Let’s face it – regular trips to local car washes can tend to be an expensive affair – but we’ve got you covered! We’ve got the top car wash tips that will have your vehicle shining and pristine in no time – and save a few bucks while you’re at it! Here are the many tried and tested methods you can use to keep your car looking great all the time, approved by professional car wash experts across the country.
This blog has been updated on May 16, 2021.
Cleaning your car’s exterior
We can’t stress this more – wash your car regularly! This is one fool-proof method to making sure dirt and debris don’t collect and harden over time on your car’s surface. Make sure you wash off any dirt, bird droppings, mud, or grime that may have accumulated on your car as soon as you notice it. Letting the crud build up and being lazy about cleaning it up might leave your car’s paint job with hard-to-remove blemishes.
If it’s a quick exterior wash you’re looking at getting, you could try one of your local automated car washes. Fair warning, though. Pro car wash detailers suggest that these types of car washes can cause swirl marks on your vehicle’s surface, damaging the paint over time. You’re better off washing the car’s exterior yourself – just make sure you’re using the right gear.
A two-bucket system:
Always use two buckets of water while washing your car – one filled with the car wash soap solution and the other to collect the dirty water and rinse out your sponge or mitt. Dip your mitt into the soapy solution first, clean your car and then dunk it in the second bucket to rinse or wring it out. Start from the top of the car and work your way downwards – the most dirt tends to accumulate towards the bottom half of your vehicle.
Wash mitts over sponges:
Using a car-specific wash mitt or microfiber towel while washing your vehicle can go a long way in helping protect the exterior. They hold a ton of soapy water and are super easy to wring out after having soaked up all the dirt. Sponges, on the other hand, allow for dirt to get caught between it and the car’s paint, resulting in minute (but noticeable over time) scratches.
Picking the right hose:
Struggling with a rather difficult to move around hose can be a nightmare. From avoiding getting the hose tangled around the tires to strengthening weak water pressure, choosing the right hose is a necessity. Add to that a handy nozzle with multiple spray settings and you’re good to go – what’s more, these hoses and nozzles work just as well in your garden or when you’re out in the yard.
Cleaning your car’s interior
Start by picking up and disposing of what you can reach – candy wrappers, soda cans, empty bags, and take out the floor mats. Follow that up with a thorough vacuum of the car’s interior – portable handheld vacuum cleaners are perfect for this purpose and work efficiently to keep your car dust and debris free. Most of these portable vacuum cleaners come with a host of extensions, brushes, and nozzles that ensure you’ll get access to all those nooks and crannies. Remember to move your car seats forward and back to get underneath the carpet.
Keeping your dashboard neat is a pretty straightforward process – if there’s minimal dust, simply use a microfiber cloth or gently wipe with a moist towelette or cloth. You could also choose to use a spray-on car interior cleaner that will leave the dash looking shiny and leave behind a slightly waxy surface. Getting rid of any unpleasant odors is simple enough – just use a traditional scented air freshener, potpourri, or a deodorizer. Some of these deodorizers come with an activated charcoal setting that deals with the strongest odors and can be plugged into your car’s power socket.
Websites and apps like Way.com offer professional and top-rated car wash services at great prices. What’s more, the whole family can get in on the sudsy action thanks to Way.com’s Carwash Voucher and Family Car Wash Pass that can be used on multiple (that’s right, multiple) vehicles!
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