There are two types of people in this world; those with immaculately clean cars with that ‘just-out-of-the-showroom’ feel, and those who are jealous of people with immaculately clean cars with that ‘just-out-of-the-showroom’ feel.
If you fall into the latter category, we have news for you; your dirty car might be damaging your friendships and even your love life. According to research, when it comes to relationships, 7 in 10 believe having a dirty car is a turn-off, whilst 23% have even ended a relationship with someone because of their filthy vehicle.
But we didn’t need some hastily assembled stats to tell you that, did we? Because it’s obvious; a sparkling clean, well maintained car can say a lot about a person, and if you’re looking for tips on how to keep your car clean, here are 5 of them.
START FROM THE OUTSIDE IN
Let’s face it; cleaning your car is a game of two halves. Polishing up the exterior, buffing the alloys, cleaning the windows…these largely aesthetic needs are fuelled by pride and a desire to look good. What’s more, cleaning the outside of your car can be really satisfying. The inside…not so much.
So, start with the exterior, as a way to get into the cleaning groove and build yourself up for the more laborious, tedious inside job. It’s time to pull out the shampoo, brushes, and hot water and prepare to give your car a thorough scrub down, but it’s also important to protect your paintwork, and this is best done by removing any dust, dirt and debris that might be chipping away at it.
Ideally, you should buy cleaning supplies that have wax protecting qualities to ensure longevity on your car’s finish. In fact, you should always ensure that you have the right car cleaning equipment for your vehicle; using the wrong cleaning supplies can affect your car’s paintwork. At this point, it might be worth considering professional valeting services, of course, who can broadly guarantee expert-level maintenance (meaning no damage!) of your car’s exterior.
MARIE KONDO YOUR CAR
Once your car is gleaming from the outside, it’s time to tackle what lies within. Your car should firstly be free from clutter; it’s not going to bring you (or any passengers) joy if it’s full of old KFC boxes, receipts and spare sweaters.
Channel the work of organisational consultant Marie Kondo here, and streamline your car’s interiors to contain only what you truly need. In the spirit of streamlining, we won’t say any more on the subject.
EQUIPMENT TO KEEP IN YOUR BOOT
Yep, we realise we recommended a thorough decluttering of the superfluous stuff that lies within your vehicle, but there are some items that are essential to always have in your car if you’re going to keep it clean. Here are six things you should always keep in the boot:
Image taken from www.onlinecarparts.co.uk
We know what you’re thinking; won’t a normal towel do? Aren’t detailing brushes just reserved for experts? Well, no. Compared with cotton, J-cloth and the like, microfibre towels are much softer, more absorbent and less abrasive, meaning that they won’t damage your car’s surface or interior’s sheen. Moreover, they are long lasting, meaning they represent a worthwhile investment.
A chamois cloth is incredibly useful for similar reasons; when made of genuine chamois leather, they possess almost no abrasive properties and are incredibly absorbent, perfect for the final touch of cleaning both outside and inside your car.
When it comes to a detailing brush, these brushes will help you get into nooks and crannies of AC vents and wheels that would be unreachable if you were just going to use a toothbrush.
An ice scraper has obvious benefits, helping you clear off a frosty morning’s remnants with efficiency, but did you know the tool has uses about the home, too? You can use an ice scraper to remove wax from skis and splattered paint from walls after a DIY job, as well as smoothing wood filler. In fact, the ice scraper is such a useful, versatile tool that it’s worth buying two…one for your car and one for DIY around the house!
We won’t embarrass you by suggesting you need an air freshener in your car, but one never hurts for emergencies, right?
FIND YOUR INCENTIVE
Not only can a dirty car be a massive turn off to other people, but scratches, stains and even smells may make prospective buyers think twice as they give the impression that your car hasn’t been looked after, a red flag for more serious problems, perhaps.
According to research from Nottingham University, car interiors are a breeding ground for microorganisms and bacteria, including E Coli and Bacillus cereus. Shocking stuff.
That said, it’s very unlikely you’ll get ill from the microbes from your car as we are always surrounded by microorganisms and most people’s immune systems can handle them. So next time you get into your car full of old food wrappers, used tissues and water bottles full of stagnant water, imagine that you’re in a cesspool of bacteria.
If self-image, money and microbes aren’t enough of a catalyst to keep your car clean, perhaps there’s a bigger problem afoot here. Find your incentive, and keep it in mind while you’re scrubbing and polishing…
MAKE CLEANING A SUNDAY RITUAL
We know, you probably have better things to do on a Sunday, like going to the car boot sale or out to brunch with your pals. But wouldn’t you rather attend these events in a clean car?
We don’t think we’re going too far by saying a freshly detailed car isn’t just going to look good; it can also make you feel good.
Why not reconceptualise the way you think about cleaning your car and turn it into a relaxing, therapeutic stretch of ‘me time’? Free from distraction and with only a chamois cloth in your hand, allow yourself to feel as though you’re off the leash, able to listen to all your own music, a podcast, or even have the football or an episode of Friends on in the background.
Make cleaning a Sunday ritual with benefits, and over time, you’ll learn to be excited about this portion of the week that you get all to yourself.
Now, where’s my detailing brush? I could’ve sworn I left it around here somewhere…