Washing your car (and tidying the interior!) is one of the bigger chores on your weekend to-do list. So if you’re taking the time to scrub down your vehicle on your day off, you want to make sure you’re doing it right. That’s why we asked our experts in the Cleaning Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute for their advice. Let’s get started …
Make Car Cleaning Easy
Start by pre-washing outside sections with dried-on bugs and road tar using a cleaner formulated for these messes. Then spray your car with cool water and wash it with cleaner. Give your ride a final rinse and dry it completely with a clean cloth. For the interior, wipe down surfaces with disinfecting Wipe to banish germs.
Now that you know how to score a pristine car, make sure you’re not making these common mistakes that’ll sabotage your hard work.
11 Common Car Cleaning Mistakes
1. Washing it in the hot sun
Sure, it sounds like a good idea, but a sunny day could dry your car too quickly. This results in water spots, says Carolyn Forte, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab. Instead, do this chore in the morning or evening when the sun is less direct.
2. Using dish soap on the exterior
Stop! Whatever you do, just stop. While dish detergent is handy in the kitchen, you shouldn’t use it on your car. It’s too harsh on the car’s paint, and might result in scratches that look like spider webs.
3. Only using one bucket of water
You actually need two: One for soapy water and one for rinsing, says Rachel Rothman, Chief Technologist and head engineer at the Good Housekeeping Institute (and many car detailing experts agree). If you rinse your car with the same soapy water you washed it with, you risk scratching the paint with the dirt. Plus, a clean bucket ensures all the soap gets washed away at the end of the job.
4. Not cleaning from top to bottom
If you’re scrubbing down your the exterior haphazardly in every direction (bottom to top, left to right) then you’re doing yourself a disservice, according to Rothman. The best way to prevent streaks is to clean your car from top to bottom, so water doesn’t run on to dry patches mid-wash — cleaning in one direction also helps prevent scratches.
5. Forgetting the tires
Obviously tires are one of the dirtiest parts of your ride, which is why it’s so important to wash ’em with GH Seal holder Simple Green All Wheel Cleaner ($7, amazon.com). “They are rotating pieces, so if mud or dirt tracts onto the wheel it may get onto other parts of the vehicle too,” says Rothman.
6. Ignoring your antenna
Most new vehicles have antennas that retract into the car when you turn the engine off, which can drag filth into your interior if they’re not clean. One simple way to ward dirt off: rub the antenna with wax paper to give it a protective coat that will repel gunk.
7. Turning a blind eye to cup holders
While they’re handy for your fast food soda, you might get stuck with a sticky mess that harbors bacteria if you accidentally spill said drink. To clean them out, throw removable plastic holders into the dishwasher, let them sit 20 minutes, then wipe clean. Or if yours aren’t removable opt for warm, soapy water and a little elbow grease instead.
8. Skipping the dashboard
Not only do you touch it a lot, but sun shines directly on it (germs love warmth) and vents push in and draw out air, helping bacteria circulate. Since those vents push air into your face too, wipe the dashboard down with a Clorox Disinfecting Wipe ($8 for a 2-pack, amazon.com) regularly.
9. Neglecting floor mats
This is one of the dirtiest parts of your car, because it’s where your shoes track in dirt and debris. To maintain this area, you should first vacuum thoroughly, then attack stains with a remover and a brush if needed, then let dry.
10. Rolling the windows down before they’re dry
It can take your car up to two to three hours to completely dry. Most people don’t know this and end up rolling down their windows prematurely, which causes water streaks on your just-washed exterior. Patience is a virtue, so just wait a few hours next time.
11. Letting the hose run
Just like you should turn off the water when you brush your teeth, you should do the same when washing your car — it’s a waste of water and many towns have ordinances against this, Forte warns.
