Car cleaning tips everyone should know
Don’t settle for just hosing down your car in the driveway. These eight simple tips will get your car looking brand new again!
1. Wash with the right suds
It’s true that dishwashing detergent can get your car clean and shiny, but leave it for the dishes. Yes, it removes dirt, grease and old wax but it also strips any protective wax coatings, exposing the vehicle to possible nicks, scratches and stains, as well as shortening the life of the paint. Instead use a cleaner made for vehicles.
2. No direct sunlight
When washing your car, park it in a shaded area. If the surface is too hot, the soap suds will dry too quickly, leaving soapy splotches and deposit stains.
3. Hose it off
Always pre-soak your car to remove, loosen and soften heavy contaminents first.
4. Wash one section at a time
Start at the roof of the car and wash the car by sections: hood, rear, upper sections of side, and then lastly, the lower areas. After the section is washed, rinse it off with a hose. This prevents the soap drying on the paint and potentially staining it.
5. Start and end with clean sponge and bucket of soap
Hose off your sponge or mitt before re-soaping in the bucket. You want to keep your cleaning instruments clean, but most importantly if there’s any debris stuck on the mitt it could scratch or damage the car.
6. Avoid air drying
Air-drying might seem a quick and easy solution but it can leave watermarks or water spots on the exterior. Use a chamois or a soft terry cloth to dry the car.
7. Clean the inside from the top
Many people begin by shampooing the carpet but it will just get dirty again when you clean the upper surfaces. Start at the top and work your way down and vacuum the dust and dirt as you go.
8. Protect paint with wax
Wax your car to protect the paint job on the car. It will wear off over a few months, but in that time it will also absorb stains and small scratches before they ruin the paint. There are any different type of waxes on the market but all do the same job.
Related links:
Five need to know things about roadside help
Five things to keep in your car’s glove box
Tips for buying a second hand car