Knowing how to clean your car right is not just a matter of aesthetics; it also contributes to the overall maintenance and longevity of your vehicle. However, despite its apparent simplicity, car cleaning is often approached haphazardly by many car owners, leading to less than satisfactory results. From using the wrong products to neglecting crucial areas, common mistakes can have a detrimental impact on your car’s appearance and condition. That’s why it’s essential to learn the right way to clean your car and establish a proper cleaning routine.

In this blog post, we will guide you through the correct techniques and practices to ensure a thorough and effective car cleaning process. We’ll cover everything from pre-wash inspection to the choice of cleaning products, step-by-step washing instructions, and post-wash care. By following our expert advice, you’ll be able to achieve a showroom-worthy shine while avoiding common pitfalls and potential damage. Get ready to transform your car cleaning routine and discover the secrets to maintaining a pristine vehicle that will turn heads wherever you go.

Invest in the right products

Many car owners have the impression that they need a lot of pricey products to clean their cars at home. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. You can do a great job with a few inexpensive goods in most supermarkets or auto stores.

You only need buckets, noodle wash gloves, microfibre towels, glass cleaner, car shampoo, and possibly wheel and tire cleaner to start cleaning your car at home.

Some auto shampoos can also be used on your tires, so double-check before purchasing both.

Once you have these essentials, you can use them numerous times, meaning the entire cost of washing your car at home will be significantly lower.

Use the two-bucket approach

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You don’t need a hose to clean your car at home; instead, use the two-bucket approach, which is a cost-effective way to wash your car and significantly reduce the water you use.

You only need two buckets: one with auto shampoo and one with clean water to rinse off the mitt and eliminate any leftover dirt that could damage your bodywork.

Before you begin, thoroughly clean your vehicle to remove any loose surface dirt.

After you’ve prepared your two buckets, begin scrubbing from the top of your vehicle with a soapy sponge or mitt.

Submerge your mitt in clean water frequently to remove as much dirt and debris as possible before going on to the next area of your vehicle.

Purchase a grit guard to catch any dirt that has been washed from your sponge to avoid it ending up on your car and perhaps scratching it.

Remove bird droppings as soon as they happen

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A bird will almost certainly do business on your freshly washed car at some point.

As bothersome as it may be, you must remove any bird droppings as soon as you notice them.

This is because bird droppings are acidic and can chip away at the protective coating that keeps the paint on your car appearing bright.

While the bird droppings are harmful at all times, they are especially problematic during the summer when greater temperatures tend to exacerbate the problem.

If left for too long, it will not only be challenging to remove but may also leave a permanent dull mark that is too deep to be erased with regular vehicle polish.

Remember to carefully wipe away the droppings rather than scraping them, which could cause extra harm.

If the bird droppings have dried and hardened or have been left on the car for an extended period, you may need to perform additional steps or use specialised solutions.

In such a case, consult professionals at Spark Carwash or any other reputable car wash service provider. They will not only advise you on how to clean the car properly but also advise you on the best cleaning products to use.

Avoid washing in circular motions

You should avoid cleaning your car in circular motions. Instead, you should wash tiny parts with overlapping straight lines, which comes in handy in preventing unattractive swirl marks.

When doing it, use as little pressure as possible and regularly rinse your sponge.

To avoid marking larger parts of your vehicle, double-check that you haven’t left any marks after each section before continuing.

Consider the weather

You should wait for a period of good weather to clean your automobile. Remember that direct sunshine or a car that is hot to the touch can have a significant impact on the final result.

On a hot day, soap and water can dry before you can rinse it off, leaving your car streaky and necessitating another wash.

As a rule of thumb, avoid cleaning your car in severe temperatures. As mentioned, extreme heat or cold can reduce the efficacy of cleaning chemicals and make the job more difficult. A temperature range of 50°F to 80°F (10°C to 27°C) is ideal.

For the best outcome, clean your car on a dry day. This ensures water evaporates fast and does not leave stains or streaks on the paintwork. Furthermore, damp conditions make cleaning more difficult and ineffective.

The same way you should avoid cleaning your car when it’s hot is the same way you should avoid cleaning it in windy weather. This is because cleaning a car in windy conditions can make it difficult to regulate water and cleaning products.

Wind can also blow dirt or debris onto the car’s surface, reducing the effectiveness of the cleaning operation.

Wash your car later when the sun isn’t as bright, or wait for a day with somewhat more cloud coverage.

Besides ensuring you keep your car clean, it also ensures you are comfortable spending time outside without feeling too hot or chilly. Being at ease when cleaning will make it more fun and allow you to concentrate on attaining the finest outcomes.

Remember to check the weather forecast before making the cleaning plan. Always pick a day and time corresponding to the above guidelines.

Always clean the tires

Cleaning your wheels and tires is a vital component of car maintenance since it reduces rust spots and brake dust, which can damage your wheels over time and help you avoid costly repairs.

Your car’s tires are one of the dirtiest parts of a car, but the good news is that you only need to clean the sidewalls to keep them looking decent.

Although it can be unpleasant to conduct at home, maintaining your tires is essential to ensuring they last as long as possible.

When cleaning your tires, do them first to avoid splashing dirt and grime back onto your pristine paintwork.

Pay attention to the grooves and channels in the tire tread when cleaning the tires. You should clean these areas with the bristles of the tire brush. This aids in the removal of any trapped dirt or debris that might impair traction and tire performance.

Once you are done, you can use a tire treatment to give the tires a glossy or matte look. For an effective application, follow the instructions on the tire dressing product.