How to Make Your Car Spic and Span

If you’re one to drive your car around with a thick coating of dust, you may want to think again. You’re not just inviting some people to write all sorts of graffiti on the soot; the dirt will create minuscule scratches, gradually damaging your car’s paint or protective coating.

Going to a car wash station is an option, but if money is tight, you might not want to do this too often. Cleaning a car is actually simple. Just follow this guide:

INTERIORS

• Vacuum the interiors before washing the exterior. Remember to vacuum under the seats, moving the front seats all the way back and later all the way front to maximize your efforts.
• Using a clean cloth, wipe away traces of dust from the dashboard and steering wheel.
• In between cleaning days, use handy wipes and a small broom and pan for quick cleaning jobs.

EXTERIOR

• Hose down the dirtiest parts of your car first: the wheels, windows, and windshield wipers. Give wheel wells a good clean with a wheel brush and don’t forget the underside of your hubcaps.
• Side windows should be rolled down and their top edges wiped of grime. Use separate sponges for cleaning these parts and the car body, as the abrasive dirt here will scratch the paint on your car.
• To prevent scratches, always make sure your sponge or wash mitt is clean.
• Try using one pail of soapy water for each side of your vehicle, one for the left and one for the right. This cuts the amount of dirt that will find its way back to your car via the wash solution. You may use a special car shampoo instead of mild dishwashing liquid to take out grease and strip off car wax.
• Prevent soapy streaks by giving your car a good rinse before drying, remembering parts like door handles, gas cap covers, and the inside of sideview mirrors.
• Minimize water spots by mopping up the car exterior with an old towel made of 100-percent cotton. Fold over portions as soon as they get damp, using the drier parts of the towel to absorb water. A chamois will come in handy for spots you missed.
• Wash and/or wax your car in a shady spot as the car finish can soften in the heat of the day and get scratched as you clean. Washing in direct sunlight will also dry out water and wax more rapidly, causing streaks. If you don’t have a shady spot, you can wash your car in the early morning, at dusk, or in the evening.
• When waxing, straight lines using a back-and-forth motion work best.
• Make your tires look brand-new by applying tire black. You can get a bottle at auto supply shops or mall hardware stores.
• And since the kids helped make a mess of the car, they can help keep it clean too. You can make carwash days fun by dressing them in swimsuits, keeping towels and bathrobes handy. Involving your children in taking care of the family vehicle will not only teach them a little responsibility; it will also give them a better appreciation for the care it takes to have a clean car for them to ride in.

I also have links to my other articles through my blogs: Sharing my Thoughts and Lifestyle Magazine for Moms

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