Do you own a car? If so, then you know that they can get dirty over time. Even if you keep your car clean, the interior and exterior will start to show wear. You might be surprised to find out that there are some effective car cleaning tips to wash your car by hand at home.
If you want to keep your car looking clean without having to pay someone else to wash your car, here are some great car cleaning tips at home. These tips will help you clean your car without having to hire someone to do the job for you.
Cleaning your vehicle’s exterior
Whether you want to clean the exterior of your car yourself or hire someone else to do it, you’re going to need a bucket, a sponge, some water, and car soap. You might also want to invest in an old toothbrush, which will come in handy when scrubbing out hard-to-reach places like doorways or underneath car doors.
First up is washing the exterior of your vehicle. Use straight soap (don’t use dishwashing liquid or soap!) with warm water for this task since it’s not recommended that you use something acidic like apple cider vinegar on the body of your car.
After scrubbing down your vehicle with car soap and water, apply some wax or polish using another sponge (such as an old dish sponge). You might have to cut the sponge if it’s too big so that it fits in all of the nooks and crannies. Now go over your vehicle with a soft cloth to wipe away any excess wax.
Cleaning your car’s windows
There are some great window cleaners out there, but you can also make your own without spending much money at all. Using vinegar or rubbing alcohol, there are two ways that you could do this. First, there is mixing one part white vinegar with three parts water in a spray bottle for an inexpensive homemade glass cleaner.
The other option is using rubbing alcohol (yes, even if it isn’t for internal use!). Mix one part rubbing alcohol to four parts water in a spray bottle, then shake it up well before using.
After you’ve sprayed your car’s windows with either vinegar or a rubbing alcohol mixture, use another soft cloth to wipe the glass until it shines. You’ll want to avoid leaving any streaks behind!
Waxing your vehicle
Let’s face it, some of us are too busy to make time for waxing our vehicles at least once every year or two. If this sounds like something that applies to you, don’t worry because there are other ways you can keep your car looking its best without investing in all-new paint jobs. No matter if you have an older or newer model vehicle, take cues from professional detailers and use a product like Plexus to keep your paint job looking fresh.
Plexus is an all-in-one cleaner, polisher, and wax that will add shine to your vehicle’s exterior (without having to worry about streaks or scratches) without investing in new products. And you can pick up two 16 oz. Bottles of Plexus for under $20 on Amazon!
Also read: What Happened to Liquid Glass Auto Polish?
Cleaning the inside of your vehicle
The best way to clean your vehicle’s interior is with an upholstery cleaner, which usually comes in a spray bottle that makes it easy to apply. In addition, have a bucket of warm water nearby so that it’s ready when needed. Before using the upholstery cleaner on your vehicle’s seats or carpets, take the time to read all of the instructions that come with the product.
Don’t just jump in and start spraying!
After you’ve finished reading all of the instructions thoroughly, it’s time for action! First up, tackle your vehicle’s seats. Use a damp cloth to clean them instead of using water from a hose or bucket, since this could cause more harm than good. Use the cleaning brush that comes with the upholstery cleaner to scrub out any stains on your vehicle’s seats or carpets. You can also use an old toothbrush for this task if needed. Then, let the car dry completely before applying any new upholstery cleaner or putting anything back in your vehicle.
Wipe down vinyl surfaces:
Cleaning your dashboard isn’t just about getting rid of unsightly rings, but it’s also about killing germs. Did you know that your dashboard can get up to 100 times dirtier than the average toilet seat? Not only is it unsightly, but all of those bacteria are being transferred onto your hands every time you touch the surface.
To keep things clean, wipe down your car’s interior surfaces with car cleaning wipes or a solution made from half water and half white vinegar every week or so. This not only gets rid of any dirt or dust that has built up, but also kills off any germs that have taken residence on those surfaces. Another option is to use a microfiber cloth moistened with either distilled water (which you could buy in bulk) or one part rubbing alcohol mixed with three parts water.
If you’re lucky enough to have leather car seats, take note because there are some great tips and tricks for keeping them clean and looking new:
Leather care products If you know what kind of material your car seat is made of, it might be worth it to purchase something specially-designed for cleaning and conditioning leather. When shopping around, try opting for products that are made specifically to be used on seats (like Lexol’s Leather Conditioner ), rather than cleaners that can be used on multiple surfaces.
Vinegar
Don’t use vinegar on your car seat if you’re worried about ruining its color, but it will work well to remove tough stains. Pour some white vinegar onto an old cloth or sponge (like an old dish cloth) and let it sit for several minutes, then scrub until the stain is gone.
Toothpaste
For smaller stains like those caused by juice or soda, you might want to try using toothpaste. Toothpaste has mild abrasives in it that will work to remove those set-in stains. Just be sure that you use a paste, not a gel!
Baking soda
Try using baking soda instead of toothpaste for those tough-to-remove stains. Simply apply some baking soda to an old toothbrush and scrub away at the stain.
Vacuuming and cleaning your car seats with liners
If you don’t have time to clean your car’s leather seats regularly, it might be worth it to invest in seat covers or even custom car seat liners. These will make cleaning up spills and messes much easier.
Some More Tips for Detailing Your Car
Sure, you’re probably busy and don’t have time to detail your car like a pro would (and no, there’s no shame in that!). But if you try one or two of these tips when it comes to detailing your ride, you’ll be able to maintain its appearance without having to pay for costly services.
Use the right product:
What products you use is important. Keeping things clean isn’t only about using the right tools; it’s also about choosing the right products. Avoid harsh chemicals and store-bought cleaners that can damage paint jobs and strip wax. Instead, use items like vinegar and baking soda whenever possible and apply them with soft rags rather than rough sponges.
Use only car-specific products:
You might be tempted to just stick with the household and automotive items that you’ve always used, but why not try something designed specifically for cars? These car cleaning products are formulated to work on surfaces like paint jobs, and they’re often safer than their traditional counterparts.
For example, instead of grabbing a rag soaked in bleach when trying to get rid of tough set-in stains, opt for car cleaning kits or a product like Turtle Wax’s Tar and Bug Remover. You’ll still need to put some elbow grease into your cleaning efforts, but it won’t damage your car’s exterior.
Video with some more hand car wash tips:
Conclusion
With these tips under your belt, you’ll be able to clean up your car without having to spend hours struggling through the task or dropping a ton of cash on products and services. All it takes is a little time, some elbow grease, and the right tools—plus these helpful car cleaning tips!
So what do you guys think? With tips like these under your belt, how long would it take to clean up the exterior of your car? Do you have any personal recommendations for other car cleaning items that should be added here? Let us know in the comments below!
