'Definitely Needed This:' Kentucky Man Discovers Car Headlights Are Foggy. Then He Uses Little-Known Trick With Household Items

Foggy, yellowed headlights are more than just an eyesore—they can reduce visibility and make night driving dangerous. 

Professional headlight restoration can cost anywhere from $50 to $150. But do you really need to let the pros handle it? One Kentucky man says you can do it yourself at home. He's shared a viral hack for fixing headlights using items you probably already have under your sink. 

Here’s what you need to know about if this is a job that’s better to DIY or take to the professionals to handle.

Home Cleaning Tools: Clear Up Foggy Headlights?

In a viral video with 421,000 views, Kentucky content creator Ceith Griffith (@ceithgriffith) demonstrates a simple method for cleaning foggy headlights using Dawn Powerwash dish soap and a Magic Eraser.

"Spray the Dawn Powerwash on your headlights. Just spray it all over the headlight. And after you spray it on the headlight, you wanna let it sit for about 15 to 30 seconds," Griffith says, as he followed his own instructions.

After letting the soap sit, Griffith uses a Magic Eraser to scrub the headlight.

"Look at that. Look at that, guys. Check it out. It's peeling off all of the fog and all of the yellow on your headlight. Look how much better the headlight looks," he says, showing the significantly clearer result.

But it turns out, this DIY isn’t the best way to go, yielding very temporary results, according to commenters.

Why Headlights Get Foggy and How to Prevent It

Headlights are made of polycarbonate plastic that reacts with oxygen over time through a process called oxidation, Chemical Guys explained. This chemical reaction breaks down the surface, leaving it hazy and discolored.

But oxidation isn't the only culprit. UV rays from constant sun exposure cause the outer layer of plastic to degrade, leading to a yellow tint. Every drive also kicks up dust, dirt, bugs, and pebbles that smack into your headlights. Over the years, these tiny impacts scratch and pit the surface, making it dull and cloudy.

Extreme heat, freezing cold, and humidity all speed up the yellowing process, and even the heat from your own headlight bulbs slowly cooks the plastic from the inside.

How to Prevent Cloudy Headlights

Chemical Guys notes that prevention beats restoration every time. Regular cleaning with a pH-balanced car shampoo stops dirt buildup before it becomes a problem. 

Parking in shade or a garage dramatically cuts down UV exposure, and applying a protective coating (whether a UV-blocking protectant or a ceramic layer) acts like sunscreen for your headlights, keeping them clearer for longer.

The Dawn and Magic Eraser method might restore clarity temporarily, but without adding protection afterward, headlights will start yellowing again, Chemical Guys states.

Professional Restoration vs. DIY Kits: Which Is Better?

If Griffith's trick doesn't cut it, you're left with two options: pay a professional or buy a restoration kit.

Professional headlight restoration typically costs between $50 and $150, while DIY restoration kits run between $10 and $25, Gear Junkie found. 

Commercial headlight restoration kits from brands like Sylvania, 3M, Cerakote, and Meguiar's include everything you need: sandpaper or sanding discs in various grits, polishing compounds, and UV-blocking sealants. Some kits require a power drill to speed up the sanding process, while others can be done entirely by hand.

Gear Junkie found that the key difference between a quality restoration kit and household methods is UV protection and longevity. Kits that include UV-blocking agents in the polishing compound or sealant help protect headlight surfaces from UV-induced damage, prolonging their lifespan and maintaining their appearance. 

Without this protective layer, headlights will start yellowing again quickly.

For those comfortable doing some light sanding and wanting to save money, a quality DIY kit offers solid results.

DIY Headlight Restoration Gets Mixed Reviews

Some people who commented on Griffith’s post love the DIY hack for headlight restoration; others not so much.

“Just tried it and it worked great!” said one.

“I've tried all of these headlight cleaning hacks, including this one. it looks great at first but the next day it's back or even worse,” a detractor countered.

“Mother’s headlight cleaning kit works super well,” another recommended, referring to a brand that makes headlight restoration kits.

“Hey! This is a bad idea bc if you do this then your car might think it’s a dish that belongs in the kitchen,” someone else joked.

Motor1 reached out to Griffith via Instagram and TikTok direct message for comment. We'll be sure to update this if he responds.

Source: 'Definitely Needed This:' Kentucky Man Discovers Car Headlights Are Foggy. Then He Uses Little-Known Trick With Household Items