entire list we must also add cleaning the headlights. It is true that we clean them superficially when we generally wash the entire car, but stop for a moment to look at them closely. You will surely notice that they have become duller, while at the same time they have acquired a yellowish tone. This happens due to use, wear and tear and the accumulation of dirt on its surface. As a result, they no longer illuminate with the same clarity and intensity, thus impairing your nighttime visibility when driving.
Fortunately, there is an infallible combination of two basic products that we all have in the kitchen to restore sharpness, clarity and brightness to the car’s headlights. It is a star combination with a multitude of uses to clean all types of surfaces and dirt: white vinegar and baking soda.
With these two elements you can leave the oven, the iron, a reusable water bottle, stubborn grease stains on clothes, mold in the bathroom or windows… And also the car headlights shining. Its mixture easily removes embedded dirt, while exerting a whitening effect.
First, mix soap – whatever you normally use to clean the car or dishwashing soap – with water and, with the help of a scouring pad or soft sponge, clean the headlights. Then, rinse and dry them to move on to the next step.
Next, mix a cup of white vinegar, a splash of the previously used soap and a couple of tablespoons of baking soda in a container. You should have the consistency of a creamy paste, so adjust the quantities until you get it. Apply it to the headlights with the help of a cloth or sponge and let the mixture act for a couple of hours.
If the dirt is very abundant, you can rub carefully with a sponge or scouring pad, but never with the bristles, as you could scratch the headlights. After this time, remove the mixture with a damp cloth or by pouring plenty of water, dry them and you will have them spotless.
