If you’re anything like us, you might understand the feeling of having your life together when your car is squeaky clean. Ah, the smell of a freshly polished dashboard, the sheen of your windows and that feeling of blissful luxury…
Anyway, where were we?
We’ve hunted down these 7 expert tips on how to wash your car at home so that you can keep your car clean and sparkly whilst also saving money! Let’s d(r)ive right in!
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How to wash your car at home
1. Find the best tools for the job
The right tools can make the job so much easier so make sure you have the following for the exterior:
- a hose with variable nozzles
- a soft sponge and/or car wash mitt
- some car washing liquid
- a wheel brush
- several microfibre cloths and at least one large microfiber towel for drying
And you’ll need the following for the interior:
- a vacuum cleaner for the interior
- rubber gloves
- wheel cleaner
- paper towels
- window cleaner
Pro tip: Do not use hand soap or dishwashing liquid to clean your car’s exterior. Proper car cleaners ensure that dislodged grit doesn’t scratch your car’s paint, and they’re gentle enough so they don’t remove existing wax.
To make your life a lot easier, we suggest using TWO buckets. This way you aren’t rinsing a dirty sponge in clean water. When you use the same bucket, you’re not removing the dirt – you’re just putting the same dirt right back on the car and spreading it around. So, use one bucket for your clean water and a second one for thoroughly rinsing out that dirty sponge.
2. Think about your location and the weather
Did you know it’s not always the best idea to wash your car on a warm sunny day?
Warm and sunny days often dry your car far too quickly which means your car is left with spots or wipe marks on the paintwork and windows.
So when should you wash your car then? The best time is probably an overcast, slightly cooler day.
3. Your tyres are important too
Now that you have steps 1 and 2 sorted, it’s time to start on your tyres. Your car’s wheels collect the most dirt that you don’t want on any other parts of your car so it’s best to start there. For the best tyre clean, invest in a good tyre cleaning product which is water-based, and non-corrosive. Make sure you get your sponge into all those grooves!
4. The best way to clean the exterior
The first step is to hose off any dirt that may scratch the car’s surface, such as bird droppings, dead insects, excess dust, and tree sap.
Divide your car into sections and scrub-a-dub-dub! Rinse off all the soap once you’ve given it a good clean. Drying your car is very important once you’ve cleaned it, so you don’t have leftover watermarks. Using a large microfibre towel will absorb more and help dry the car quickly.
5. Sparkling windows and mirrors are a must
Having clean windows and mirrors makes your car gleam, but most importantly, they are important for safety. Firstly, standard glass and tinted glass need to be cleaned in different ways.
Cleaning non-tinted glass is fairly straightforward – a trusty glass cleaner and paper towel combination should get the job done. Tinted glass, on the other hand, requires soapy water and a soft microfibre cloth to avoid damaging the film. Gently clean your side mirrors so you don’t risk damaging them in any way.
6. Don’t forget the interior
By now you might be thinking, “no one’s going to see the inside but me or it’s just going to get messy from the kids again, so what’s the point?”
Don’t give up now, you’re almost there! To clean the interior of your car, remove any rubbish from your car (anyone else have a thousand old slips in the side of their door?), as well as any loose bits so they don’t get sucked up by the vacuum cleaner. Vacuum very carefully so you get into every section of your car.
Grab a dusting cloth for cleaning air vents and other hard to reach places in your vehicle. Finally use a small brush and soapy water to clean your vehicle’s pedals, remember to place a towel down first to protect your carpet.
7. Don’t waste your efforts – keep your car clean
After all that work, it would be best to try and keep your car clean for as long as possible. We know your car will inevitably get dirty again but it’s important to consider where you park your vehicle. Try to park away from trees to avoid any unwanted bird poop or tree sap. It’s also a good idea to avoid eating or drinking messy foods in your car.
If you are washing your car yourself, it is recommended to wash it once a week, especially if it gets dirty quickly. The dirtier a car gets, the harder it is to clean each time.
We hope these tips have you cleaning your car like a pro in no time! And while you’re at it, make sure you have comprehensive Car Insurance with Oneplan (that’s us) so that your sparkly clean car is protected on the road.
Your Insurance Family,
Oneplan
