Viral car cleaning hacks that can ruin your car

Motorists are being warned of viral cleaning hacks which could cause damage to their cars.

Car insurance comparison experts at Quotezone.co.uk have highlighted the seven household items motorists should avoid using on their vehicles.

With cost-of-living challenges and soaring fuel prices, a growing number of car owners are turning to Tiktok for cheap car maintenance solutions.

There are many DIY car cleaning videos on social media platforms offering quick and cost-effective hacks for getting rid of tricky stains and dirt.

Baking soda, vinegar and olive oil are a few examples of household essentials that are being praised by social media users as miracle fixes for sprucing up cars.

While these hacks can offer short-term solutions, it’s crucial to think twice before jumping on social media trends that can potentially compromise the health and longevity of the vehicle.

Greg Wilson, CEO of Quotezone.co.uk said: “While the viral car cleaning hacks may appear tempting for quick fixes, some of them can lead to unwanted consequences, causing lasting damage to your vehicle.

“It’s important to remember that these social media videos are often not made by experts and they may not be aware that their seemingly helpful hacks can cause more harm than good.

“It’s important to prioritise the health and longevity of your car by relying on proven, manufacturer-approved methods and specialist cleaning products.

“By using the correct products you can avoid any additional damages, which could end up costing you less in the long run.”

The team at Quotezone.co.uk has put together a list of seven viral car cleaning hacks to avoid:

1. Beer and baking soda

Social media users claim the combination of beer and soda is a great solution for getting rid of oil stains. However, beer is not an effective cleaner, and the abrasive nature of baking soda poses a risk of causing additional damage to the vehicle. The combination could also leave behind a sticky residue, adding to the cleaning troubles rather than alleviating them.

2. Toothpaste

 Quite a few car cleaning hacks revolve around toothpaste. Some videos recommend using it as a polishing compound, while others say it’s an effective solution for cleaning car mirrors.  What these videos don’t tell you is that toothpaste can damage the car’s clear paint coat and even the paint under it. The same applies to mirrors, which can be scratched by the abrasive properties of toothpaste.

3. Vinegar and baking soda

 Some videos suggest that mixing together vinegar and baking soda creates an effective all-purpose car cleaning solution. However, this mixture can be abrasive or corrosive, potentially leading to damage to both the interior and exterior of your car.

4. Olive oil

Olive oil is claimed to be a versatile cleaning product that can be used for leather seats as well as the dashboard. Leather is a tricky material and it requires a dedicated cleaning product, instead of cooking oils which will make the seats greasy and give them an odd smell. While olive oil can be used for the dashboard, there are a lot of factors to consider, so it might be easier to opt for a specialist product. 

5. Shaving gel

There are videos circulating on the internet suggesting the use of shaving foam to remove stains from car upholstery. However, regular use of shaving gel can result in additional stains, discolouration and even irreversible damage. This is due to the presence of mineral oils in the product.

6. Coconut oil

Using coconut oil to clean plastic on cars may seem like a simple hack, but it is not the most suitable car cleaner and can cause more harm than good. While it may work temporarily, it could damage the car’s paint by harming the coat layer, resulting in a dull appearance or even small scratches. This can make the paintwork more susceptible to rust, which could lead to expensive repairs.

7. Dish soap

 Dish soaps are designed to cut through grease and grime, and they do this by removing oils. This means they can strip away any protective wax and clear coat on your car’s paint and leave it vulnerable.