Clean your car safely and effectively using everyday items from around the house. Baking soda and essential oils can eliminate odors while a toothbrush helps you get rid of bugs without scratching the paint job.

Make sure to use a separate bucket of soapy water for washing the wheels as they contain more dirt than any other part of your vehicle. After cleaning them, condition the dashboard to avoid cracking or fading.

Exterior

A car’s exterior is its first impression and should reflect pride in ownership while protecting against corrosion, prolonging its life and value. A clean and well-kept exterior shows pride of ownership while showing pride of ownership while increasing value of investment and protecting metal components from further wear and tear.

Start by gathering a bucket of soapy water and using a sponge or soft microfiber cloth, which you will use to rinse high-impact areas such as bumpers, rocker panels, mirrors, tires and tires. Apply cleaner/degreasers such as Degreaser Pro(r) before scrubbng away dirt, oil bird droppings or bug splatter from bumpers rocker panels mirrors tires etc. Rinse as needed until all areas of paint have been thoroughly cleanened – then repeat if necessary until paint has been completely clean!

When washing, use a sponge or soft cloth designed specifically for carwash, made of microfiber or chamois (also referred to as shammies). A soft cloth will absorb more of the water than hard sponges can and help avoid water spots. Dunk your sponge often into soapy water so as to not transfer contaminants back onto the paint surface and ensure you transfer no contaminants backwards; never use rotary brushes which could potentially damage its finish.

Once your car has been completely washed, you should use a clean and large towel to dry it off. Start from the top down when drying individual panels of your vehicle to avoid accumulating moisture that will collect in between panels. A separate drying towel should be used on tires since they often develop sticky build-up of road salt and other debris that requires separate drying efforts.

Interior

Car interiors can become just as filthy as their exterior counterparts. When your vehicle becomes coated in salt, dirt and grime from winter road grime, a simple baking soda-water solution may be all it takes to clean it off without harming its paint job or staining its paint finish. Baking soda also works wonders at eliminating stubborn stains like fast food oil stains; simply combine 1 cup (240 mL) of baking soda with 1 gallon (3.8 L) of soapy hot water for an effective cleaner!

Start by gathering all items that may obstruct the cleaning process, such as toys, CD cases, umbrellas, ice scrapers and any extra jackets that may prevent you from cleaning effectively inside your car. Place these in a crate or box temporarily so you can focus on cleaning its interior.

Dirty interior surfaces can be cleaned using microfiber cloth or wipes designed to remove dust, smudges and fingerprints. A disinfecting wipe can also be used on steering wheels, gear shift knobs and door handles as well as cotton swabs for more inaccessible places like vents or knobs.

If your car has a musty smell, sprinkle carpet and fabric seats with dry baking soda to absorb odors before vacuuming it off later. A commercial upholstery odor eliminator might help for persistent smells as well.

Headlights

Headlights may not be on top of car owners’ priorities when it comes to cleaning, but headlights need attention too. Fog-laden headlights can reduce how brightly your lights shine and your ability to see on the road ahead, so regular cleaning should be a top priority. There are various methods you can use such as toothpaste and vinegar and baking soda or you can purchase kits designed specifically to restore and clean headlights from auto supply stores.

At first, it is essential that the headlight lens be cleaned thoroughly with soap and water. Next, protect the surrounding paint by covering it with tape. Finally, rinse your headlights thoroughly until they have dried completely.

Once your headlights have been restored to their former condition, apply a coat of wax to prevent further oxidation. Also when possible park under shaded conditions and cover headlights with plastic to slow the inevitable yellowing of their polymers casings.

DIY hacks that claim to eliminate headlight haze include bug spray, toothpaste and WD-40; however these typically only provide temporary solutions that don’t last long before returning again. In order to permanently rid yourself of headlight haze use wet 800 grit sandpaper mixed with apple cider vinegar followed by 1500 and 1800 wet grit wet sandpaper while regularly rinsing your headlight for best results.

Tires

Your tires come into direct contact with the road and can become covered in stubborn dirt and grime, offering both aesthetic benefits and preventive care benefits – especially considering that dirty tires may experience premature wear-and-tear and reduced lifespan. Cleaning them offers both aesthetic improvements and preventive care benefits – dirty tires can quickly wear down with repeated exposure to road elements, decreasing durability.

Use of an effective tire cleaner can help you achieve a lustrous tire while protecting the wheel surface and wheel itself from damage. Consider your wheel type when selecting your cleaner; roughcast aluminum and chrome wheels typically stand up better to harsher chemicals than anodized, coated, or painted wheels. Furthermore, the type of cleaner may contain acids which erode and damage rubber tires over time.

To remove stubborn grime from your tires, start by giving them a thorough rinse with a high-powered spray nozzle. Next, apply your chosen cleaner directly onto the tire, scrubbing vigorously with either a soft bristled brush or detailer’s brush as directed by your chosen cleaning solution. Upon completion of this step, rinse carefully with fresh jets of water to eliminate any residue left behind.

Once your tires have been thoroughly washed and dried with a microfiber towel, use a specialty tire dressing to give them their final shine. In order to protect wheels and tires from potential contaminants in the future, be sure to include wax or paint sealant as part of your regular cleanings and make use of regular sealant applications to keep them looking new!