Cleanliness is essential for car care! So when was the last time you washed your car?
Everyday life, obligations, finances and lack of time may be some of the reasons that do not allow you to take your car to a car wash. "I'll go next week", you say. But, days pass, the car gets even dirtier, and you continue to neglect it.
But there is a solution! You will take charge and wash your car! "It's hot/cold, I don't have time, I don't know, I don't have the right products...", you will say now. And yet, the process is easier and more enjoyable than you think.
Below, you will find all the steps to properly wash your car at home. So take notes, roll up your sleeves, grab the sponge, and get started!
step 1ο – Car Wash Inside
Before you start, move the car to a shady place. If there is none, prefer to wash the car in the morning or afternoon, so that the sheet metal of the car is not burnt by the high temperature.
Washing the car, therefore, starts from the inside. Grab a garbage bag and start throwing away the trash – empty water bottles, receipts, food boxes, coffee cups, etc. – or whatever junk is in the car.
Then remove all the floor mats. You can wash each mat with water and leave it in the sun to dry, while with a vacuum cleaner you can clean the place where the mats were.
Then, clean all interior surfaces, such as dashboard, steering wheel, plastics, leather, using special cleaners which you will find at Geosantro. For example, to clean the dashboard he used one spray which will refresh the color and leave a glossy finish. Clean the plastic, dashboard, and rubber parts of the car with one emulsion. For leather surfaces, prefer a special cleaner emulsion for skins. To achieve the perfect result, go over all surfaces with one cleaning cloth.
You can clean the seats using the vacuum cleaner and/or wash the seat covers in the washing machine (of course look at the washing tab for more information). Finally, place a car freshener, thus giving a feeling of freshness and cleanliness to the interior of your car.
Read our detailed guide on how to make your car smell nicer.
step 2ο – Car Wash Outside
With a hose, start washing the outside of the car. Your goal is to "wash down" the car and remove as much dirt - dust, dirt, mud - as you can. A washing machine will make the process easier.
Extra Tip: It is good that the water has a low salt content, so that it does not leave "prints" on the exterior surfaces of the car. While, when using detergent, it is good to keep a distance from plastic and metal surfaces.
Then, create a lather with soapy water. For convenience, you can use one washing foam gun. Beware, though shampoo that you will use should be suitable for washing and cleaning cars. For windscreen, it is good to use a special cleaner.
Avoid using detergents and dishwashing liquids, as any detergent or dishwashing liquid can remove the wax and damage the car's paint.
So, with a sponge, get foam and remove – with gentle and parallel movements – the dirt and marks that did not go away with the water.
Extra Tip: Use separate buckets for washing the car. For example, prefer to have a bucket with just water, a bucket with soap and water, and a bucket with water and wheel cleaner. This way you will avoid washing the car with dirty water. After a while, rinse the car with water and dry the surface – roof, doors, windshield – using first a clean and soft cloth and then a polishing spray.
Washing Wheels & Rims
But the time has come to clean the wheels (rims-tires) – one of the dirtiest parts of the car. Wash the wheels with soap and water.
Then wet the rims with water, but without pressure. For a better result, use a specialist cleanser for washing rims, ideal for removing dust, mud, tar, and oils. Let the cleaner work for a few minutes, so as not to damage the material of the rim, and then with a special brush thoroughly clean the remaining dirt. Rinse with water and dry with a clean cloth.
But be careful, never clean the rims with a wire or any hard object, but with the special brush for rims, since the aluminum will be scratched and the glossy look and finish of the rim will be damaged.
Extra Tip: Clean the rims 1-2 times a month.
In general, don't use tire cleaners if you're going to be driving the car soon, as the fluid will seep through the wheels and into the rest of the car. At the same time, avoid washing the rims after driving, as they should first cool down and return to their normal state. If this is not done, then there is a risk of sharp shrinkage and deterioration of the aluminum.
Car Window Cleaning
To avoid dust, fogging, and "prints", clean the glass using the special window cleaner for cars. Avoid using household detergents. Household detergents contain ammonia, which can damage window glass.
Cleaning For Car Lights
Cleaning the lights is essential, as plastic lights become cloudy and yellow over time. Soap the lights and dry them with a cleaning cloth. If the lights are not washed and dried well, they will dim.
step 3ο - Candle
At the end, when the car is now washed and clean, you can wax it. The wax protects the car from corrosive substances, blocks the sun's ultraviolet rays, prevents fading, and makes its color shine.
Extra Tip: It is good not to always use wax after cleaning, but only once every 1,5-2 months.
You can wash your car too!
By following the above basic steps, you too can achieve a "professional" car wash and cleaning. Whatever you need, Geosantro will be by your side, offering you all the necessary products and tools for interior and abroad cleaning your car Find what you need, benefit from free shipping over 50 euros, and make washing your car at home easier than ever!
