Much more than aesthetics, wash your cars helps extend its useful life, both inside and out.
The idea of washing your car isn’t always pleasant, but for some people it can be a pleasurable and relaxing activity. Whether you love or hate washing cars, the hardest part is getting started.
Read on to find out how to wash your car properly. We guarantee you’ll be proud of yourself when you see the results.
How Many Times Do You Have to Wash the Cars?
The frequency of cleaning depends on how much you use the car and the conditions it is subjected to.
If you drive your car frequently, you should clean it every 15 days. The same applies if you park your car on the street.
If you drive less often or park your car in a closed garage, then you should wash it every 30 days.
What Are the Types of Car Washes?
There are 4 ways to wash your car’s exterior, depending on the result you want.
Automatic Car Wash
Automatic washing can be done at service stations with gantries or car wash tunnels.
As a rule, this option is ideal when the exterior is very dirty and there is little time to wash, as you can have your car shining in 5 minutes.
However, the brushes in these machines can leave scratches on the car’s paintwork.
Pressure Hose
You can wash your cars at home using a pressure hose if you have one.
To do this, you need to use a sponge with soap and water to remove any surface dirt and make it easier for the pressure hose to pass through.
Then simply turn on the machine and keep it at a safe distance so as not to damage your car’s paintwork.
If you don’t have a pressure hose, you can go to a gas station or a self-service car wash that has this equipment.
Manual Car Wash
All you need is a bucket of water, a sponge and soap to clean your car by hand.
Although it’s a more thorough type of car wash than the previous ones, you need time to clean it properly.
Dry Cleaning (No Foam or Water)
Although not very common, this is the type of professional car wash that respects the environment, as you don’t need to use soap or water.
To dry clean a car, all you need is a microfiber cloth and a special product with which you can remove all the dirt from the outside of the car.
Although it is an environmentally friendly type of car wash, it is not effective in cases where there is a lot of accumulated dirt.
Where to Wash the Car?
You can wash your cars at home, at a self-service car wash or at a gas station with automatic washing machines.
Alternatively, you can turn to car wash companies for professional cleaning.
When it comes to cleaning cars, especially the interior, the eternal question is whether to start by vacuuming or washing the vehicle.
What to Do First: Wash or Vacuum the Car?
The ideal order for washing and vacuuming the car can vary depending on your personal preferences and the specific condition of the vehicle. However, before washing the car upholstery, you should remove the carpets and vacuum the entire interior. This will clean out dust and other debris.
Afterwards, you should shake out, vacuum and wash the carpets to dry them while you clean the inside of the car.
Don’t forget to clean the entire interior, including the steering wheel, rear-view mirror, dashboard and under the driver’s and front passenger’s seats.
How Should You Wash a Cars?
In addition to the comfort it provides for passengers, cleaning helps protect materials and extend the lifespan of your vehicle.
If you’re efficient and have the right equipment and processes, you’ll be able to renew the appearance of any vehicle.
Find out below how to wash your car properly, both inside and out.
How to Wash the Car Interior?
The first place to clean is the inside of the car, so that all the dirt that has accumulated inside is removed and the outside can be cleaned.
Then vacuum the car’s upholstery and carpets.
Next, use a mixture of soap and water to clean the upholstery, especially if it’s leather from vintage cars. Don’t scrub too hard or use a cloth made of fabric that could scratch the upholstery.
For the dashboard, steering wheel, gear lever and handbrake, as well as the seat belts, buttons and handles, use a damp cloth.
How to Wash Your Car Outside Without Scratching It
For the car to be clean and without scratches on the paintwork, it must:
1. Gathering the Necessary Materials
Before you start, you need to gather the necessary materials, such as buckets, sponges and a broom for washing cars.
Then you must have the car wash products, which should be specific for this type of cleaning.
Make sure you have your garage or workshop well organized to optimize your time and do a more thorough wash.
2. Pre-wash
Start with the rims, washing them with a specific product and a microfiber brush or soft cloth. Lather up to loosen dirt from the surface.
Clean the front of the wheel and inside the drum. Make sure you clean the dirt, dust and debris from the brush after cleaning each wheel. Rinse each wheel after finishing.
Pour the water out of the buckets and refill both (one with just water and one with soap) to wash the vehicle afterwards.
3. Do a wash
Now that the car is wet, soapy and all the dirt and debris has been removed from the paintwork, you should wash it.
For that:
- Use a microfiber cleaning mitt and plenty of soapy water;
- Clean the vehicle with sideways movements (never circular), on the roof, then on the windshield and hood;
- After each panel or half panel, place the glove in the bucket of water with the sand protector and use your hand to shake it to remove all the dirt from the glove;
- Pull the glove out of the dirty water, squeeze it and then dip the glove in the bucket with detergent to get fresh water and foam;
- Repeat the whole process on the next panel.
4. Cleaning the car
Now that the car is all washed, you need to rinse it.
Make sure you rinse all the soap off the car from top to bottom.
5. Drying
An easy way to dry the vehicle is to use a vacuum cleaner or leaf blower to remove most of the water from the paint. If you don’t have one, use a soft, clean microfiber towel.
Once most of the water has dried, remove the remains of water that has covered up the vehicle’s emblems, door sills, gaskets, grilles and cladding.
This will prevent the possible appearance of rust.
6. Finish
In addition to the exterior, you should clean the glass (inside and out) to ensure a crystal-clear, streak-free view.
Use a clean microfiber towel with an ammonia-free glass cleaner.
To give the paint an extra level of protection against bad weather, wipe the vehicle again with a clean microfiber towel and wax.
What are the Essential Tips for Professional Car Washing?
- Although it’s simple, to achieve a clean look, you should bear in mind that:
- It’s very important to wash the vehicle from top to bottom, from the roof to the lower sides, because that’s where vehicles usually accumulate the most dirt;
- You need to move quickly and efficiently to prevent the water or soap from drying out;
- You should avoid washing your car in the sun, as it dries faster and leaves harmful stains on the paintwork;
- You need to rinse the car as you go, to keep the car wet.
Can I wash the Cars Engine?
Washing your car’s engine prevents the rubbers from drying out prematurely and preserves the internal plastics. However, if it’s not done correctly, it can compromise its normal functioning.
In this sense, it’s best to have this service carried out by a specialist garage.
Looking for more tips on the automotive world? Then follow us on Facebook and keep up with all the content we share on a daily.
