How to Properly Clean Your Vehicle

When you drive off the lot in a brand new Honda Fit and cruise the streets of Los Angeles in your new car, you’ll feel like a million bucks. Keep that new car feeling by maintaining your vehicle and keeping it in pristine condition. It’s easy to let dirt accumulate on your Honda Odyssey after driving around in the roads and freeways in Los Angeles, but cleaning your car after the fact is simple. All you need is the right tools for the job and the commitment to making your vehicle look its very best.

Here are some of the best practices for cleaning your vehicle:

Start by removing the large pieces of debris and major dirt. If you have lots of mud caked onto the exterior of your car or truck you’ll want to gently hose it off. You don’t want to contaminate your wash bucket and rag with big pieces of dirt, so it’s best to clear these from the surface before you begin.

Once you have removed the major dirt from the exterior of the car you’ll want to start washing. Use a solution formulated for washing cars that you can buy at your local hardware store. You don’t to use just any soap as some detergents can damage the paint of your car or can cause unsightly streaks and soap spots. Use a soft microfiber cloth and wash your car starting at the top and working your way down, using a circular motion. Don’t forget to clean the side mirrors, the grille, and bumpers, and the tires and rims.

Rinse the entire vehicle and dry with another microfiber cloth. You might be tempted to let your car air dry but this can lead to a streaky finish or water spots. You might need several cloths to dry your entire vehicle, especially if it’s a large truck or van, so make sure you have extras on hand.

Once you’ve washed and dried your vehicle, it’s time to apply wax. Wax protects your paint job and gives your car a gleaming finish. Apply it according to the directions on the package and give it sufficient time to dry.

The exterior of your car will look great but don’t neglect the inside. That means removing the floor mats and vacuuming them, dusting the dashboard and the consoles, and spot treating any stains that are on the seats. Don’t forget the details, like cleaning the inside of the windows, to make sure your car looks its best.

 

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