Nothing brings the life back to a good ride than a real good clean. It’s why we hook ourselves up with top rated car vacuum and the best cleaning gear. Want to take your ride to the highest level of clean? We’ve got these easy tips to help you do just that.
The brush and vacuum combo
Use a soft brush as you vacuum between vents, dash, car buttons and seat seams. This will get stubborn dust and crumbs into your vacuum more effectively. Plus, using them together means you’re not just brushing off dirt elsewhere.
Also, know that using a damp washcloth doesn’t remove the dirt as effectively. Additionally, it tends to push them into corners and harden them there making it difficult to clean.
The ideal brushes for this task are a soft paintbrush and a soft bristle toothbrush.
Get to the nitty gritty parts
These are the parts that are often neglected from a general clean. So here’s a quick run-down of the more specific parts to go through:
Cleaning this with cotton and any rubbing alcohol keeps it from smearing anything on your windshield. Just wet the cotton with alcohol and rub it through the length of the rubber.
Top of window glass
Roll down-your windows and wipe off the top as you clean it with glass cleaner. This gets rid of the grime stuck in there that can also drip down your window.
Under the seats and pockets
That’s where trash and crumbs tend to hide. So make sure to slide your seat forward all the way through and vice-versa as you clean.
First, remember to do this after you dust and vacuum. Simply wrap a washcloth around a long sharp tool (like a screwdriver or even a barbecue stick) and run it down corners, lines and creases. Just do it like you would with cotton swabs around the creases of your ears.
The Air Filter
Tends to be the forgotten part of the clean up, but is easy to clean or replace. You can locate it using your car’s manual.
Meanwhile, if you’re still concerned about the smell off your AC, try getting an A/C odor treatment spray with enzymes. Simply spray a generous amount on the external vents (usually close to the windshield). Make sure you do this while you have you’re AC fan on max with the “recirculate” feature turned on.
Treat stains and grease before you wash
Before putting anything in the washer, like your mats or upholstery. Treat the stains first separately. A wash may not be enough to completely get rid of stains. This way, your mats and upholstery come out of the washer looking brand new.
As for stains and grease in your seats, you can mix a solution of shampoo and a dishwashing liquid to get rid of grease. Wiping it off with a sponge or chamois cloth will make it easier to be absorbed instead of spread to the rest of the fabric.
A word of caution though when treating stains, make sure you use light colored or white washcloths. This will make sure that you don’t get color dye stains on your car’s upholstery or fabric.
The complete finish
After the cleanup you’ll want to finish it off with things that help it stay that way. Here are some tips that help with that:
Instead of covering up bad smell with toxic chemicals, this greener option actually absorbs it. It’s simply a jar of baking soda mixed with drops of your favorite essential oil covered with a breathable fabric.
Polish your Glass (windshield, windows) with steel wool
Water stain-proof your glass with RainX
Pick-up left-over grime after the last rinse with a clay bar
From the nooks and crannies to the final touches, these tips will get your ride a proud shining clean. So give this a-go and see your car gleam. Got any more tips for a super clean car? Feel free to share them with us in the comments below.
