No one likes seeing a scratch on their car, but a motoring expert has shared a budget-friendly solution using an everyday household item – and it's not wax or polish. The tip comes from Instagram user @driver_ms_may, who has 4.9 million followers and frequently shares motoring advice online.
The Toothpaste Trick
In a recent post, she asked: "Why do 100 million experienced drivers keep a bottle of toothpaste in their cars?" She explained that toothpaste has three practical functions for vehicles. The first is scratch removal. "If there are scratches on the car, we only need to apply toothpaste on the scratches, then wipe it back and forth with a towel a few times. Look it is very clean, it saves repair costs," she said.
Additional Uses
Beyond scratches, toothpaste can prevent water droplets from accumulating on mirrors. "Second, when driving on rainy days it is very easy for water droplets to appear on the rear view mirror, so just apply toothpaste then spread it evenly." The third use is for aging wiper strips. "Just apply toothpaste on the rubber strips, wipe it back and forth a few times. So that the glass can be scraped cleanly," she added.
Expert Endorsement
The RAC motoring experts confirm that toothpaste can help if the scratch is only in the clear coat – test by running your fingernail over it; if it doesn't catch, it's likely superficial. Whitening toothpaste works best, but any brand will do. Rub the toothpaste into the scratch, rinse with soapy water, and dry with a microfibre cloth. Repeat up to two more times if needed, but the RAC warns: "Don't repeat more than twice to avoid any lasting damage to your paintwork."
When to Seek Professional Help
If the scratch is deeper, reaching the primer or metal body panel, it's best to take your car to a local garage for professional repair. The toothpaste method is only suitable for minor clear coat scratches.
Since the post went online, many praised the tips, with one commenter joking: "Four out of five dentists recommend using toothpaste in your car."
