You are in a hurry in the morning, but the windows are fogged up and the outside mirrors are frozen over? When refueling, always wonder which side your gas cap is on? And let’s be honest: How often have you stood in the parking lot and looked for your car in vain? That’s the end of it! With our 15 lifehacks around the car we provide remedy. You’ll be surprised what baking soda, hair conditioner and toothpaste have to do with it.
Car wash with hair conditioner
How hair conditioner and car wash go together? It’s simple: the conditioner contains a form of wax that gives your car’s paint a water-repellent coating. Apply some hair conditioner to a wet rag and wipe it over the bodywork.
Tip: You prefer “Proper” car hand washing? In our article car wash yourself you will find a comprehensive step-by-step instructions.
Most hair conditioners contain lanolin, a form of wax that can also protect car paint
Shining headlights with toothpaste
If you’re already on your way to the bathroom for the conditioner: Take the toothpaste with you while you’re at it. This contains substances that make your headlights shine.
This trick with toothpaste gives you freshly polished headlights
Baking powder against bad smells
A quick trip to the kitchen is also worthwhile. Because baking powder can also work wonders for your car. To remove bad odors, sprinkle baking soda into your vehicle and let it sit overnight. Then suck it up again. Alternatively, this trick also works with baking soda.
Tip: For a more permanent solution, use a small bag filled with a tablespoon or two of baking soda or. Fill up on baking soda and place it in your vehicle.
Shiny rims with baking soda
Baking soda, flap the second: Mix baking soda with some dishwashing liquid and warm water. Already you have the ideal recipe to make the rims of your car shine!
Baking soda, dishwashing detergent and warm water: in no time, those rims will be gleaming with a new shine
Window squeegee vs. Animal hair
You like to travel with a dog on board? Then you are certainly familiar with this problem: Hair. Everywhere. A rubber window squeegee and a spray water bottle can help against this. Spray some water on the car seat and run a window squeegee over it. Problem solved!
Armed with a spray bottle, pet hair can be easily removed with a window squeegee
Cleaning the ventilation with a “handle
An elegant solution to clean the vent: Take the stem bspw. a fork, wrap a cloth around it and use it to clean the narrow slits in the ventilation system. With this trick, the air conditioner finally blows fresh air at you again.
Keep the air fresh by using the handle of a fork to clean the air vents
Cat litter as a dehumidifier
It can be quite a nuisance when your car is steamed up from the inside and you have to wait for a clear view first. To prevent this, cat litter is recommended. Fill the cat litter z.B. into an old sock and place it in an inconspicuous place in your car. The cat litter will remove the moisture from the vehicle, so your windows will no longer fog up.
For more tips on how to dehumidify your car, check out our article Car windows fog up.
Clear view thanks to socks
Socks prove to be an all-rounder for a clear view. Put these (or alternatively any bags) over the wing mirrors. This way, the vision aids can’t freeze over and you can start the morning relaxed even in winter. For more tips on how your car can survive the cold, check out our winter-proof car checklist.
With the socks you protect your outside mirrors in winter from frost
180 degree turn for a cool steering wheel
In summer, on the other hand, drivers have other problems to contend with. Nobody likes to touch a heated steering wheel. Turn the steering wheel 180 degrees after parking. With this simple trick only the underside heats up, the grip surface remains pleasantly cool.
Rubber band to hold cell phone
The navigation app will show you the route, you are ready to leave. But where to put the cell phone? It always slides off the shelf and you don’t have a helpful passenger on board? In case you don’t have a cell phone holder at hand, try a rubber band as an alternative. Knot this to the vent so that your cell phone fits in there.
Tip: You are looking for an ingenious gift idea for car lovers? Then be sure to check out our extensive list of car gifts!
The smartphone does not belong in the hand while driving, use instead a rubber band
The belt as a drink opener
You got yourself a tasty soft drink on the road, but didn’t pay attention to a screw cap? Before you start cutting your teeth: open your bottle conveniently with the belt buckle.
Caution! If used too often, this could cause damage to the belt.
In case you don’t have a bottle opener at hand: the seatbelt buckle will do as well
Cooled glove box
Did you know that in many cars, the glove box doubles as a cooler? Have a look! A small wheel inside the compartment indicates the cooling function. This keeps your refreshing drink nice and cold.
The seat heater as a pizza warmer
You don’t need anything for cooling, but want to keep your freshly picked up pizza warm? Then just turn on the seat heater on the passenger seat. Your passenger with cheese on top will thank you for it.
Tip: Put some newspaper under the pizza box to protect the seat from possible grease stains.
The arrow to the gas cap
Oh dear, on which side was the gas cap again? Now before you stop, get out and check: On your fuel gauge, a small arrow indicates which side the cap is on.
Tip: By the way, you can find out where the next gas station with the cheapest fuel prices is with these fuel apps.
On which side the tank cap is located, this little arrow tells you
Finding a car with brains
They are standing in a huge parking lot: “Somewhere here should be my car?! But where exactly?” Your radio key can be used to locate the vehicle remotely, but depending on the size of the parking lot, the remote control quickly reaches its limits. This is where our life hack comes in: Hold the car key to your head to increase the range of the radio waves. Thanks to the water molecules, the signal is amplified by vibrations. Alternatively, and even better, this trick works with a water bottle.