
There’s nothing better than having a professionally cleaned vehicle. If it’s part and parcel of the maintenance process for your vehicle or getting your car ready to sell, washing your vehicle can be a breeze to complete at home, too!
If you employ the correct method and equipment, washing your car on a regular basis will safeguard your vehicle and ensure it looks its top. It can also help stop the smallest damage from being apparent which can help maintain the value of your vehicle, as well as making your car appear better for longer.
Here are a few of our best ways to wash your vehicle at your home.
1. Cleaning tools are required
It is important to assess how well your vehicle is in good condition vehicle before you clean it. This will assist you decide on the type of cleaning products you’ll require when you wash your car.
Ideally, cleaning supplies are required to include:
- A hose that has variable nozzle
- A soft sponge or car wash mitt
- Car wash liquid
- Several microfibre cloths
- A single (or two or) large towels made of microfiber to dry.
- Three buckets, one for water that is clean One for dirty water and another filled with water and cleaning solutions specially designed for your wheels.
There are other things you may require:
- A vacuum cleaner for the inside
- Rubber gloves
- Wheel cleaner
- Paper towels
- Window cleaner
However, I believe it would be very difficult to determine that, so if you make use of the most efficient car cleaning kit where you’ll receive all the tools you need all in one place, you might find it easier for you to do it. Before you apply any product to your vehicle, make sure you know what’s included inside the product you are planning to apply. Certain car cleaning products are all-purpose , and can harm the paint, coating or other finishes.
An older vehicle may require an effective cleaning routine using clays, waxes and polishes to safeguard the paint, whereas a more recent vehicle may have a sturdy clear coat that’s not damaged. Car cleaners are made to stop any loose dirt and grime from damaging your car’s paint, in addition, they’re soft enough to ensure that they don’t damage the coat of paint.
#2: Where do you clean your vehicle
Although it could be tempting to clean your car on the warm and sunny days it is actually a common error.
It’s generally accepted among professionals who detail your cars that you should never clean your vehicle in the direct light of the sun. Soap, water and cleaning supplies will dry quickly in sunlight leaving swirl marks and spots on your windows and paintwork.
Instead, you can attempt to clean your car on an cloudy day, on a cool, dry surface using the help of a spray bottle. You might also want to park your vehicle somewhere with a flat surface so that you can have ample space to open the doors.
#3: Cleaning the wheel
First, you must begin by cleaning the dirtiest parts of your vehicle typically the wheels. Clean your tyres in a separate manner using fresh buckets of water in order to prevent spreading the grime and dirt onto the paintwork of your car.
Make sure you have a tyre cleaner along with a microfiber fabric, a sponge that is separate and a tyre-specific cleaning solution prior to washing your wheels.
Non-corrosive, water-based wheel cleaners are suitable for all types of automobile wheels. They’re the most safe option when it comes to cleaning products for tyres. It is then possible to paint your wheels with the cleaning solution you choose. The solution should rest for a few hours before you scrub the dirt off your tyres with a tyre brush.
Make sure to wash your wheels with clean, cold water to get rid of the cleaner from your wheels. After you’ve cleaned the wheels, be sure to dry them using an unclean microfibre cloth.
#4: Clean the headlights
Don’t forget to clean your headlights as well. Headlights that have been damaged by sun and dirt may begin to fade with time and make them less efficient on the road, and altering the appearance of a well-maintained car.
For cleaning your headlights, you can clean them with the aid of a cleaner and then wipe them with a damp cloth after you’ve finished. Apply a protective coating to make sure your headlights are restored after washing.
#5: Clean the exterior
Cleaning the exterior of your vehicle can assist in getting rid of any dust, dirt or mud. This can keep any scratches from happening to the paint of your vehicle too.
Clean every part of the vehicle (moving from the top to the bottom) to get rid of larger particles of dirt. Make sure to make use of soapy water from a clean bucket to clean the body of your car! If you want to wash off the soapy water, it’s recommended using a hose that does not have an fitting. With a low pressure this kind of hose can allow water to flow easily down from above your car down (this is known as the sheeting technique).
Dry off your vehicle with a big microfiber towel or chamois prior to going on to the next step. Be aware that your vehicle must be dry prior to applying any protective coating or wax.
#6: Clean the glass and windows
Cleaning the windows and glass inside your vehicle will not only provide an attractive exterior, but will can also let you be able to drive in peace without having to look into the window.
It’s crucial to remember that tinted and standard glass require cleaning in various methods. You should make use of window cleaners that are designed specifically for windows in cars instead of products such as Windex that can be rough on the car’s exterior surface.
When cleaning your windows it’s recommended to spray the cleaning solution directly onto the surface, then wipe it off with a microfibre cloth to prevent the spray from drips. Then repeat the process on the inside of your vehicle too. It is best not to park in the sunlight while cleaning your windshields and windows to ensure that the cleaner will not evaporate, leaving an unpleasant smudge or sticky residue.
#7: Clean the inside
We’ve all experienced how difficult it can be to keep the interior of a car spotless when you have kids or pets, maintaining the inside of your car may be neglected.
Here are a few steps you can take to wash the interior of your car:
- Remove all trash out of the car (this is also on the ground under the mats, and under the seat cushions).
- Take your floor mats out from the vehicle and shake them to remove dust or dirt. You can clean them using hot water and soap. Then let them air dry completely before putting them back in place.
- Vacuum the back and front seats and the floor, as well as under the pedals, as well as the door panels on the sides.
- Clean up dust, dirt and grime using microfiber cloths or cleaning wipes. Spray a tiny amount of car-specific cleaner on the console, the steering wheel and in between the car seats.
- Clean your cup holders by using cloths for cleaning or a Swab that has been dipped in cleaning solution.
- Clean up spills on the carpets and seats using an specialized cleaning solution Then wipe them clean using an emollient cloth.
- You can also use a paint stirrer , which is then wrapped in the final part with a microfibre fabric to reach those difficult-to-access areas between the seats as well as around the central console.
If you’re a car owner, you’re probably constantly looking for the most effective vehicle interior cleansers that will keep the car tidy and fresh. If the other cleaners can’t take away dust, dirt and grime, then this is definitely the best choice!
After washing
Once your car is cleaned and washed, the next step is to apply the shine as well as protection.
The next steps could comprise:
- The surface must be prepared Use clay bars to eliminate suborn spots and any wax that was put on.
- Repare scratches Fill in smaller scratches and scuffs with a smooth coating of wax. You can also use scratch-specific repair products for more severe scratches.
- Polishing for more gloss This procedure is not mandatory and is an excellent option for those looking for an extra-gloss finish that will make the paint of your vehicle appear like the reflection of a mirror.
- Wax to shield Wax provides an anti-corrosive coating that blocks UV rays and protects your paint of the vehicle from any that is corrosive.
If you’re seeking to keep your shine and security at home, you should check out Car Wash Finder This tool is proudly provided through Budget Direct to help you locate, and evaluate the next car wash near you.