Car Cleaning Tips and Hacks You Didn't Know About

Most people don't know how to wash their car properly - but does that surprise you? It's a chore! These car cleaning hacks will change all that!

I bet you don't fancy a dirty car, who does? Nobody, unless you're on a monster truck and doing off-road challenges. Even if you were, you would still need to clean your vehicle after your sorties. 

Best & Most Doable Tips for Car Cleaning at Home

Did you know that it is VERY WRONG to dust your car with dry cloth? It's also not a good idea to wash a car when it's too hot outside as it causes the paint to contract. Read on for more handy tips on how to wash a car at home.

How to Wash a Car at Home

In addition to not washing when it's hot outside and avoiding wiping off dust with dry cloth, here are more tips.

• Rinse with a hose - Don’t rinse by wiping off suds with a wash cloth. If this is how you do it, it’s similar to rinsing the dirty suds, rinsing the rag in the same water, and repeating the process. It’s best to use a spray or hose instead. 
• Spray off dust - Use a hose or spray to get rid of surface dust. 
• Don't wash in circles - You may end up with cobweb-like scratches on the car's body if this is how you wash.
• Use car cleaning products - Only use products made for car-washing instead of cleaning soaps and products formulated for other purposes.

What Can I Use to Wash My Car at Home 

You'll find a variety of tools in the market but don't waste your money on much-hyped car cleaning products and tools. Not that you shouldn't try innovations, but stick to essential tools instead. They work as well as the "new" gadgets. Some of these useful car cleaning products are:

• Brushes with feathered bristles - You don't want to scratch the finish, and that's why these feathered bristles are preferred. There are also special brushes for the wheels designed to wash the tyre's sidewalls.
• Microfibre cloth - These fabrics help remove grit and grime. 
• Natural chamois leather cloth - This cloth works perfectly for drying your car. They are super-absorbent and work best when damp, not wet. 
• Lint-free material - For cleaning glass, you should use a lint-free material.

Your car would love to have a professional wash every once in a while, but it doesn't hurt to learn how to do it by yourself. You can turn a chore into a Saturday bonding with your kids. Try not to forget the basics even as you have fun. 

Steps for Car Washing at Home

Washing a Car's Body 

This is how you wash the body of your car:

1. Have your washing equipment and tools ready.
2. Mix the car cleaning product or car-washing soap and water in equal proportions (not too much soap or too much water) to ensure you have the right amount of foam.
3. When cleaning, go top-down starting from the roof. This ensures the soap scum and sludge do not mess up areas you've already washed. ***PRO TIP: Wash each section at a time. This targeted approach is preferred because you clean a section, rinse it, go to the next, rinse it. Once done, you give the whole car one last thorough rinse.
4. Use your preferred wax or sealer to bind the paint and protect the finish. There are different types of wax: Liquid wax (easiest type to use), Soft wax, and Hard and paste waxes. 

Cleaning Car Parts

You may ask next, "What's the best way to clean a car interior?" Now that you know the general approach, here's how you go about cleaning different sections of the car. Let's talk about cleaning the different parts one by one:

Windows

1. When cleaning windows, it’s best to use a glass cleaner. It could be any glass cleaner. Glass cleaners are easy to spray and wipe off and will give the window a super sheen. 
2. Wipe in one direction for the interior side and the other way for the exterior to make it easier to tell where streaks are left.
3. After cleaning, wipe the glass panels with lint-free soft rugs. If you don't have them, paper towels or newspapers will work as well.
4. Don't forget to clean the wipers too.

Trim and Chromes

1. Only use chrome polish on the actual chrome and not on any other part of the body as it may discolour the paint.
2. It would help if you waxed to prevent rust. Use a specialist wax for this to maintain the chrome's sheen.
3. Though not necessary, you can use a special glaze for a blacked-out trim or metal framing.

Wheels and Tyres

1. Clean the wheels one set at a time. 
2. Use a strong water jet to ensure you get the brake dust (dust that accumulates in the brakes each time you brake). 
3. Buy a metal cleaner that is suitable for the type of metal your brakes are made off.
4. Apart from brakes, the wheels should also be cleaned thoroughly. After the wash, ensure you towel them down properly to avoid water spots and clear all the dust.

Interior 

The best way to clean a car interior would be to start removing dust.

1. Vacuum the interior to rid it of the dust that may have accumulated over time. Use a small vacuum cleaner for manoeuvrability.
2. Clean the detachable mats before putting them back in after you have vacuumed.
3. For leather interior trimming, you should have in your arsenal a genuine leather-cleaner. Then, use a soft cotton towel for cleaning (of course it has to be clean). 
4. For stains on seats and other interior surfaces, you can use car upholstery products.

Contact Us

We hope that we were able to help you with these tips, but do you know what's better than a clean car? 

A car with the right parts! 

When replacing worn auto parts, make sure to refer to your trusted mechanic and use high-quality replacement parts. Visit Carpart.com.au for guides and tips in proper car maintenance. It’s also where you may request for auto parts, whether OE, OEM, aftermarket, new, used, or refurbished - and we'll connect you with reputable sellers near you.