Keeping our car’s interior and exterior looking in tip-top condition not only maintains its performance but its lifespan too. So how do you clean car at home?
However, many car owners shy away from DIY cleaning, assuming it requires expensive products and professional services. The truth is, you can achieve a sparkling clean car without breaking the bank.
Al Lijee, a car expert and managing director of myWindshield, shares 7 budget-friendly ways to keep your car clean that are not only effective but also simple enough to try at home.
Baking Soda Paste
Baking soda is a versatile and inexpensive cleaning agent, making it a great cheap option for keeping important things like your car’s engine clean.
“Create a thick paste by combining baking soda with water, and apply it to the engine’s surfaces.
You can let the paste sit for around 10 to 15 minutes then give it a good scrub to reveal a sparkling shine.
It’s a gentle but effective cleaner, also a plus is the super affordable price of baking soda,” the expert says.
Using a Toothbrush to clean the car at home
Yes, the humble toothbrush has more uses than keeping our mouths clean. Keep an old toothbrush handy for cleaning the harder-to-reach areas, a great tip for pesky alloy grease.
“Dip the toothbrush in your preferred cleaning solution and gently scrub away the dirty areas.
If you’re really particular about the little bits, a toothbrush is a sure-fire solution to getting through everything,” the expert recommends.
Vinegar Treatments
It’s a well-known practice to use diluted vinegar for super shiny chrome or to get your mirrors clean. This hack is the perfect affordable solution for a gleaming finish, but there are other uses for the everyday household ingredient.
Battery terminals are prone to corrosion, affecting your car’s electrical system. Thankfully, vinegar can save this problem too.
“Dip a cloth in white vinegar and use it to clean the battery terminals thoroughly.
Just remember to disconnect the battery before you start cleaning to avoid electrical mishaps!” warns the expert.
Steam Cleaning
A steam cleaner can be a worthy purchase for cleaning in and outside of the house, but a great little tool for car enthusiasts too.
Steam cleaning is an eco-friendly and efficient way to clean your engine, only using water to dislodge dirt and grease. Steam is also handy at penetrating hard-to-reach areas and sanitising surfaces.
Compressed Air
Keeping your car clean often involves getting rid of dust and debris lodged in tiny crevices, and this is especially true for your car’s interior. Compressed air is an inexpensive solution to blow away tiny particles.
The expert recommends being cautious not to use excessive air pressure around the car engine, as it may damage sensitive components.
Watch Out for Birds
It may sound like a silly tip but one clean car at home idea that doesn’t cost you anything and is worth the consideration.
Bird droppings on your freshly washed car may be irritating albeit out of our control, but it’s crucial to remove them as promptly as you can.
The acidic nature of bird mess can damage the protective coating and diminish your car’s shiny paint, especially during the warmer months of the year.
Leaving bird mess on your car for too long can result in a permanent dull mark that regular cleaners can’t fix.
The expert recommends acting swiftly against nature’s toilet time to protect and prevent long-term paintwork issues
Tyres Need Love Too
It should go without saying but don’t overlook your tires. Properly cleaning your wheels and tires is vital for car maintenance, which also saves you from costly refurbishments.
“You don’t have to use expensive cleaning products for the wheels either, the dilute vinegar solution we mentioned earlier will work as a disinfectant and cleaner, while a little splash of oil will help to give your alloys a shine.
To avoid splashing dirt on clean paintwork, clean your tires first, use separate cloths for cleaning and a fresh bucket of water to prevent any transfer of dirt,” the expert says.
Maintaining a clean motor doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Remember, clean car at home and routine maintenance is essential to ensure a smooth and efficient ride for years to come.
