Can toothpaste be used to clean wipers that don't wipe cleanly?
2 Answers
Toothpaste can be used to clean wipers that don't wipe cleanly. Toothpaste can polish the wipers, thereby removing the aged parts. Wipers are wear-prone components made of rubber. Rubber products will age after prolonged use. There's no specified replacement time for wipers - they should be replaced whenever they fail to clean properly or produce abnormal noises during operation. Cleaning wipers with toothpaste can improve their cleaning performance. In daily use, avoid parking the car in direct sunlight as this accelerates the aging of rubber and plastic components on the vehicle.
I've been driving for ten years and have encountered situations where the wipers don't clean properly. I've tried using toothpaste to clean them, as it can temporarily remove oil stains or oily films on the rubber blades, thanks to the mild abrasives in toothpaste that slightly polish the surface. However, this isn't a long-term solution. Toothpaste can corrode the rubber blades, accelerating aging and making the problem worse. The main reasons wipers don't clean well are usually blade wear, dirty glass, or weather conditions, such as the rubber hardening in hot weather. A better approach is to first clean the windshield with a dedicated cleaner or soapy water; if that doesn't work, replace the wipers promptly. Regular maintenance is crucial—I check my wipers monthly to avoid safety issues during rainy drives. Spending a little money on new wipers is much more reliable than relying on temporary fixes.
