Your car is one of the most frequently utilised items you own, but if you’re like me car cleaning often falls low on the list of priorities. Car art using dirty vehicles has seen some popularity on social media, but I don’t know of any driver who wouldn’t want to be able to see clearly through the windscreen. The vast majority would also want to keep their vehicle’s paintwork protected from dirt and grime. If your vehicle’s interior is starting to show the wear and tear of being used as a dining room, a sports changing room, and a general storage unit, a bit of intensive car cleaning may be in order. This second part of our spring cleaning series focuses on getting your car spic and span.
An article in a British newspaper1 stated that a car steering wheel has 9 times more germs on it than a public toilet seat. I don’t know about you, but just that snippet of information made me desperate to get cleaning. Spring makes the perfect time to give your car a deep clean, inside and out. Professional car cleaning can be expensive. However, there are many things that you can do yourself to give your vehicle a thorough refresh.
Car cleaning tips for the exterior
When tackling your car’s exterior, clean wheels and tyres first, using appropriate car cleaning products.
Salt on winter roads wreaks havoc with paintwork so should be washed off as soon as possible. Grab a sponge, a bucket of soapy water (preferably using a car wash solution that doesn’t strip out protective coatings), and wash your vehicle by hand. When you’ve rinsed everything down, and before the car dries, use a squeegee to remove excess water to avoid unsightly spotting on the paintwork. If possible wash your car weekly but if exposed to bird droppings or sap, try to rinse this off before it dries as it can affect your paintwork. It may be a struggle to interest kids in doing household chores, but many love to wash a car. Involve the kids so you can bond during the fun of the car wash.
When dry, follow up with two coats of wax to protect the paintwork from stains and minor scratches. Wax wears off, so it is best to reapply every season.
Check headlights for any rock chips, scratches or a hazy finish to the plastic.
Car cleaning tips for the interior
During colder months, your vehicle’s interior can get dirtier than other times of the year. Mud, rain, and snow get tracked in on people’s shoes and boots and pet’s paws. Cleaning the interior can be a time-consuming process. The following tips may help make it a little easier to tackle. First, clear out any rubbish that may have accumulated and then remove car mats and boot liners. Get out the vacuum cleaner to tackle dust, dirt, pet hair, and debris, using a brush vacuum tool around vents. Spot clean stains on the carpet with an appropriate carpet cleaner.
Cleaning the inside of the glass in windows is really important, so use an anti-glare glass cleaner where possible and avoid ammonia-based products.
The dashboard, seats, handles, doors and headliner of the car all deserve your attention too. Products are available that can kill bacteria and neutralise odours within the vehicle. It can be worthwhile investing in these, to get a really fresh feel to your interior. An old toothbrush can be a handy cleaning tool. It’s useful to get into the nooks and crannies of vinyl and the seams on seats.
If you don’t have the time or the inclination to clean your vehicle’s interior on a regular basis, there are a few things that can make it speedier:
- If you regularly transport passengers including pets and kids you may want to consider installing vehicle-specific rubber car mats and boot liners, which make cleaning a breeze. Travall offers a good range. The unique lipped design helps prevent spills from reaching the carpet, saving your carpet and reducing your car cleaning time.
- Use baking soda can help to eliminate odours. Just make sure the baking soda is in a non-breakable container and securely anchor it in a safe position.
- Adding a plastic bin to the car is helpful to keep future rides neater and tidier.
Cleaning the car can be fun and you’ll certainly notice an improvement in your ride experience. I know what I’ll be up to when the snow disappears, how about you?
Reference
- http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1379830/How-clean-car-Steering-wheels-times-germs-public-toilet-seat.html May 2011
