Car Cleaning Checklist

Here are some tips for cleaning the outside and the inside of your car.

The Exterior

Wash: Make sure to wash your car properly. If you don’t, it can cause scratches in your pain. Make sure to use the right tools for the job, too, or you might damage your paint job. Wash with cleaners that are specially designed for automobiles, and when it comes to your wheels, choose one that is designed for the wheels you have. When you clean the exterior, start with the tires and wheels first. This way, dirt from the wheels won’t splash up and sit on your clean car.

When you clean the tires, make sure to do one at a time before moving on to the next. Choose a wheel cleaner for the wheels and tires that is designed to remove brake dust, dirt, and grime. When you clean the wheels, choose a brush with feathered bristles. This won’t scratch the surface. For tire, use a stiff brush. Finally, polish your wheels to protect them from dust, dirt, and the elements. This will keep them looking cleaner, longer.

To wash your car, first, make sure to park it in the shade. Sunlight speeds up the drying process and causes spots. Rinse your car to remove loose dirt. Use two buckets rather than one; one bucket should hold your cleaning solution, and one should be clean water so you can rinse out your sponge or mitt each time, rather than reusing dirty water. Make sure to choose a cleaner designed for cars, rather than dish soap.

Start at the top of your car, and work your way down. Wash in lines, rather than in circles to ensure you clean the entire vehicle, and don’t miss spot. Rinse frequently and use a microfiber towel to dry. Consider using a clay bar if your vehicle’s surface feels rough. A clay bar will remove any embedded materials. Finally, wax your car. Waxing protects the paint and adds a shine to your car.

The Interior

While the inside of your car isn’t exposed to weather, the dash, steering wheel, and seats do get direct sunlight and can crack, peel, and fade. Regularly cleaning the interior can help prevent these problems. Make sure to choose the right product for the job. Leather and fabric seats will require different products, as will the dash.

To protect your dash and steering wheel, use a product like Armor-All that is designed to not only clean and shine the material, but put down a protective shield to keep the dash from cracking. Clean your car windows, inside and out, either with a cleaner specifically made for autos or with pure white vinegar. This will help prevent streaking.

When it comes to your seats, no matter what type you have, leather or cloth, make sure to vacuum them before you begin cleaning the material. This will remove any dirt or crumbs that are hiding in the cracks.

If you have leather seats, do not use a cleaner that contains ammonia or bleach, as it can damage the leather. Use a microfiber towel to wipe the seats clean. After you have cleaned the seats, use a leather conditioner. Applying a leather conditioner will help replenish the leather’s natural oils and prevent any cracking or fading. Make sure to park your car in the shade or in the garage after you’ve applied the conditioner, so the seats are not exposed to UV rays. Clean your interior once a month to keep it protected. Consider using a sunshade to protect the interior from the sun.

If you have cloth seats, either choose a cleaner specifically made for them, or use a homemade solution. You can use club soda, lightly sprayed onto the material and lightly scrubbed away, or use a solution of part baking soda and part water. You’ll mix a ¼ cup of baking soda with one cup of warm water. Spread a light layer of this over your seats and then lightly scrub it away with a brush. If you have stains, allow the mixture to sit on the spot for about 30 minutes and then scrub it away.

Other Tips

When cleaning the interior of your car, make sure to clean in and around all the nooks and crannies to get all the dust and dirt. Use a paintbrush or a foam brush to clean out the dust from your air vents. Get all of the trash out from under your seats; shake out the floor mats to remove dirt. Check the trunk for unnecessary items. This will free up space and help you save money on gas, as it can improve gas mileage. You may want to go through the glove box, too, to toss out any old receipts or trash that has accumulated.

Finally, consider a professional interior cleaning once every four to six months. Call Dream Steam for your interior cleaning needs. They use only the best available truck-mounted equipment to clean your vehicle. Using hot water extraction, their powerful equipment will deep clean the carpet and other fabrics in your car. They remove stains and dirt in your vehicle, targeting dirt, dust, allergens, pet droppings, urine, pet hair, oils, food, beverage spills, and other contaminants.

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