Keeping Your Car Clean
Keeping a clean car is not only important for aesthetic purposes; it can also help to make you a better driver. If the interior of your vehicle is cluttered and untidy, it may distract you from the road. So here are a few tips on how to keep your car in the best condition, keeping it as something to be proud of:
The Interior
You should aim to fully clean the interior of your car, at least once a month. This should ensure that your vehicle is kept in a relatively clean state at all times. However, if any spillages or muddy foot-prints do occur before your monthly clean, these should be taken care of immediately to retain a calm driving environment. Always make sure you have some wipes handy, just in case there is an accident along the way.
- You should vacuum the interior of your car, at least, once a month – more often if the vehicle is used excessively on a regular basis. You should use a relatively small vacuum cleaner – so that you can properly clean all of the hard to reach places. Ensure that you thoroughly clean the seats, reaching down between any cushions or armrests and make sure you remove all floor mats to vacuum underneath them, as well the mats themselves.
- Although vacuuming is great for a quick clean-up, all fabrics in your vehicle should be properly shampooed – or sprayed and conditioned, in the case of leather seating and other furnishings - on a regular basis This will help to rid your car of ugly odours and prevent the build-up of germs and grime. It is important that you choose the correct cleaner for the fabric of your upholstery - there are plenty of options to make-sure that you get the best clean for your car.
- There are many products, ranging from wipes to sprays and formulas, which are specifically designed to clean the dashboard of your car. These products may be purchased quite cheaply and can be used to clean both matt and gloss surfaces. These are the perfect way to clean-up after any spills, or even just clearing dust. However, it is not advised that you use one of these “Car Trim Cleaner” to clean your steering wheel, as it may cause it to become greasy and difficult to grip.
- Ensure that you use a proper glass-cleaner for all windows and mirrors, both inside and out. It might also be a good idea to use an anti-fog variety, of glass-cleaner, to help prevent your windows from misting up in cold weather.
The Exterior
There is nothing wrong with taking your car to a mechanical car-wash, every now and then. However it is always worth the time and effort to wash your vehicle by hand, to ensure that it is cleaned thoroughly. As with the interior, the exterior of your car should be cleaned, at least, once a month – if you frequently use a mechanical car wash, then you should consider washing your vehicle by hand every three months. If it has bee raining, or you have driven through a muddy area, it is advisable that you clean off the dirt as soon as possible – even if your can is not due for a clean.
- Waxing your car on a regular basis will help to protect the paintwork and fights against rust. Drive-through waxes might be more convenient than the time consuming D.I.Y option, however waxing by hand achieves a much better effect – and doesn't leave spots of wax and smeared windows.
- It is important to take care when finding the correct cloth to use. Obviously you might not wish to pay some of the top prices just for a piece of material, however it is worth remembering that some of the cheaper choices may damage or scratch your car.
- There are many different types and strengths of wheel cleaner on the market, which may be specified to fit your need. It is recommended that you get a simple cleaner for a quick shine-up and a stronger version for the tougher stains.
- To make your car look as good as new, it is a good idea to spend a little extra time cleaning and waxing your bumpers. This is the easiest way to update a tired looking car – especially if you use coloured wax to buff up sun-bleached areas.
- If your cars colour is beginning to look a little faded, you might wish to look into a "finish restorer". This will remove a light layer of paint to bring your vehicles colouring back to its bright 'new-car' look. However, this is not to be used on a regular basis as excessive use may damage your paintwork.
- If your car gets excessively dirty on a regular basis, rather than spending hours at a time trying to clean the grime off of it, you may wish to invest in a pressure washer. This will help to remove all of the tough areas of dirt and make your job far simpler.