Everything You Need To Know About Routine Car Cleaning
The average American spends 25 miles and one hour in the car every day. This adds up even more if you have a bigger family, take road trips, or have a long commute. In fact, Fatherly estimates that 6% of our lifetime waking hours are spent driving.
That means your car is as much of a symbol of your family as your house is. You spend a significant portion of your life and time in the car—so why don’t you take care of it like you know you should?
A clean car, inside and out, can improve passenger health, extend the lifespan of the vehicle, and show off the “status” of your car.
With that being said, we all know that cleaning your car frequently can be expensive. Have no fear, we’re going to give you the easiest routine to give your automobile a little TLC so you can get it back on the road clean and in tip-top shape.
How frequently to clean
You should be cleaning your car at least monthly, although we recommend once every other week. The more often you clean your car, the longer it will stand up against wear and tear. Think of cleaning your car as an offensive tactic to extend your car’s life and fight off depreciation.
You should clean out any trash or gunk from the inside of your car once weekly. Make your car cleanings as frequent as your house cleanings.
1. Choose a car cleaning spot.
How often do you use weather as an excuse to avoid cleaning your car? In fact, it’s during those bad weather times that you most need to clean your car to protect it from long-term damage.
If it’s hot outside, park your car somewhere shady. This gives you more time to clean without your soap and water drying and staining. It will also keep you more comfortable as you wash your car.
If it’s cold outside, you can wash your car in the garage. Make sure there’s nothing on the floor of the garage. Use a large ventilator or fan to help dry up any excess runoff. (You may even want to lightly spray the interior of your garage before drying.)
2. Get the necessary supplies.
To clean the outside of the car, you’ll need:
Buckets (two)
Hose
Car cleanser
Soft sponge
Cloth/rag
Tire cleaner
Soft terrycloth towels
Car Wax
We recommend plant-based car cleaning products. The run-off will find its way into your lawn and neighborhood, so you want it to be as natural and safe as possible. We also recommend liquid castile soap, which is an eco-friendly, olive oil solution that lathers well.
Follow the instructions on your car cleanser to dilute the solution in water. Don’t use dishwashing or laundry detergent on your car, because they’re often too harsh for car wax and paint. However, Dawn can sometimes be a good solution because it is environmentally friendly.
For the inside of the car, gather up:
Vacuum
Trash bag
Glass cleaner
Upholstery cleanser
Carpet cleaner
Q-tips
Paper towels
3. Start with a rinse.
Start by first rinsing the car with a hose. This gets the car prepped for the cleanser. It also helps remove any loose dirt or debris, so these particles won’t cause scratches or dents when you start scrubbing in the soap.
The water should be lukewarm. If it’s too cold, it could actually “freeze” to the paint of your car, which could cause chipping. If it’s too hot, it could damage the car wax and leave your car exposed to the elements.
You’ll want to use a high-pressure setting to loosen any dirt or grime, but don’t use too high a setting, which can damage your car’s wax.
4. Scrub.
Fill one bucket with soapy water and a second bucket with fresh, clean water.
Lather up your soft sponge with soapy water from the bucket. Rub in an up and down motion (not circular or side to side) to avoid streak marks.
When washing, start from the top of your car down to the bottom. This helps you avoid repeat washing when gunk from the top drips down towards the bottom of your car.
Rinse your sponge frequently after washing each section of the car. This removes any debris that could damage or scratch your car while cleaning. You may need to replace the fresh water every few rinses.
Try to work as quickly as you can. You don’t want your car to air dry with soap on it, which can cause streaking, paint damage, or marks.
5. Rinse.
After scrubbing in the soapy water, you’ll want to rinse the car with fresh water. Use the hose again but this time with mild pressure and lukewarm temperature.
You might want to rinse after each section that you scrub (as opposed to washing the whole car and then rinsing). This will prevent soap from drying and staining the car, leading to a shinier finished product.
6. Dry.
You want to dry immediately after rinsing. This prevents watermarks and streaking while lifting any leftover soap and dirt.
Use a terrycloth towel or microfiber cloth to clean up. We recommend using a larger towel so you don’t waste time during the hand-drying process. Dry in gentle, circular motions.
7. Clean the windows and chrome.
Now that the body of the car is washed, you’ll want to focus on the “special” areas like the windows and tires. Below are natural, green ways to keep these fresh and clean without marks.
For windows, mix together 1 cup of water, 1/2 cup of white vinegar, and 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol. Put in a spray bottle and shake gently. Spray on the interior and exterior windows, and wipe clean with a microfiber towel. This will cut through grime and reveal a streak-less shine. You can use the same solution for the chrome on your tires as well! (Don’t use vinegar on aluminum alloys.)
For the tires themselves, mix together 1/4 cup of baking soda and water to form a paste. Use a scrub brush to work the paste into the tires. Let it sit for several minutes (while you clean the windows maybe) before rinsing with a hose. Dry clean with a fresh microfiber towel.
8. Wax and polish.
You want to re-wax your car at least every three months (if not after every washing). It is best to use the was in conjunction with a clay bar. These remove microscopic dirt and prevent scratching. They also help create a protective shield over your car to defend it against the elements.
Cut the bar so you can easily hold it with your hand. Spray clay lubricant on the car before gliding the clay over the section back and forth. Don’t use a circular motion. Once you feel the roughness gone and the clay moves smoothly over the car, you can move on to the next section.
Then, use a natural car polish on a small, soft pad. Apply in a straight motion on the body of the car. Don’t apply to windows or trim. You only need to use a smooth, thin coating to create a glossy finish.
Let the polish settle. Then rub a microfiber towel up and down to buff away the excess wax and polish.
9. Get rid of trash and vacuum.
The outside of your car is looking shiny and fresh, so it’s time to tackle the inside. Start by removing any trash, toys, or extras. Throw out everything that’s been sitting in cup holders and on the floor. (You might want to wear gloves.)
Remove the floor mats and shake them out. Place them aside for vacuuming. Then, vacuum every part of your car using the upholstery nozzle. Make sure you cover the crevices of the seats, the dashboard, the console, and the headliner. Move the seats back and forth to get underneath them.
See the top 5 vacuums on the market.
10. Clean interior upholstery.
Apply a natural carpet cleaner to lift carpet stains. Learn more about cleaning carpet stains here. Make sure you blot and dry with a paper towel since there is less air flow in the car than in the home.
For fabric, use a foam cleanser and rub with a soft brush. Check out how to get odors and stains out of upholstery here.
If you have leather seats, make sure you use a leather cleanser or saddle soap.
Read: Eliminate Lingering Odors Naturally
11. Clean interior hardware.
Spray your homemade window cleaner (water, vinegar, and alcohol) in cup holders. Let it sit for five to ten minutes before cleaning out with a paper towel. This helps get rid of stains and gunk that sit on the bottom.
We recommend using car wipes to sanitize the dashboard and console. You can find these at your local auto shop. They help disinfect and remove dust and dirt safely. You can also use cotton squabs to clean small areas like air vents and panel seams.
Don’t forget to change your car’s air filter every 6 months. Neglecting to do so will cause a buildup of dirt and grime that’s released into that small, enclosed space every time you turn on your AC.
Clean airflow in your car is dictated by how well you clean your air filter. (where you spend 6% of your time).
See our automotive air filters here.
Conclusion
Cleaning your car is the best way to protect your investment from depreciation while keeping your passengers healthy. You’ll help remove debris that could cause scratches or dents. You’ll bring back that gorgeous shine that looks so good cruising down the highway. And you’ll keep your passengers healthy and comfortable while going for a ride.
What are your routine car cleaning tips and tricks? Let us know in the comments below!
15 Responses
Sharon
How i got my Ex lover back after a divorced by the help of DR NCUBE a marriage/relationship specialist. contact him if you need help WHATSAPP DR NCUBE ON +2348155227532
his email is….. drncube03@gmail.com
he also have #herbs for
Pregnancy
Infertility herbal medicine mixture.
#hiv/aids
#cancerdisease
#fibroid
#diabetes
Miles Caleb
Hi guys, I want to share my experience with you, about 10 Months ago in a bid to repair my poor credit score of about 523, I came across a fake hacker who promised to help out, but ended up worsening my situation, I spent over $7,500 and nothing changed until Mrs. Terry a very close friend of mine introduced me to CYBER CREDIT GURU, a professional Hacker who changed My life tremendously. CYBER CREDIT GURU cleared all negative items from my profile and increased my score from 523 to 805 in less than 8days. I must confess, they are the best. If you are going through similar or worst situation than I did, you can reach out to them via CYBERCREDITGURU AT GMAIL DOT COM or call +1 (650) 239 7249.
Jessica Smith
After being in relationship with Wilson for seven years,he broke up with me, I did everything possible to bring him back but all was in vain, I wanted him back so much because of the love I have for him, I begged him with everything, I made promises but he refused. I explained my problem to someone online and she suggested that I should contact a spell caster that could help me cast a spell to bring him back but I am the type that don’t believed in spell, I had no choice than to try it, I meant a spell caster called Dr Zuma zuk and I email him, and he told me there was no problem that everything will be okay before three days, that my ex will return to me before three days, he cast the spell and surprisingly in the second day, it was around 4pm. My ex called me, I was so surprised, I answered the call and all he said was that he was so sorry for everything that happened, that he wanted me to return to him, that he loves me so much. I was so happy and went to him, that was how we started living together happily again. Since then, I have made promise that anybody I know that have a relationship problem, I would be of help to such person by referring him or her to the only real and powerful spell caster who helped me with my own problem and who is different from all the fake ones out there. Anybody could need the help of the spell caster, his email: spiritualherbalisthealing@gmail.com or WhatsApp him +15068001647 blog: spiritualherbal.blogspot.com you can email him if you need his assistance in your relationship or anything. CONTACT HIM NOW FOR SOLUTION TO ALL YOUR PROBLEMS
Hudson Elizabeth
Advice to save your marriage and get your Ex Boyfriend/girlfriend back ,contact drogagalovespell@gmail.com or WhatsApp +2347059387282 for Urgent effective love Spell to get ex lover back or save you marriage fast and his result is 100% guarantee.
I want to give thanks to Dr Ogaga for bringing back my ex husband. No one could have ever made me believe that the letter I’m about to write would actually one day be written. I was the world’s biggest skeptic. I never believed in magic spells or anything like this, but I was told by a reliable source (a very close co-worker) that Trust is a very dedicated, gifted, and talented person, It was one of the best things I have ever done. My love life was in shambles, I had been through two divorces and was on the brink of a third. I just couldn’t face another divorce, and I wanted to try harder to make our relationship work, but my husband didn’t seem to care. and he brake up with me again. I was confuse and do not no what to do again, rather them to get in contact with Dr Ogaga . He did a love spell that make my husband come back to me. we are now very much happy with our self. Dr Ogaga make him to realize how much we love and need each other. This man is for REAL and for good, he can also help you to fix your broken relationship. I had my husband back! It was like a miracle! He suddenly wanted to go to marriage counseling, and we’re doing very, very well, in our love life. Contact
Email: drogagalovespell@gmail.com OR drogagalovespell@yahoo.com
WhatsApp: +2347059387282
tony cam
I want to share this wonderful testimony to the Good people all over the world on how I was able to Enlarge my Penis by Dr.OSE I was living a shameful life from my young age, just last month as I was browsing on the internet about Penis size and Enlargement Products, I saw a testimony of a Man called George , testifying of how he was able to get his penis Enlarged by Dr.ose and I decided to also Email Dr.ose for my small penis size and he quickly respond to me and gave me the normal instructions which i did and then he shipped the product to me here in the united state which i received in just 3 working days and today i am very happy because i started seeing positive changes in my penis size in just 7 days of use. Dr.OSE herbal product is the best recommended for you and to whomever suffering from this shame or having any other diseases as well should Contact this great herbal doctor via his Email :oseremenspelltemple@gmail.com and WhatsApp Him on +2348136482342 https://www.facebook.com/Dr-odion-spell-temple-110513923938220/
Nitish Kumar
LOTTO, lottery,jackpot.
Hello all my viewers, I am very happy for sharing this great testimonies,The best thing that has ever happened in my life is how I win the lottery euro million mega jackpot. I am a Woman who believe that one day I will win the lottery. finally my dreams came through when I email believelovespelltemple@gmail.com and tell him I need the lottery numbers. I have spend so much money on ticket just to make sure I win. But I never know that winning was so easy until the day I meant the spell caster online which so many people has talked about that he is very great in casting lottery spell, . so I decide to give it a try.I contacted this great Dr Believe and he did a spell and he gave me the winning lottery numbers. But believe me when the draws were out I was among winners. I win 30,000 million Dollar. Dr Believe truly you are the best, all thanks to you forever
Domisa Bells
DR. JOROMI IS TRULY A POWERFUL MAN. Contacting Dr Joromi is the best thing that has ever happened to me. My husband left me for another woman for the reason which i know nothing about. I tried every means to get him back but to no avail, all my efforts proved abortive. I was even contemplating suicide. On a lucky day when i was browsing the internet, i came across some amazing testimonies about Dr. Joromi on how he has helped a lot of people with his powerful love spells. I contacted him and explained all my problems to him and he assured me that he will help me. He told me what to do and assured me that my man will be back in 12 hours. I obeyed him and followed the instructions and to my Greatest surprise, my man called me in 12 hours time just as Dr. Joromi said. Thank you Dr Joromi. May the good God continue to bless you. If you are in need of help please contact Dr Joromi now on his website: https://www.joromispells.com and you can also reach him with his email: Joromispells@gmail.com and here is his WhatsApp number which you can also use to reach him +2348138695387 Thank you Dr Joromi. Thank you once again
Domisa Bells
DR. JOROMI IS TRULY A POWERFUL MAN. Contacting Dr Joromi is the best thing that has ever happened to me. My husband left me for another woman for the reason which i know nothing about. I tried every means to get him back but to no avail, all my efforts proved abortive. I was even contemplating suicide. On a lucky day when i was browsing the internet, i came across some amazing testimonies about Dr. Joromi on how he has helped a lot of people with his powerful love spells. I contacted him and explained all my problems to him and he assured me that he will help me. He told me what to do and assured me that my man will be back in 12 hours. I obeyed him and followed the instructions and to my Greatest surprise, my man called me in 12 hours time just as Dr. Joromi said. Thank you Dr Joromi. May the good God continue to bless you. If you are in need of help please contact Dr Joromi now on his website: https://www.joromispells.com and you can also reach him with his email: Joromispells@gmail.com and here is his WhatsApp number which you can also use to reach him +2348138695387 Thank you Dr Joromi. Thank you once again
Alex Chrissy
DR SAYO HERBAL HEALER HAS THE CURE TO ALL DEADLY DISEASE/VIRUS AND ILLNESS.
Hello everyone, i don’t know the reason why some people is finding it difficult to believe that there is a cure for herpes virus, i was browsing the internet searching for help when i came across lot of testimonies shared by a lot of people on how Dr. sayo cured diabetes, cancer, hiv/aids, fibrold, hsv, pad, hpv, etc…. i was so much in need of getting his treatment so i contacted Dr. sayo and told him i have herpes since last 3 years and then Dr. sayo brought smile to my face with his herbal medicine i am happy that i am cured from herpes with herbal medicine prepared by Dr. sayo the great herbal healer, i am so much happy today that we have someone like this great healer out there, so everyone out there kindly contact this great healer on his email address: sayoherbalhealer@gmail.com or whatsapp him on: +2349012175679
visit his website: http://sayoherbalhome.com/
visit his FB page: https://www.facebook.com/SayoHerbalHealer
please sir keep your good work cause there are people out there who is in need of your healing herbal medicine thank you.
regina kenneth
i want to testify of a great and powerful spell caster my husband left me and the kids for 2 weeks when i called him he didn’t pick up when he came back home the 3rd week he told me he wanted a divorce i was so sad i cried all night he left again i was so lonely the next day i was searching for something online when i found a spell caster called Dr Jumba who have helped so many people with their problems so i contacted him with my problems he told me it will take 24hrs and my husband will be back to me i did everything he told me to do and the next day my husband came back kneeling and begging he canceled the divorce we are now happy together Dr Jumba can help you too Email him at wiccalovespelltools@gmail.com, whatsapp : +19085174108 or check out his website : https://drjumbaspellhome.wordpress.com
Ashley Vivian
My name is Ashley Vivian, Am here to share a testimony on how Dr Raypower helped me. After a 1/5 year relationship with my boyfriend, he changed suddenly and stopped contacting me regularly, he would come up with excuses of not seeing me all the time. He stopped answering my calls and my sms and he stopped seeing me regularly. I then started catching him with different girls several times but every time he would say that he loved me and that he needed some time to think about our relationship. But I couldn’t stop thinking about him so I decided to go online and I saw so many good talks about this spell caster called Dr Raypower and I contacted him and explained my problems to him. He cast a love spell for me which I use and after 24 hours, my boyfriend came back to me and started contacting me regularly and we moved in together after a few months and he was more open to me than before and he started spending more time with me than his friends. We eventually got married and we have been married happily for 3 years with a son. Ever since Dr Raypower helped me, my partner is very stable, faithful and closer to me than before. You can also contact this spell caster and get your relationship fixed Email: urgentspellcast@gmail.com or urgentspellcast@yahoo.com see more reviews about him on his website: https://urgentspellcast.wordpress.com/ WhatsApp: +1 (424) 330-8109
williams pater
Hello everyone i Am williams pater and i am from USA i am here to give my testimony about an herbal doctor called Dr,olu I was heartbroken because i had very small penis,not nice to satisfy a woman, i have been in so many relationship, but cut off because of my situation, i have used so many product which doctors prescribe for me, but could not offer me the help i searched for. i saw some few comments on the internet about this specialist called Dr,OLU and decided to email him on his email i saw on the internet,(drolusolutionhome@gmail.com ) so I decided to give his herbal product a try. i emailed him and he got back to me, he gave me some comforting words with his herbal product for Penis Enlargement, Within three weeks of me use it, i began to feel the enlargement, " and now it just 4 weeks of using his products my penis is about 8 inches longer, and i had to settle thing out with my ex girlfriend , i was surprised when she said that she is satisfied with my performance in bed and i now have a large penis.thanks to DR OLU for is herbal product. you can also reach him with emsil drolusolutionhome@gmail.com though is..number WHATASPP him today on this number [ +2348140654426 ]
emgFCWJIOj
bXxGuvlac
pqSshLYiObXBUe
hvxcjrywaYoVt
Leave a comment
Designed and Developed By Seller’s Choice
Elisa Keily
October 05, 2021
Hello everyone, my name is Elisa Keily I am so overwhelmed with joy all thanks to Dr Raypower spell. my husband left me for another woman few years back and I was very devastated cause I never did anything wrong to him, I was left with my two kid and a job that pays little.i was almost giving up until I saw a testimony online about Dr Raypower and I decided to contact him.i explained my problem to him and he assured me I’ll see a positive result after 24hurs, surprisingly my husband came back the day after the spell begging me to forgive him and promised to never leave. My husband has been back for 6 months now and we’ve never had any issues, am glad I didn’t doubt Dr Raypower cause he sure can solve any problems with fast relief you can also contact him for help now
Email: Urgentspellcast@gmail.com or Urgentspellcast@yahoo.com
Website: https://urgentspellcast.wordpress.com/
WhatsApp: +14243308109