How to Clean Your Car Exterior and Interiors Properly

Cleaning one’s car is not just for aesthetic purposes but also serves as protection for the vehicle and helps in maintaining its value, along with comfort inside the vehicle. Be it driving through busy streets, say Jakarta, or driving on scenic roads, say Bali, his automobile’s exterior and interior would make all the difference. Regularly clean inside and outside because, in the Indonesian tropical climatic conditions, rain, dust, and humidity are your other enemies that may invite undesired displeasure to befall your car.

This article will explain how to go about cleaning both the interior and exterior of your car through practical means that can easily be done within any home setting. Give your car that showroom glow at inexpensive costs when the right materials applied with good techniques come into play.

Cleaning Your Car Exterior

The exterior of your car is constantly exposed to dirt, rain, pollution, and sunlight. Because of this, your car needs regular cleaning for better appearance and to prevent rust and paint damages. The following is how to correctly clean the exterior of your car.

Also Read: DIY 10 Car Maintenance Tasks You Can Do Yourself

1. Pressure Washer at Home

Pressure washing is a good start in cleaning your car. It washes off the loose dirt, dust accumulation, and grime that lays on the surface of your car. This process can be much easier with the use of a residential pressure washer, since it saves time and wastes less water than using a normal garden hose.

Tips:

• Keep the pressure low to avoid damaging the paint.
• Use a wide spray nozzle for even water distribution.
• Avoid focusing the spray on sensitive areas like mirrors and windows.

2. Wash with Car Shampoo

After the loose dirt has been washed off, it is time for car-specific shampoo. Unlike ordinary household detergents, car shampoos will clean your vehicle without taking the protecting layer of wax off the paint. Although the paint is quite delicate, these shampoos will do their job just fine in removing dirt and grime.

How to Wash Properly:

• Have a bucket of water mixed with car shampoo.
• Wash using this shampoo solution with soft sponge or microfiber mitt.
• From top down, wash down to avoid driving dirt across the paint scratching it.
• Rinse very thoroughly to eliminate all of the soap.

3. Drying with a Microfiber Cloth

Drying your car after washing helps in preventing water spots and streaks. You can make use of a microfiber cloth instead of using normal towels. Because microfiber cloths are highly absorbent, tender on paint, and will not leave any lint behind.

Steps to dry your car:

• Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to gently wipe the car.
• Start from the top and work your way down.
• Be sure to dry areas where water can accumulate, like door handles, mirrors, and the edges of windows.

4. Wax Polish for Protective Shine

Once your car is clean and dry, a little coating of wax polish is in order. Wax acts as an acting barrier layer that prevents UV rays, dirt, and rain from reaching your car’s paint. Moreover, it gives a shiny finish to make the car appear brand new.

How to apply wax:

• Use a foam applicator pad to apply a small amount of wax to the car’s surface.
• Work in small sections, applying the wax in circular motions.
• After letting the wax dry for a few minutes, buff it off with a clean microfiber cloth to reveal a shiny finish.

5. Cleaning Wheels and Tires

Wheels and tires tend to accumulate so much dirt and brake dust; these need special attention. Get a dedicated wheel cleaner, and with the help of a soft brush, go over it. Later on, you can dress the tires to give them that fresh, glossy look.

Wheel Cleaning Tips:

• Use another brush for wheels so you will never scratch the paints.
• Clean the rims and spokes well for brake dust.
• Thoroughly wash to ensure no trace of cleaner is left.

How to Clean the Interior of Your Car

Just like the exterior, the interior part of your car is equally important. A clean interior is not related to comfort but it’s very nice when driving. The following is the right way of cleaning the interior part of your car.

1. Vacuum the Interior

First things first, interior cleaning-vacuuming. The seats and carpets are bound to accumulate dust, dirt, and even particles of food. A good session of vacuuming should be able to extract those particles and give the cabin a fresh feel.

How to Properly Vacuum:

• First, take out the floor mats and vacuum them separately
• Use the nozzle attachment with the vacuum cleaner to reach between the seats, below the pedals and such other areas.
• Give that little extra attention to places where all the dirt collects underneath the seats and around the gear shift.

2. Clean the Upholstery and Dashboard

Next, you’ll want to clean the seats, the dashboard, and other visible surfaces. If your seats are cloth, then you can simply use a fabric cleaner; if they are leather, you will want a leather conditioner so that the seats do not dry out and crack. Generally speaking, the dashboard and door panels can be cleaned with a damp microfiber cloth and a mild interior-safe cleaner.

Steps to clean upholstery:

• Spray a small amount of cleaner on a cloth, not directly on surfaces.
• Wipe down seats, dashboard, and door panels gently.
• For stubborn stains, use a soft brush to scrub lightly.

3. Use a Microfiber Cloth for Dusting

Microfiber Cloth for Dusting Just like the outside, you’ll want to go over your interior with a microfiber cloth. These clothes are great to dust off surfaces without scratching them

How to use it:

• Wipe the dashboard, air vent, and center console.
• For touch screens and other sensitive areas, use a dry microfiber cloth to gently wipe away dust and fingerprints.

4. Cleaning of Windows and Mirrors

As far as safe driving is concerned, windows and mirrors must be clean. Glass cleaner removes the smudges, fingerprints and dust on the inside of the windows and mirrors.

How to clean glass:

• Spray a small amount of glass cleaner onto a microfiber cloth.
• Wipe the windows and mirrors in a circular motion to avoid streaks.
• Ensure the windshield is crystal clear for better visibility.

5. Add a Good Fragrance

A good fragrance after your car is well cleaned will add a lot of difference. Other types of car air fresheners one may opt for are hanging ones, gel-based, or an essential oil diffuser

Why it matters:

• A fragrant scent makes driving pleasant.
• This disguises the foul smell of food or sweat.
• This makes the interior of the car inviting to passengers.

Also Read: Protection Film Or Ceramic Coating: Which Is Best For Your Car?

Conclusion

Not only that, but this also applies to regular car cleaning, which will be important in making it presentable, durable, and comfortable to ride in. Regarding proper care in cleaning, both inside and outside, you are enabling your vehicle to realize the best conditions, whether you are negotiating busy streets or making a Sunday cruise along the coasts of Bali. Good interior care, aside from routine vacuuming, consists of a home pressure washer and car shampoo with microfiber cloths that keep it looking and feeling new.

Such cleanliness not only improves the appearance of the car but protects the car from the external surroundings bringing about its wear and tear, and death faster than others. You therefore have to try cleaning your car to maximum results by reaping the benefits of driving a fresh and clean vehicle each day