Does Toothpaste Clean Headlights? (Myths Tested)
Updated October 9, 2026 3 min readBy Dominick, owner of Slums Mobile Detailing
Internet hacks are everywhere. Here's the truth.
Does toothpaste really clean headlights?
Toothpaste is a mild abrasive, so it can remove a little surface haze and make lenses look slightly clearer for a few weeks. It can't remove deep oxidation and leaves the plastic unprotected, so yellowing returns quickly — often worse.
Other hacks
- Baking soda: same short-lived effect
- WD-40: temporarily fills haze, attracts dirt
- Bug spray: can melt plastic — avoid