While you probably have some extra free time right now (and maybe some kids you need to keep busy), here are some tips for your own DIY car wash.
Sponsored Content by Roger Beasley Mazda, Photo by Shelby Sorrel
If you read my article last month, you know the importance of keeping your car clean and germ-free. While you probably have some extra free time right now (and maybe some kids you need to keep busy), here are some tips for cleaning your car at home.
Take everything out before vacuuming.
First things first, clean out everything from your car. Throw away the trash, remove any stuff, take out the floor mats, etc. Then, give it a good vacuum from top to bottom, making sure you get the seats and trunk, as well as the floors and floor mats.
Wash your floor mats.
After vacuuming, hose your floor mats down. You can buy pre-made car mat cleaners or create your own by mixing water with two tablespoons of washing powder and two tablespoons of regular shampoo. Then, apply to the mats and use a stiff brush to scrub thoroughly. Spray them off, vacuum again with a shop vaccum or a wet/dry vaccum to suck up some of the water and any remaining dirt, then let dry completely before putting them back in the car.
Dust and wipe off all surfaces.
First, dust all surfaces with a duster or damp towel—microfiber is best. For those hard-to-reach places, an old toothbrush, cotton swab or foam paintbrush will do the trick. Then wipe down everything with a disinfecting wipe that’s safe to use on car surfaces.
Clean your seats.
For cloth seats, there are DIY solutions, but I suggest getting a spray cleaner that’s specifically for car upholstery. If you have leather seats, there are special leather cleaning wipes you can use that make cleaning a breeze. Don’t forget the kids’ seats, too! Toss the covers in the washing machine and use disinfecting wipes to wipe off all other surfaces.
Wash the exterior.
Rinse off your car first to remove a lot of the dirt and dust that can cause paint scratches. Use a specific car wash soap or combine some vegetable oil-based soap (not dish soap that can damage the paint) with a bucket of hot water and use a microfiber mitt or towel to wash, starting from the top down. Rinse off your car completely, then dry with a microfiber cloth right away to avoid streaks. Don’t forget about the windows; use a basic glass cleaner!
Shine those tires and wheels.
You can buy a specific wheel cleaner but mixing dish soap with hot water works as well. Spray off your wheels, then using a rag or sponge, scrub off all the grease and dirt. Rinse and immediately dry with a clean towel.
Happy cleaning! On behalf of all of us at Roger Beasley Mazda, we are here to help if you find yourself in need of automotive service or a new vehicle. We are open and taking all necessary precautions to ensure our facilities are clean and safe for everyone. Please visit rogerbeasley.com or call 866-779-8409 for more info or with any questions!