If you want that ‘new car’ feeling all over again, then it’s time to roll up your sleeves. Transform your car and give it a showroom-quality finish with a few simple steps. Don’t know where to start when it comes to the best way to wash a car? We’ve got you covered.
Buckle up and follow our guide to learn exactly how to clean your car, and dive into a world of auto pampering.
First up, grab yourself a bucket of warm water, a clean cloth, sponge, and any car cleaning products that you may want to use (such as car shampoo). Make sure to put on clothes that you don’t mind getting wet or dirty. Then, follow these step-by-step instructions on cleaning your car for a proper top-to-bottom scrub.
· Before you get stuck into the finer details of washing your car, start with a simple rinse, using a hosepipe to shift any initial dirt - working from the roof down.
· High-pressure hoses are ideal for blasting dirt and grease off, but make sure to keep in mind that they can damage paintwork if they are held too close or used over chipped paint. For the safest approach, attach a nozzle that reduces the pressure of the water and use it with caution.
· Once the surface-level dust and dirt has been removed, you can move onto shampooing the body of the car.
· Add a small amount of car shampoo to a large bucket before filling with warm water – make sure you follow the instructions on the bottle for the recommended measurements. We advise sticking to specialist car products and avoiding using dish detergents, as they can remove your car’s protective coating.
· Next, dunk a soft sponge into the soapy solution and start getting into all the nooks and crannies of your car, rubbing in circular motions and repeating where necessary.
· You may want to split the car into segments and wash the shampoo off as you go to avoid it drying too quickly and leaving any streaks.
Top tip: If you come across bird poo, it’s important to remove it quickly as its acidic nature means it can damage your paintwork. Soften it first by leaving a warm, damp cloth on the area for a few minutes. Then, work in circular motions to remove any residue, remembering not to press too hard. With bugs, it’s best to use a bug spray, followed by rinsing.
· Once you’ve finished shampooing, rinse the soap suds off with a hosepipe.
· If you notice any stubborn marks at this point, give them an extra scrub with your sponge before rinsing again.
· Next, find a clean microfibre cloth and give the whole car a good wipe down to make it shine. We recommend avoiding old towels and rags, as these can create scratch marks or a watermarked finish.
· When the car’s exterior is dry, open the doors and use a damp cloth to clean around the edges and details.
· As with the bodywork, clean your headlights with water and soap before drying with a soft cloth. You can also use a mild abrasive like toothpaste to restore your headlights and make them shine. Apply a small amount to a soft rag and rub it in circular motions across the headlights to remove any residue, before wiping clean.
· If you prefer, you can buy a special headlight cleaner or restoration kit and follow the instructions provided.
· Your wheels are often where the most dirt accumulates, as they’re the closest to the road. Sometimes, iron oxide that comes off the brake pads can build up a thick layer of dirt that can be difficult to remove.
· If water and a rub down with a sponge doesn’t do the trick, opt for a wheel cleaner that will break down the particles and make stubborn dirt easier to remove. Repeat as needed until your wheels sparkle.
· The best way to clean car windows is to use either a special car window cleaner, or an ordinary window cleaner. Apply a few spritzes to the window and use a soft, clean cloth (lint-free cloths work best) to wipe in every direction. Do this until the solution has dried for a clear, streak-free finish. Repeat on each window.
· When cleaning your windscreen, follow the same steps, but wipe in a vertical then horizontal pattern to avoid getting streaks.
Top tip: Remember to move your windscreen wipers to clean around them, and give both of your wing mirrors a good rub down too!
If you feel your vehicle could benefit from some extra shine, waxing the outside of your car is it a great option as it can help to protect your car for longer – meaning fewer washes in the future.
We hope that our guide on how to wash and clean your car has answered your questions. If you think that your car requires some extra attention, book an MOT test or car service at one of our professional garages. Find your nearest Eurorepar centre, here.
