There’s no doubt that regular car washes can help you maintain your car better. Sounds easy, right? But in reality, it can be quite the opposite. A perfect car wash is not child’s play – especially if you are doing it yourself in your driveway. You need to use proper car wash techniques and have the necessary equipment at your disposal to wash your car efficiently. A slight error in judgment can cause irreparable damage to your car. Don’t fret, though. We have you covered, as always! In this post, we’re listing the top 3 car wash dos and don’ts you can employ while cleaning your car. Keep reading to know more.
Car Wash Don’ts
Don’t use old rags or sponges
Don’t use old shirts, sponges, and rags to clean your car just because they are easily accessible. Although they may appear harmless to use, these items are made of abrasive materials and can cause scratches on your car’s paintwork. We’d highly recommend using microfiber towels to clean and dry your car. Microfiber towels are made of softer materials and are gentler on your car’s clear coat.
Don’t follow a circular motion
Do not follow a circular motion while washing or drying your car. The chances of causing micro-scratches on your car are high when cleaning the car in a circular motion. Car wash experts recommend moving your washing mitt or towel in a straight line or following a Z-pattern while cleaning.
Don’t use a dishwashing liquid or detergent
Way too many car owners make the mistake of using dishwashing liquid or detergent to clean their cars. Remember, dishwashing liquids and detergents can strip the protective wax off your car’s body and, worse, permanently ruin its finish. Instead, we highly recommend that you use a dedicated car wash cleaning product to get your car spotless.
Car Wash Dos
Use two buckets
Most car owners commit the mistake of using just one bucket while washing their car. Car wash experts, however, recommend using two buckets of water while washing your car. Fill a bucket with a solution of car wash soap and use the other bucket to collect the dirty water and rinse out your mitt. Dip your mitt into the bucket with soap solution, clean your car, and dunk it in the second bucket to rinse or wring it out. This method ensures that the mitt is dirt-free after you wring it out – this eliminates the risk of dragging the dirt back onto the car’s body.
Work on one section at a time
Before you start cleaning your car, in your mind, divide your vehicle into different sections. By working on one section at a time, you can wash and dry it with care without causing water spots. Also, use different microfiber towels while cleaning these sections. There’s a high chance of inflicting scratches on the car’s body if you use the same microfiber towel for all the sections.
Visit an automatic car wash near you
If you’re unsure of the hand car wash method or find it too complicated, you can always use the Way.com app to find a car wash near you. Some car owners avoid automatic car washes, thinking these facilities cause swirl marks. However, in reality, car owners’ improper hand car wash techniques are the main reasons for scratches and swirl marks on a car. If you’re looking for a top-rated automatic car wash near you that employs the best techniques to clean your vehicle, then look no further than Way.com for professional and top-rated car wash services at great prices.
Renée Martin is a travel and car expert who focuses on road and air travel in the U.S. For the past 6 years, she’s been helping make driving and trip planning easier and budget-friendly for everyday travelers.
