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No matter how much time and care you put into your outdoor space, things still get dirty.
From lights to patio furniture to rugs, things can get dusty from flying debris or worse, fade from the sun. But that doesn't mean you have to throw away or replace any of these seemingly ruined items. Some items, like solar lights, are actually easy to clean and make look brand new again.
U.K.-based gardener Ish Kamran, aka @gardening.with.ish, recently shared his simple hack on how to turn your solar panels from cloudy to clear in seconds.
Why Do Outdoor Solar Lights Get Cloudy?
Solar lights cloud over due to a variety of outdoor circumstances, from UV rays to moisture to dirt buildup. Not only can this buildup affect the way the lights work, but it can also make your outdoor area less put together and more weathered.
One sign that you should be able to restore them is if the lights themselves aren't actually old. The culprit is usually the plastic covering over the light that's oxidizing, not the lights themselves. You should be able to easily clean up the light panels and get them looking and working like brand new in no time.
How to Clean Cloudy Solar Lights With Baking Soda
All you need to de-cloud your lights is some baking soda and water.
Mix the two together to create a thick paste that's not too watery but not too solid. Then, take a clean, soft towel, dip it into the mixture, and smear it across your solar panels. Next, gently buff the light with the rag and paste. Wipe off the excess, and your light should look good as new.
While this hack isn't a lifetime fix, as the plastic covers will oxidize again over time, it is easy to redo as needed. Plus, most people almost always have baking soda hiding in a cabinet somewhere.
Related: Turn a Thrifted Lamp Into a Charming Solar Garden Light With This Easy DIY
Why Homeowners Love This Viral Cleaning Trick
We're not the only ones who find this hack completely useful to keep in mind.
Many in Kamran's comment section said how useful they found this hack and how they couldn't wait to use it themselves on their own lights that have stopped working.
"Omg the amount of these I've thrown out!" one commenter wrote about their own solar lights.
With the end of summer on its way, this is the perfect time to clean off your solar lights before putting them away for the season. After all, this hack is one you can repeat again and again.
