Owning a car is no longer a privilege and luxury – it’s something all modern people simply need! However, owning a car can be quite pricey and complicated, which is why you need to make sure it lasts as long as possible. Cleaning your vehicle and detailing it from time to time is a must, so here are ten tips that might help you do that more easily and successfully.
Change the paradigm
How often do you wash your hair? Or vacuum your living room? If you do these things regularly – and you probably do – why don’t you wash your car that often as well? The biggest problem with cars is that people simply don’t clean them often enough, and that’s why all our vehicles look like they were made in the 1940s. But, if you change this paradigm and just start washing your car more frequently, you’ll be doing it a major favor and extending its life span.
Shampoo your car once a week
Speaking of washing your car, you need to remember that using just water isn’t good enough. Water might be able to remove some of the dirt, but not all of it. That’s why you should also shampoo your car, and do that at least once a week. This may sound like a boring and tiring job, but, in reality, it won’t take too much of your time and energy. Doing this regularly will make your car look shiny and new, and that’s always a good thing.
Use special protection
Protecting your vehicle against damages is one of the best ways to make a real difference in its appearance, so you shouldn’t be afraid to do that as well. Anything from bug splatter and accidental scratches to harsh weather conditions can really damage your car and make it look nasty, which is why you have to prevent that from happening. Applying a reliable paint protection film is the way to go, especially if you use a professional solution and take some time to apply it carefully. Repeat that every once in a while, and your car will always look brand new!
Be careful and pay attention
Even most meticulous car owners in the world have a problem cleaning their car if they’re in a rush or are absent-minded. That’s why their cars remain dirty and full of stains, even though they actually do spend some time cleaning them. In order to avoid that, you need to be careful when washing your car and pay attention to details. The spot behind your wheels, the top of the windows, and the roof are just some of the areas most people seem to forget, so try not to be like that if you want your car to shine.
Clean the inside space too
This is another issue lots of car owners are dealing with – they don’t think the inside of their car is important when it comes to cleaning. But, if you think about it, you’ll realize that it doesn’t really matter how clean your exterior is – if you’re interior is dirty and smelly, you won’t enjoy driving as much as you should. Maybe you don’t have to clean your interior as often as your exterior, but do it at least once a month, and you’ll start noticing changes right away.
Clean every inch of interior space
Don’t worry – your interior is full of spots people often forget to clean as well, so you’ll have a chance to practice your patience here as well. Start with your carpets and use a carpet cleaner to get rid of all that dirt piled up in there. The same goes for your trunk, especially if you transport lots of things in there all the time. When it comes to your headliner, you should use professional cleaning products just to make sure you’re doing a good job. Finally, clean your cup holders and your seats with some soap and warm water, and your car will look so much better!
Declutter, declutter, declutter
If you’re tired of cleaning your car all the time and not being happy with the results, you might try doing something else and decluttering your vehicle. Most of us have lots of rubbish scattered everywhere around our cars and don’t even notice it until it’s too late. Therefore, remove all that rubbish from your seats, your carpet, your glove box, and your ashtray, and you’ll introduce a massive change into your vehicle’s life.
Clean the dashboard using a damp cloth
Even though most people aren’t fans of cleaning their cars for hours and hours, you have to remember to clean your dashboard regularly too. This will probably take only a couple of minutes but will make a huge difference. Using a damp cloth should be quite enough, so go over this area a few times before letting it dry – and don’t forget to repeat the process next week as well.
Get waxing
Most car owners don’t like waxing their cars on their own, believing they’ll damage the paint or scratch their vehicle. But, if you’re careful and know what you’re doing, you can complete this task quite easily. Just choose the right wax, take your time, and try to cover the entire surface of your car. If you’re happy with the results, do this again in about six months, and your car will love you for it.
Clean the windows
In the end, you can’t be expected to drive your car if you can’t see where you’re going. That’s why you should give your windows special care and show them some love. Get one of those professional glass cleaners – but make sure it’s eco-friendly and not dangerous – and clean your windows at least once a week.
As you can see, cleaning your car and detailing it isn’t as hard as most people think. It’s all about getting properly organized and knowing how often you need to do these things. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll actually start loving this entire process because your car will look better than ever!