With the popularity of social media platform TikTok ever-increasing, a common trend are users issuing daily life hacks, which sometimes addresses how to look after your vehicle.
While some are handy advice, other ‘hacks’ may cause long term damage to your car.
Moneybarn have laid out the ones you can tell your students to do, and the ones they are best to avoid!
Do heed caution with interior cleaning hacks
There are loads of interior cleaning hacks your students find on TikTok, such as using a squeegee to remove pet hair and putting silicone cupcake moulds in your cup holder. Whilst some are relatively harmless, some hacks can cause more harm than good. For example, plenty of TikTokers recommend using olive oil to make your dashboard shiny. Whilst this may seem like a good idea in theory, if you don’t wipe off all the oil, it will be slippery and could potentially be dangerous.
Moneybarn recommends always using caution when trying out something different to clean your interiors. If using a new product like carpet cleaner, vinegar or baking soda, always test on a small, out-of-sight area first.
Do use a towel to stop your windscreen from freezing over
This particular trick for a frosty morning went viral, with over 145,000 likes on TikTok. The tried-and-tested method involves simply placing a large towel over your windscreen in the evening during winter. The towel will be frozen in the morning, leaving your windscreen frost-free and ready to go.
Don’t use a bag of hot water to defrost the screen
Another winter-orientated hack created by a TikTok user is to use a bag of hot water to defrost your windscreen. Whilst the user caveats that the temperature shouldn’t be too hot, it would be easy to underestimate the heat – and end up with a cracked windscreen.
Don’t use a plunger to pull out dents
Believe it or not, the use of a plunger to pull out dents after an accident did become popular on TikTok. Whilst it may work for small bumps, it’s generally recommended to avoid this one, as you could end up pulling the metal out too far and making it worse. Best to leave the dent repair to the professionals.
Don’t use toothpaste for scuffs
Whilst toothpaste can be used for various cleaning hacks, the one to avoid is using it to buff out scuffs and scratches. Whilst this method has been tried by professionals, you would need a certain type of toothpaste for it to work, but you could end up rubbing off your clearcoat, leaving your paint exposed to the natural elements.
Don’t create a DIY foaming jet wash
This car hack went viral in the summer, involving a hose pipe and washing up liquid to create a DIY foaming car wash. Whilst it may look great in theory, the sheer power of your hose pipe could end up causing small fragments of muck to damage your paintwork. Definitely, one to leave to the professionals.
If you spot a hack on ‘CarTok’ that you think might be worth having a go at, stop and think twice, as you could end up doing more harm than good.
