How To Clean Your Car At Home This Spring

Winter is finally over and now it’s time for spring cleaning. Do you know how to clean your car at home? A freshly cleaned car looks great inside and out and it’s not difficult to do the job yourself. All you need is a little time and a few key products, like a detailing seat, and you’ll be well on your way to having a beautiful car to enjoy all summer long.

Give It a Good Wash

How to clean your car at home starts by giving it a thorough exterior wash. Even if April showers have knocked off the visible dirt, there’s still plenty of winter grime clinging to the finish and marring your car’s shine.

All you need is a bucket of water, car soap and a large sponge. Make sure to hose off any loose dirt and then get to work washing the whole exterior. Start at the top and work your way down to the dirtiest areas that are low by the ground. Keep an eye on that bucket of water and make sure to refresh it with clean water when it gets dirty.

Wheels tend to accumulate extra grime and may need special attention. There are brushes and cleaners specifically designed for making your wheels look good as new. It takes a little extra time but makes a huge difference in your car’s overall appearance.

Vacuum the Interior

Removing the floor mats and vacuuming the whole interior is a key part of how to clean your car at home. If you have fabric seats, give those a good vacuuming, too. Tilt the seats all the way back to really get into the crease between the seat back and the seat cushion where crumbs from all those on-the-go snacks get hidden.

Your floor mats need attention, too. Vacuum fabric floor mats and then use soap and water along with a small brush to give them a thorough cleaning. If you have vinyl mats, they don’t need vacuuming, but still need a good wash.

Clean the Seats

Whether you have fabric or leather seats, they need to be cleaned. You can use a damp sponge with soap to remove surface stains from fabric, but leather seats require more attention. Use a leather cleaner followed by a leather conditioner to both clean the seats and keep them looking new.

Clean All Hard Surfaces

Your car has hard surfaces that also need a thorough cleaning. First, use the soft brush attachment on your vacuum to suck up any loose crumbs. Next, make sure you have the right cleaner for each surface in your car whether it’s wood, plastic or metal.

Use a soft cloth to wipe down surfaces and remove grime. Tricky spots can be hard to get clean with a cloth. Try using a cotton swab to get into all the little nooks where dirt and dust collect and don’t forget to clean all the windows and the rearview mirror.

A little time and effort to get your car clean this spring will help you enjoy it all summer long.

Check out all the tools & equipment available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on tips on cleaning your car at home, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.

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