Car Wash Hacks: 5 Household Items That Will Clean Your Car

No car wash handy? No problem! Here are five ordinary household items that can help keep your car sparkling clean all year round.

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Clean your car with conditioner
Photo: Shutterstock

1. Clean Your Car with Conditioner

Wash your car with a hair conditioner containing lanolin. You’ll become a believer when you see the freshly waxed look, and when you find that the surface will repel rain.

Hair conditioner makes your locks shine, but it’ll do the same for your face, shoes and tools too! Read on for more of hair conditioner’s great uses.

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Clean your car with cola
Photo: Fotazdymak/Shutterstock

2. Clean Your Windshield with Cola

When it rains after a long dry spell, a dirty windshield turns into one big mess. Get rid of streaks and blotches by pouring cola over the glass. (Stretch a towel along the bottom of the windshield to protect hood paint). The bubbles in the cola will fizz away the grime. Just be sure to wash the sticky cola off thoroughly or your cleaning efforts will end up attracting dust and dirt.

That chip in your windshield may have been caused by a small stone, but it could spell big trouble if you don’t have it repaired quickly. Here’s what to do when your car windshield gets chipped.

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Clean your car with vodka
Photo: Shutterstock

3. Replace Your Wiper Fluid with Vodka

When your windshield-washer reservoir needs filling, raid the liquor cabinet to make your own washing fluid. In a screw-top jug, mix 3 cups vodka (the cheapest you can find) with 4 cups water and 2 teaspoons liquid dishwashing detergent. Screw on the cap, shake well, and pour as much fluid as needed into the reservoir.

Do your windshield wipers leave spots for no apparent reason, even after you replaced the blades? Chances are the hinge is binding from corrosion. Here’s how to replace the wiper arm and fix this problem.

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Clean your car with window cleaner
Photo: Shutterstock

4. Polish Your Headlights with Window Cleaner

Keep your headlights polished (and yourself, safe) by applying window cleaner and rubbing vigorously with an old pair of panty hose.

Automotive experts share 13 tips on how to keep your car clean and looking as good as new.

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Clean your car with baby wipes
Photo: Shutterstock

5. Clean Your Windows with Baby Wipes

Clean your windshield and car windows by rubbing them with baby wipes stored in your glove compartment. What could be easier?

Check out these Genius Uses for Baby Wipes You Never Thought to Try.

Originally Published in Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things

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