Motoring experts warn drivers against ‘dangerous’ TikTok car-cleaning hack
- Experts have advised drivers against a cost-cutting hack to clean their interior
- Many TikTokers are using olive oil and cupcake moulds to clean their cars
- If users aren’t careful to remove excess oil the car could become too slippery
Drivers have been warned against a TikTok car cleaning hack that could put lives at risk.
Amid the cost-of-living crisis, many motorists have scoured the web for cheap methods to keep their cars looking shiny and new.
And while experts at Moneybarn have said that many cleaning tips floating around the social media app are ‘relatively harmless’, they warn some put lives at risk.
They have urged drivers to take precaution when participating in social media trends and be mindful of the damage they may cause.
Experts have told drivers to take precaution if participating in a viral car-cleaning method
The cost-cutting hack involves adding olive oil to a coffee filter or cupcake mould and scrubbing the dashboard
While this can leave your interior shiny and dust-free, experts say it may leave your car slippery and advice not to scrub the wheel with oil
The experts said: ‘There are loads of interior cleaning hacks you can find on TikTok, such as using a squeegee to remove pet hair and putting silicone cupcake moulds in your cup holder.’
One viral car cleaning method on the app is using olive oil to make your dashboard sparkle.
TikToker Babs @brunchwithbabs suggested rubbing your interior with olive oil and coffee filters.
She said: ‘Not only does it remove the dust but it acts as a repellent against dust and lint gathering so quickly.’
The video has received over 60,000 likes and has had over 9000 shares from users eager to try the hacks.
Although the hack can eliminate any dust, experts have urged drivers not to use oil on the wheel and be careful to wipe off any excess.
‘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 be dangerous,’ they told The Sun.
TikToker Babs also suggested rubbing your interior with olive oil – while this can eliminate dust, experts advise against using an excessive amount
She also advised using toothpaste to clean your headlights to remove any dirt; experts say some car TikTok hacks are usually harmless
TikToker Babs shared more hacks to her followers 3.8 million followers to keep their cars in ‘tip top shape’.
The mother of four and grandmother of eight suggested: ‘Clean your headlights with toothpaste, it will actually eliminate light to moderate oxidation which may be making your headlights foggy.’
She also suggested placing a cup of white vinegar in your car overnight to eliminate any odors.
Experts, however, suggest drivers should be cautious when trying out a new cleaning method on their car.
They said if you are using a new product such as carpet cleaner, vinegar or baking soda, you should test them on small areas first.
