Warning over viral TikTok cleaning hacks that could damage your vehicle

• Experts at ChoiceQuote have warned against some TikTok car cleaning hacks
• READ MORE: How environmentally friendly are electric cars really?

With everyday costs increasing and fuel prices on the rise, owning a car is becoming more and more unaffordable.

As a result, many car-owners are turning to TikTok to find cheaper methods to maintain their vehicles. 

But while these viral methods may seem like a quick and easy fix, experts have warned against some popular methods circling the app. 

According to specialist insurance broker ChoiceQuote there are certain dos and don’ts when it comes to the upkeep of your vehicle.

According to experts, there a number of car cleaning ‘hacks’ that TikTokers should be avoiding. These quick and easy fixes could end up costing you in the long run 

Specialists at ChoiceQuote said there are certain dos and don’ts to consider when maintaining your vehicle 

Toothpaste to remove car mirror scratches – Not effective

This viral technique gained 1.7 million likes after the popular TikToker Mister Ryhan gave it a go.

The user demonstrated the trick by scrubbing his scratched mirrors with the paste and wiping it off with a microfiber cloth, but according to the experts the method is ineffective. 

They explained that toothpaste contains mild abrasives which could scratch the surface and lead to further deterioration. 

‘To avoid causing further damage to the mirror and having to replace it, drivers should clean their mirrors with a solution made from mild soap and warm water or a specialist car mirror cleaning product, cleaning gently in circular motions,’ they advised. 

Using beer and baking soda to remove oil stains – Not effective

According to experts, beer and baking soda is not a good cleaning alternative and ‘should be avoided at all costs’

Another ill-advised TikTok hack, according to the experts, is using beer and baking soda to remove oil stains. 

The method, which gained over 28,000 likes after creator @lianggeshuoche posted it, advised drivers to mix the ingredients to tackle oil stains. 

After receiving much attention on the app, the experts have warned TikTokers: ‘This method should be avoided at all costs.’ 

Yet many TikTokers weren’t fooled by the trick, as some warned: ‘Please don’t try these’ and ‘recipe to destroy your car.’  

Using coconut oil to clean plastic on car – Not effective

The experts said that coconut oil is not an effective method to clean your car’s exterior and could damage the outer layer of paint 

This car cleaning hack, posted by @mrs_tink, claimed that using coconut oil will make your car shine and raked in 21,600 likes. 

However, while the method could work in the short term, the experts said that it could damage the car paint by harming the clear coat layer. 

This could make the paintwork look dull and even cause small scratches to spread. 

‘When a vehicles’ paintwork is damaged, the car is more likely to rust which could lead to expensive repairs and a shorter lifespan,’ the experts added.  

Cleaning Car Seats with Laundry Pods – Not effective

While laundry pods may seem like an easy method to clean your car, experts say it could harm the vehicle’s interior 

The final method the experts warned against was using laundry pods to clean surfaces. 

TikToker @cleanfreakpro dissolved a laundry pod into hot water and used a microfiber cloth to wipe surfaces in the interior. 

The experts said: ‘Laundry pods are designed to clean clothes and contain chemicals that could harm the car’s interiors.’

Instead, the experts advised buying upholstery cleaning products if they want to refresh their seats.  

Creating your own slime to clean your car -Effective 

Not all TikTok cleaning hacks are ineffective, according to experts slime can help clean those hard-to-reach places in your car, and you can even make your own 

Cleaning slime has taken over TikTok in recent months, especially as a way to clean hard-to-reach corners in a car. 

One TikTok creator @uniquozwjsl even opted for making their own, by mixing glue, baking soda and contact solution. 

The viral video has gained over 183,000 likes and thousands of shares and thankfully, slime users can keep at it. 

The experts said that the hack is simple and effective, though warned motorists may need to remake the solution. 

READ MORE: Cleaner shares the viral sink-cleaning hack she never recommends and how to unblock your drain instead

To clear up any cleaning misconceptions, experts at ChoiceQuote have  

Leon Hood, Motor Trade Insurance Specialist ChoiceQuote said: ‘Whilst some of these hacks can be effective, it’s clear that some of these methods could actually cause damage to vehicles and may not be worth it.’ 

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