Spring Cleaning Tips For Your Car or Vehicle
Spring always brings a sense of new beginnings and the desire to start fresh.
The research traces the tradition of spring cleaning back to the Iranian Nowruz, the Persian new year, which falls on the first day of spring.
Iranians practice “khooneh tekouni,” which means “shaking the house.”
Everything in the house is thoroughly cleaned, and no surface is left untouched by a cleaning supply.
This is the origin of the modern-day tradition of spring cleaning.
Many of us view spring as a symbol of everything coming back to life, and in preparation for the freshness that spring brings, we all participate in some form of spring cleaning.
One area that can often be overlooked is your vehicle.
If you live in a region with snow, cleaning your vehicle to remove salt and other debris is essential.
To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of spring cleaning tips for your vehicle.
Some of these tips can even save you money.
Spring Cleaning the Inside Of Your Vehicle:
Before you start cleaning anything, the first task should be to remove all the junk accumulated in your car over the fall and winter seasons.
It is common for our cars to get a little fuller in the winter, especially when you need to carry a lot of items inside and don’t want to make an extra trip when it’s cold outside.
Often, some unimportant stuff stays in your car (moving from the front seat to the back seat to the trunk).
Once you remove everything, go through it and throw out the items you no longer need.
Keep the rest out of your car until you are finished cleaning.
Once you are done cleaning, ensure everything has a place and is secured.
This makes you look more organized and keeps everything from flying around if you are involved in an accident.
You probably already know how to clean the inside of your car, but here are some extra tips that we found helpful:
Wipe down the ceiling with a microfiber cloth to remove the dust, dirt, hair, and grime accumulated there, this is an area that is often overlooked.
- Wash your floor mats in the washing machine to get them extra clean.
- Many recommend spraying the mats with a stain remover before washing to get the most out of the wash.
- Be sure not to overload your washer; only put 1-2 floor mats in at once.
- Clean the air vents with a foam art brush to get further into them than you can by just wiping the vent.
- For a deeper clean, many people recommend using a screwdriver (wrapped in a microfiber cloth) to reach the crevices you wouldn’t normally access.
- To make it easier to keep your car clean and to make it easier on yourself, consider putting cupcake liners in your cup holders.
- This makes it much easier to clean these areas, as cup holders are often the most challenging part to clean.
- There are silicone versions (specifically for cup holders) and other cup holder inserts that you can purchase.
To get a fresh scent back after you finish cleaning, leave an open container of baking soda or coffee grounds in the car overnight, with the windows up, to further deodorize your car.
You’ll be surprised at the difference it makes.
Even if you don’t think your car doesn’t smell fresh, the baking soda will help it smell genuinely fresh and clean for longer.
This is also something you can add to your regular car cleaning routine.
Spring Cleaning the Outside Of Your Vehicle:
Washing and waxing your car can seem simple, but there are a few tips to make sure you are getting the best results:
- First, rinse off any loose dirt and debris from your car.
- This will make washing easier and prevent scratches from dirt rubbing against the paint.
- Use a car wash soap specifically designed for automobiles.
- Regular soap can strip the wax from your car and leave it vulnerable to damage.
- Use a bucket of soapy water and a sponge or cloth to wash your car.
- Start at the top and work your way down, rinsing the sponge or cloth frequently to avoid spreading dirt and grit.
- Dry your car with a microfiber towel or chamois cloth.
- Avoid using a regular towel, as it can leave lint behind.
- If you want to wax your vehicle, use high-quality car wax.
- This will provide better protection and make it easier to maintain the shine.
- Follow the instructions on the wax and apply it in thin, even layers.
- Allow the polish to dry according to the instructions before buffing it off.
Other tips for cleaning the outside of your car include:
- Clean the wheels and tires with a tire cleaner and a scrub brush, this will remove any dirt and grime and make your tires look new.
- Use a cleaner specifically designed for the windows to remove streaks and smudges.
- Pay extra attention to the door and trunk seals, as these areas can accumulate dirt and grime over time.
- If you have leather seats, condition them to keep them supple and prevent cracking.
Following these tips, you can give your car a thorough spring cleaning and make it look and smell like new.
Not only will it look better, but it will also be more enjoyable to drive and can potentially save you money in the long run by keeping your car in good condition.