How To Keep Your Car Clean

If you drive your vehicle on a regular basis, inevitably it will start to get dirty over time both inside and out. Here is some advice on how to keep your car clean.

Exterior Wash

I recommend an automatic wash for convenience. There are many different kinds of washes and some do better than others. When given the option of different wash options, I recommend the basic. After exiting the wash, I recommend parking and then using a clean rag to wipe down the car and do a little detailing.

Even the best exterior washes will not get everything and often they will leave water or soap suds on the car so wiping it down afterward will help with these issues. I recommend starting with the windows, mirrors, and lights, then the main body of the car, then inside the door sills and trunk, and finally the wheels. The wheels tend to attract the most dirt and are most difficult to clean.

Also, you may want to open the hood and do a little cleaning around the engine every so often. Make sure the car is turned off first and take extra caution because the engine can be hot. Also be careful about cleaning around hoses and wires so you do not knock anything loose. Remove any leaves or twigs that may have gotten into the engine area or the vents.

If it has been a while since you did a good cleaning, it can seem like a lot of work, but the more often you do a wash, the easier it will get. I recommend trying to wash it about once a week or so. I try to keep an eye on the weather forecast and wash it when there are going to be several clear days ahead.

Interior Clean

First remove anything that you don't need, especially if there is any garbage. Once everything is out of the way, you can do a vacuum of the floors, seats, and trunk. Take the floor mats out to clean under them as well.

I also recommend taking a dusting cloth or a damp cloth to wipe down the dashboard as well as the seats and any flat surfaces within the interior. Also wipe down parts such as the steering wheel and shifter which tend to get dirty from normal use over time.

The inside of the windows can also develop a film or cloudiness over time. Use a glass cleaner and a clean cloth or paper towel to wipe down the insides of the windows.

Once the inside is clean you can put your things back in if there is anything that needs to be stored in the car. Ideally, there should not be too many items visible in the car. Make use of storage areas such as the glove compartment, arm rest, or under the seats if you need to keep anything in the car. Over time, keep the car organized. If you bring something into the car, make sure to take it out when you are done or when you back home.

For the trunk, a box or container can help to keep everything organized and secure so there is open space for other things when needed.

Other Tips:

Avoid eating in the car. It can be tempting, but try to avoid eating in the car as it can lead to spills and crumbs that can be hard to clean up.

If you have a garage, keeping the car in the garage can help keep it clean especially in harsh weather such as snow and rain.

Make sure your shoes are clean before you get in. If they are dirty or snowy, try to shake them off as much as possible before getting in. Make sure you have good floor mats to help protect the inside floor and be sure to vacuum the mats on a regular basis.

The use of a seat cover can help protect the seat from wear and dirt. It does not have to be anything fancy, for example a t-shirt can be used as a seat cover to help protect the material.

Following these tips can help keep your car clean all year round. It can also make driving more enjoyable and help keep up the value of your vehicle!