5 Car Cleaning Hacks and Tips From TikTok That Actually Work

TikTok is one crazy platform that makes you realize that 60 seconds is all you need to change the world or embarrass yourself. Well, since negativity is never cool, let’s focus on one way how TikTok at least does its best to accrue change one video at a time: life hacks.

Life hacks shown on video platforms can either be useless (thank you, Khaby Lame) or literal lifeboats taking us to freedom. On TikTok, car cleaning hacks abound, and we have picked up five that actually work. I mean, everybody hates a dirty car, but nobody is actually rushing to clean it mainly because of the hard work involved. Turns out, thanks to TikTok, cleaning a car is not that terrible after all.

Why Clean Your Car

Before we catch some short car cleaning hacks, it’s imperative to know the importance of cleaning your car. I can’t believe I had to reiterate this because something’s telling me you’re old enough to know what’s up.

Regardless, if you need a nudge in the right direction, here are some benefits of a clean car:

• Protects the car’s appearance and value
• It’s good for your health.
• Helps avoid costly tire repairs and maintenance
• Much safer because a clean car gives you better driving visibility

All of the reasons above should be enough to compel every car owner to prioritize a clean vehicle. With just a little bit of elbow grease, you’d actually save yourself the hassle and money in the long run.

5 Best Car Cleaning Hacks and Tips Courtesy of TikTok

• Get Slime-y

@sherry090811

#foryou #cars #forcar #carcleaning

♬ Woah – Lil Baby

Slime is that sticky, gluey substance that children play with. It is made through an amalgam of sodium borate and water. Because it’s really gooey, it can double as an all-purpose car cleaner. It can actually lift up tiny particles of dirt off the car’s surfaces, such as steering wheels, dashboards, etc.

• Let off some steam

@donochoa88

#littlegreenmachine #bissell #honda #carpetcleaning #letsgo #fyp

♬ Buss It – Erica Banks

This shouldn’t come as a complete surprise since steam has always been an effective dirt and stain remover without the harmful chemicals. Steam also kills almost all bacteria present on the surface, making it a super safe and eco-friendly way to clean stuff, especially car upholstery.

• Water’s not enough

@mastersonscarcare

Reply to @cptj1zzsock #greenscreen You Gotta Use Soap! #detailing #cars #carsoftiktok #showandtell #storytime #howto #work #jobs #america

♬ Music Sounds Better With You – Radio Edit – Stardust

This is not a hack, per se, but plenty of good, old-fashioned car-cleaning advice. If you’re using a pressure washer, apply some form of cleaning agent with it, such as car soap, detergent, foam, or shampoo. Otherwise, as the guy in the video says, you’re just moving dirt around the car.

Now, if you’re contemplating buying a pressure washer for your car-cleaning needs, make it a point that there is a soap/detergent reservoir that attaches to the pressure washer. That will make your work a lot easier.

• Removing Paint Scuffs

@ohheykellay

Duet this if you try it!!! #diy #hacks #carhacks #learnontiktok #fyp #foryoupage #lifehack #tiktokhack

♬ original sound – Ohheykellay

Paint scuffs are an unavoidable part of a car owner’s life, but you don’t need to break the bank trying to fix it. What this TikTok user did was use a damp rag and toothpaste. Easy fix!

The comment section is also flooded with more suggestions, including acetone, coconut oil, gasoline, and hand sanitizer. Well, it’s up to you to try them, but at least we have video proof that toothpaste really works.

• Shaving cream for a seating dream?

@coley_07

It works 🤗 #diy #lifehacks #shavingfoam #cleancar #carhack

♬ original sound – Sommer

Like the steam-cleaning hack, this one shouldn’t come as a surprise since shaving cream does remove stains on carpet and fabric. It does get a little messy sometimes, but yes, it does work!

Which Car Hack/Tip Should I Follow?

It always pays to err on the side of caution when watching videos such as these. However, you can mitigate those risks simply by following what has traditionally worked. For car cleaning, that’s using a power washer and soap and/or detergent.

Using a power washer along with a soap or detergent is not exactly rocket science, but it’s important to know the basics. Improper water hardness, for example, can create cleaning and rinsing complications if it reacts to some of the chemicals present in car detergents. Considering all these things, it would be best to consult with an expert unless you’re ready to face the consequences.