Keeping your car clean is one of the most important things to do to maintain its longevity, efficiency, and safety.
Caring for your car requires a little bit of time, effort, and know-how, as well as some necessary equipment to keep it fresh.
Follow these simple tips and tricks to keep up with that.
Protect Your Car Seats and Upholstery
Your car’s seats and upholstery are at risk to soil and stains from food and drink, grease and oil, ink and dye, rust, and dirt particles. Protect your upholstered seats with slip-on seat covers – these covers capture crumbs, spills, even pet hair as it falls off coats or kennels. One other option is using a protector for your car seats so consider looking at a guide to using Scotchgard for your interior. Use seat protectors on your car seats, too, to keep stains from forming and penetrating the material. Remove spills with a towel or cloth as soon as they happen – never rub! This can create discolouration that worsens over time. To prevent splash-back from rain, make sure to clean all windows before you drive.
Water Spots on Your Car Windows
You can use an old toothbrush to get rid of water spots on your car windows. Just be sure to dip it in the bucket with the windshield washer fluid and then scrub away any film. Avoid using hot water when cleaning your car’s interior – it could shrink or warp upholstery, or damage leather. If you do use hot water, make sure to dry the area with a hair-dryer set on low heat.
Caring for Your Dashboard and Plastic Components
Over time, your dashboard’s material may begin to fade or look dusty. To keep it shiny, spray some nonstick cooking oil onto your dashboard and wipe it with a paper towel. You can also use your car’s wax to keep the upholstery from cracking or breaking down. When you wax your car, make sure to apply it in long strokes to minimize swirl marks and scratches – these little details are very noticeable when it comes to showing quality polish jobs. An important part of maintaining your dashboard and plastic components is making sure they’re clean and free of cracks and chips. Spots that are filled with dirt can cause cracking to spread, or for your car’s material to wear down unevenly. Keeping them clean will help lengthen their lifespan.
Keep Your Car Clean from the Outside In
A good way to maintain your car’s exterior is to wash it once or twice a week with soapy water. Ensure all the soap is rinsed off before your car dries to avoid spotting – you can use an old towel to remove any excess water. Make sure to start at the top and work your way down, using long strokes across the body of your car. It is also important to wash the tires and rims so they don’t look dirty and worn. If you want to save money on car-cleaning products, consider using vinegar: it is a great degreaser and will remove dirt and stone chips from your car’s body.
Using Powdered Cleaners
Powdered cleaners are recommended for cleaning your car because they don’t dissolve in water. You can use a powdered cleaner with a sponge and be sure to scrub it all over the body of your car for 20-30 seconds per section before rinsing and wiping off excess water with a towel. Powdered cleaners work well on cars that are regularly exposed to environmental contaminants so consider using them if you live in an area with high levels of smog, pollution, dirt roads, or nearby airports. You can also use powdered cleaners to keep your car’s rims and tires looking good.
Long-Term Car Care
Protecting your car by starting each season off right is one way to prevent damage from elements like rust and heat. You can start by using a water-resistant silicone sealant to protect your car’s paint, plastic components, and glass surfaces from harsh weather elements like rain and snow. It’s important to remove all of the wax from your car before you apply this spray because it will ruin any existing coatings. Apply the silicone sealant in an even coat (two thin coats, instead of one heavy one) to keep it from dripping. For long-term car care, it is also important to consider regular visits to the mechanic and cleaning your car regularly from any unnecessary junk.
There are many steps you can take to maintain your car so it will last longer, look great, and perform at its best. From cleaning the interior to protecting the exterior, there are many things you can do to help keep your ride in tip-top shape.
