How to Clean Car Headlights

Cleaning car headlights is a key vehicle maintenance task that improves night-time visibility, safety, and overall appearance by removing dirt, oxidation and yellowing that accumulate on headlight lenses over time.

Polycarbonate or plastic headlight covers are prone to cloudiness from UV exposure, road grime and environmental contaminants, which can reduce the strength and clarity of the light they emit. Regularly restoring and cleaning headlights using appropriate methods and products helps maintain brightness, optimises light projection, and enhances driver visibility in low-light or adverse weather conditions.

As Australia’s leading car detailing provider, our expert technicians can restore your headlights to like-new condition. To learn more about how our team of expert car detailers can restore the function and appearance of your vehicle’s headlights, take a look at our car detailing services.

What You’ll Need

• Water
• Microfiber cloths or sponges
• Masking tape
• Disposable gloves
• Toothpaste / Baking Soda & Distilled Vinegar / Window Cleaner & Car Polish
• Wax or sealant

Step-by-Step Instructions

In the following sections, we’ll guide you through the step-by-step process for cleaning your headlights using three different solutions: toothpaste, vinegar and baking soda, and window cleaner and car polish.

Each cleaning solution offers a different approach to cleaning your car headlights, so it’s important to choose the right method based on your preferences and the materials you have on hand.

Toothpaste

• Wash your headlights thoroughly with soap from your regular car washing supplies and let them air dry for a few minutes.
• Cover the areas around your headlights with masking tape to protect your vehicle’s paint and plastic parts from the mildly abrasive toothpaste.
• Wear disposable gloves and apply a dab of toothpaste to a damp cleaning cloth.
• Rub each headlight firmly, adding toothpaste and small amounts of water as you go. Spend about five minutes on each light to achieve the desired effect.
• Rinse each headlight with clean water and let them air dry before buffing each headlight with a second clean cloth.
• Apply a small amount of car wax to your headlights to protect them and keep them looking clear for longer.

Vinegar & Baking Soda

• Use a clean cloth to wash your headlights with car wash soap and water. Let them air dry for a few minutes before moving to the next step.
• Mix two parts of distilled white vinegar with one part baking soda in a clean container and shake the mixture to combine.
• Dip one of the microfiber cleaning cloths in the mixture and rub it onto each headlight, spending a few minutes on each one. Add more of the cleaning mixture as needed.
• Rinse your headlights with clean water and allow them to air dry. If necessary, repeat the previous step, always rinsing your headlights after each application of the mixture.

Window Cleaner & Car Polish

• Clean your headlights thoroughly with soap from your regular car washing supplies. Allow them to air dry for a few minutes before moving to the next step.
• Cover the areas around your headlights with masking tape to protect your vehicle’s paint and plastic parts.
• Wear disposable gloves and add a small amount of window cleaner to a microfiber cleaning cloth. Rub each headlight firmly, spending about five minutes on each light to achieve the desired effect.
• Rinse each headlight with clean water and let them air dry before buffing each headlight with a second clean cloth.
• Apply a small amount of car polish to your headlights to protect them and keep them clear.

Headlight Restoration Tips

In addition to the detailed steps for each cleaning solution, there are some general tips to keep in mind when restoring your car headlights. These tips can help you achieve the best results and avoid causing any damage to your vehicle or yourself:

• Always wear protective gloves and eye protection to avoid getting any cleaning solution in your eyes or on your skin.
• Avoid using low grit or harsh abrasives, as they can cause permanent damage to your headlights. Stick to the recommended cleaning solutions and use a soft, non-abrasive cloth.
• To avoid damaging the surrounding areas, it’s recommended to remove the headlights from the vehicle before starting the restoration process.

Using an LED light can help you identify imperfections in the lens and ensure that you have removed all dirt and grime.

How to Deal with Yellow Headlights

Yellowed headlights are usually caused by oxidation, UV exposure and grime buildup. To restore a clear lens :

• Clean the surface: Wash headlights with soap and water to remove dirt and debris.

• Remove oxidation: Use a mild abrasive such as toothpaste or a professional headlight restoration product to polish away the yellowing.

• Protect the lens: Apply a wax or sealant to prevent future yellowing and extend the results.

• Consider professional restoration: At Star Car Wash, our expert technicians can restore headlights to near-new brightness, safely removing oxidation and applying protective coatings.

Regular cleaning and professional maintenance can prevent yellowing from returning and maintain optimal visibility on the road.

How to Deal with Foggy Headlights

Foggy headlights are typically caused by moisture trapped inside the headlight housing or micro-scratches on the lens. To fix foggy headlights :

• Inspect for moisture: Check the headlight housing for condensation. Remove any trapped water if possible.

• Clean the lens: Use a gentle cleanser or polishing compound to smooth out surface scratches.

• Dry and seal: Ensure the lens is fully dry, then apply a protective coating or wax to prevent moisture from reappearing.

• Professional option: Star Car Wash offers expert headlight restoration services that safely remove fogging, polish lenses and apply protective treatments to keep headlights clear longer.

Proper care and periodic professional restoration ensure maximum visibility and safer driving in low-light conditions.

Professionally Restored Yellow or Dim Headlights

While DIY headlight restoration can be a cost-effective option, it does come with some risks. If you’re not careful, you could accidentally damage your car’s paint, plastic trim, or other components.

Star Car Wash is Australia’s leading professional car hand wash & detailing provider. We offer a variety of premium 100% hand wash and car detailing services that will fit your needs and your budget.

Unlike regular car washes that only surface clean your vehicle, our expert technicians will remove stains, swirl marks and blemishes, restore the shine to your headlights and paintwork and leave your car's exterior in its best possible condition.

If you want to save on time and potentially costly repairs, let the experts at Star Car War professionally restore your headlights for you. With locations in major shopping centres across Australia, you shop or catch up with friends while your headlights are professionally restored.

Book online today or visit your nearest Star Car Wash branch.

Contact Us

Contact any participating Star Car Wash today and experience the difference a professional detailing makes.