Getting your car cleaned from time to time is a worthwhile thing to ensure your car remains fresh and appealing to look at and none of the key internal components get clogged up with dirt.
Of course you could choose to take your car to a car wash or get it valeted, or you could opt to clean the car yourself. If you’re doing the latter, then it’s something that’s much better to learn about first so you can get it right rather than winging it.
If you’re not entirely sure what you’re doing when it comes to cleaning cars then you could end up making some devastating but easily avoidable mistakes, like the ones mentioned below!
DON’T use household cleaning agents
Where you live may contain all kinds of cleaning agents like hand soap, dishwashing detergent or glass cleaner which are great for clearing up all kinds of stains and dirt.
But don’t make the mistake of thinking they can work just as well on your car as they can on things in the house. Household cleaning agents aren’t formulated for use on car paint and could end up stripping off the protective wax on the car’s body.
DON’T just use one bucket
If you’re using a sponge and bucket of water to help with your car cleaning antics, then you should keep in mind that the water in the bucket won’t stay clean for long. In fact, dipping your used sponge a dozen or so times will be enough to turn the once clean water into a contaminated mess of dirt and debris.
Keep using the same bucket then and you’ll end up transferring some unpleasant grime back on to your car’s bodywork.
To avoid this issue, use two buckets and dedicate one for rinsing and the other for washing. If you can only use one bucket, make sure you change the wash water regularly.
DON’T wash a hot car
Trying to wash your car when the bodywork is hot is a bad idea because the heat will speed up the drying of soap and water, making it more difficult to do a proper cleaning job.
Furthermore, the heat could interrupt the cleaning process in a way that spots or deposits will form on the car itself. It’s best then to avoid washing the car when it has just been driven or while it has been exposed to direct sunlight for a long period of time.
DON’T just leave a car to dry when its sopping wet
When you’re done covering your car in soap and water to clear the dirt off it, just leaving the air to dry it like it’s a piece of clothing on pegs is not helpful.
You’ll want to wipe the car properly; otherwise watermarks could be left on the bodywork due to certain minerals left behind by the water. By the way, driving your wet car for a small amount of time is not an effective drying method either.
DON’T use an abrasive towel to dry your car
If you’re going to wipe your car clean, then avoid using an abrasive towel or anything made of a similar material since it can scratch the bodywork.
The towels in your home are likely to cause scratches if you use them so get yourself something which you know is designed to be suitable for cars. A dry microfiber cloth should do the trick for removing excess moisture off your car.
DON’T wipe the car in circles
If you’re using a sponge to put soap or water on your vehicle, then avoid wiping the bodywork in a circular pattern. That’s because doing so can create small but noticeable scratches known as swirl marks on your car.
It’s better to move a sponge lengthwise across the hood and other panels of your vehicle.
DON’T expect a power washer to clean everything without soap
Say you’ve got access to a power washer for cleaning your car, it can make the whole job a more relaxing affair but you can’t make your car completely spotless without some soap.
Although a pressure washer can put water on your car with a lot of force, this doesn’t by any means guarantee you can force all the dirt off your vehicle. Using the water from the pressure washer alone is fine if you just want to give the car a rinse, but assume anything more thorough then that is taking place.
If you want to use it for a more complete job, get some foam cleaner. You can check out our separate guide to learn more tips for pressure washing your car.
For tips on cleaning the interior of your car, check out our separate guide on that subject
