The vehicle insurance price comparison website Quotezone.co.uk has warned motorists that some of the most common car cleaning hacks seen on social media could cause damage to their vehicle.
Many motorists use platforms such as YouTube and TikTok to find unusual yet simple methods to help make the most from their car without having to spend hundreds.
However, Greg Wilson, CEO of Quotezone.co.uk highlighted that some commonly seen hacks were not created by experts and therefore could cause significant harm to cars.
He explained: “While the viral car cleaning hacks may appear tempting for quick fixes, some of them can lead to unwanted consequences, causing lasting damage to your vehicle.
“It’s important to remember that these social media videos are often not made by experts, and they may not be aware that their seemingly helpful hacks can cause more harm than good.”
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Quotezone.co.uk warned that some video creators have suggested that motorists can remove oil stains by using a combination of beer and baking soda.
The company highlighted that beer is not an effective cleaner and could leave behind an unwanted sticky residue, creating another cleaning problem for motorists who try the hack.
They also suggested that drivers should be very careful using baking soda on some materials due to its incredibly abrasive nature.
In addition, Greg recommended that motorists avoid another common hack, which states that small scratches can be removed with toothpaste.
He added: “Quite a few car cleaning hacks revolve around toothpaste. Some videos recommended using it as a polishing compound, while others say it’s an effective solution for cleaning car mirrors.
“What these videos don’t tell you is that toothpaste can damage the car’s clear paint coat and even the paint under it. The same applies to mirrors, which can be scratched by the abrasive properties of toothpaste.”
Finally, the company advised owners of vehicles with leather seats that using olive oil to revive the upholstery’s appearance.
They suggested that applying olive oil to leather seats can make them greasy and leave long-lasting bad smells.
Quotezone.co.uk warned that leather requires a dedicated cleaning product that was especially designed for the material.
