With daily costs and fuel prices rising, owning a car is becoming more and more unaffordable.
As a result, many car owners are turning to TikTok to find less expensive methods to maintain their vehicles.
But while these viral methods may seem like a quick and easy solution, experts have warned against some popular methods surrounding the app.
According to a specialist insurance broker ChoiceQuote there are some do’s and don’ts when it comes to maintaining your vehicle.
According to experts, there are a number of car cleaning “hacks” that TikTokers should avoid. These quick and easy solutions could end up costing you in the long run
The experts at ChoiceQuote said there are some do’s and don’ts when maintaining your vehicle.
Toothpaste to remove scratches from car mirrors – Not effective
This viral technique gained 1.7 million likes after popular TikToker Mister Ryhan tried it.
The user demonstrated the trick by rubbing their scratched mirrors with the paste and wiping them with a microfiber cloth, but according to experts, the method is ineffective.
They explained that toothpaste contains mild abrasives that could scratch the surface and cause further deterioration.
“To avoid further damage to the mirror and the need for replacement, drivers should clean their mirrors with a solution of mild soap and warm water or a specialist car mirror cleaner, using gentle strokes. circulars,” they advised.
Using Beer and Baking Soda to Remove Oil Stains – Not Effective
According to experts, beer and baking soda are not a good cleaning alternative and “should be avoided at all costs.”
Another ill-advised TikTok hack, experts say, is using beer and baking soda to remove oil stains.
The method, which gained more than 28,000 likes after creator @lianggeshuoche posted, advised drivers to mix ingredients to combat oil stains.
After receiving a lot of attention on the app, experts warned TikTokers: “This method should be avoided at all costs.”
Yet many TikTok users weren’t fooled by this trick, as some warned: “Please don’t try these” and “recipe to destroy your car.”
Using coconut oil to clean car plastic – Not effective
Experts have said that coconut oil is not an effective method for cleaning your car’s exterior and could damage the exterior layer of paint.
This car cleaning hack, posted by @mrs_tink, claimed that using coconut oil would make your car shine and garnered 21,600 likes.
However, while the method might work in the short term, experts said it could damage the car’s paint by damaging the clear coat.
This could cause the paint to become dull and even cause small scratches to spread.
“When a vehicle’s paintwork is damaged, the car is more likely to rust, which could lead to costly repairs and a shorter lifespan,” the experts added.
Cleaning Car Seats With Laundry Pods – Not Effective
Although laundry detergent pods may seem like a simple method to clean your car, experts say it could cause damage to the vehicle’s interior.
The final method experts warned against was using laundry detergent pods to clean surfaces.
TikToker @cleanfreakpro dissolved a detergent pod in hot water and used a microfiber cloth to wipe down the surfaces inside.
Experts said: “Laundry pods are designed to clean clothes and contain chemicals that could damage the car interior. »
Instead, experts advise purchasing upholstery cleaning products if they want to freshen up their seats.
Create your own slime to clean your car -Effective
Not all TikTok cleaning hacks are ineffective, experts say slime can help clean hard-to-reach places in your car, and you can even make your own
Cleaning slime has taken over TikTok in recent months, especially for cleaning hard-to-reach corners of a car.
One TikTok creator @uniquozwjsl even chose to make his own, mixing glue, baking soda, and contact solution.
The viral video received over 183,000 likes and thousands of shares and luckily slime users can keep going.
Experts said the hack is simple and effective, although savvy motorists may need to rethink the solution.
To clear up any misconceptions about cleaning, the experts at ChoiceQuote have
- Wash your car regularly. According to experts, regular maintenance of your car can help keep it clean and make it easier to spot paint chips or scratches before they get worse.
- Use the right products. Experts said: We recommend using specialist automotive cleaning products to avoid any potential damage.
- Use microfiber cloths. To avoid any scratches on your vehicle, use microfiber cloths: they are absorbent and your car will dry quickly.
Leon Hood, car insurance specialist at ChoiceQuote, said: “While some of these hacks may be effective, it’s clear that some of these methods could actually cause damage to vehicles and may not be worth it. No need.”
