The cleanliness of the car is one of the key factors that make up a pleasant driving experience. All drivers can understand the unpleasant feeling left by unnecessary dirt on the bodywork and the clutter inside their vehicle. However, a clean car is not only an aesthetic priority, but also a safety issue, as a dirty windscreen or foreign objects on the tyres can cause an accident.

Washing your car should be done twice a month and your vehicle should be in a shady place and cold to start the washing process. Although all owners enjoy the cleanliness of their vehicle, for many the cleaning process is a headache, as they either don't have the time and inclination to do it (especially when we are talking about a large SUV vehicle), or they don't know the right way to do it. That's why we have listed below all the right steps to wash your car effectively and easily!

Outdoor washing:

Wash the bodywork

The first thing that should be washed on our car is the bodywork. Starting with the roof of the vehicle, we wash off any form of dirt that is present, paying particular attention to stubborn stains such as mud or dirt. Next, spread the cleaning soap over the entire surface and suds in a side-to-side motion as this will minimize swirl marks and ensure consistent and even application. It is important to choose specific car shampoos as they protect the bodywork paint, compared to common cleaners e.g. dishwashing liquid. Finally, rinse the car with the help of a pressure washer or hose, starting from the top down.
 

Tip: It is advisable to use microfibre or chamois leather cloths to dry the car, for a shinier result and better application of finishing products.

We take care of the lights

It is important to pay special attention and emphasis to cleaning the lights, as not only can dirty lights spoil the appearance of an otherwise clean car, but dirt also reduces their performance. Furthermore, over time, dust can lead to yellowing of plastics. Therefore, we should regularly and thoroughly clean the car's lights with special products.

Tip: We can use a material that protects against UV radiation for greater protection.

We clean the windows

Another point that we should pay special attention to when cleaning our vehicle is the windows. The windows of our car should always be clean, free of smudges, dust and dirt , as dirt contributes to reduced visibility and the development of reflections, especially on sunny days. On windows, it is advisable to use special cleaning equipment, such as microfiber cloths or a water blade, to better remove water spots.
 

Tip: Do not use household or window cleaners, as most contain ammonia, which damages exterior coatings. It is a good idea to have special cleaners for our car windows.

Polish the rims

The last cleaning point of our car should be the wheels, for obvious reasons. Firstly because they belong to the bottom of the vehicle and we don't risk getting a clean spot dirty again. Also, they are probably the dirtiest part of the car, as they are in constant contact with the road and everything on it. So, by washing the wheels last, we gain an extra "rinse" as soapy water will have already been run over them by the rest of the car. Finally, we should do a thorough cleaning of the soap residue and let the tires "dry out" before getting back on the road to ensure there is no slippage.

Tip: Cleaning the wheels is an ideal opportunity to check the air pressure. However, if you're not the biggest fan, or if you don't know how to do the checking process, you can swap your tyres for some that don't have air! Too good to be true?

We renew the finish

AFTER a good wash of our vehicle, the final touches are next, in order to take care of its color and make it shine! To protect the paint of our car, we should always use, after washing, a special protection wax. The wax takes care of the paint, adding another layer that blocks UV rays and prevents fading and corrosion, while imparting a pleasing sheen. Also, for extra shine, we can use an ointment applicator before passing the wax. However, if we don't know how to use the machine properly, the process can also be done with special polishing cloths to avoid surface injuries. 

Tip: During the final finishing process, check for any scratches that we may not have noticed so that we can cover them with special pens. Then, by going over the wax, the car will look like new.

Internal washing:

Clean the floor

The floor of the car is usually the one that is often filled with the most dirt, as we are likely to carry mud, dry leaves, etc. when we enter the vehicle. The advantage here is that although the floor gets dirty faster, cleaning it is quite easy, especially if we have added special mats to our car. The floor mats can be cleaned either with a simple shake to remove foreign bodies on them, or more thoroughly with a vacuum cleaner, and a good sweep over the rest of the floor is enough to clean it adequately.

Tip: There are many car vacuum cleaners on the market, which are specially designed to not take up too much space, so you can always have them with you.

Freshen up the seats

Car seats are extremely important to keep clean, as we come into contact with them every day while driving. Furthermore, as they are made of fabric, they have the ability to retain odours. So, if we do not want to stain our clothes or have unpleasant odours during our commutes, they should be cleaned thoroughly and regularly. And here, cleaning the seats has the advantage of a vacuum cleaner, we can easily and quickly clean any dirt that may be present. Especially if there are removable covers, cleaning is even quicker, as we can even wash them in the washing machine!

Tip: Every time we clean our car seats, we can also spray them with a commercial disinfectant spray for a better result.

Taking care of the dashboard

Our car dashboard is often filled with dust and many drivers resent the sight of this dirt. Although we can remove the unnecessary dust with simple damp cloths, easily and quickly, we should not forget that cleaning the dashboard should also include taking care of its recesses, such as compartments, glove compartments, etc.

Tip: For better preservation of the material on the dashboard of our vehicle, we can make use of some special wax to protect it from cracks and fading.

We're putting the portbagaz together

The trunk is probably the most neglected area of our vehicle, as we may not come into frequent contact with it like the living room. However, it should be as clean as the rest of the vehicle. The solution here too will be a vacuum cleaner, which will remove any dirt carried from the exterior when we board our luggage.

Tip: Cleaning the trunk gives us the opportunity to check if the mandatory vehicle equipment (triangle-fire extinguisher-pharmacy) is functional and ready for use.

And now that you've learned how to properly clean your car, enter FlexCar and choose your next vehicle!