Your Expert Guide to DIY Car Cleaning

Finding the time to clean the car can be tricky, even if you’re not deliberately avoiding getting the bucket and sponge out. For most drivers, spending the afternoon scrubbing, polishing and waxing isn’t the ideal way to spend a Saturday afternoon. 

There are usually plenty of other things to do at the weekend, whether it’s taking the kids out for the day or getting on with some more pressing chores. So for most of us, car cleaning takes a back seat. In fact, most drivers only clean their cars once every 11 weeks. Of course once you have cleaned your car, if it is parked on the driveway at night a great investment would be a car cover, to keep your car looking immaculate.

Many people opt to get someone else to clean their car, and while professional cleaners will do a great job, the costs quickly add up. But taking the time to clean your vehicle can be incredibly rewarding, and you can achieve that professional sheen on your own driveway. Plus, you can get the family involved and have fun at the same time. 

Car Cleaning Tools You’ll Need

For many people, cleaning their car doesn’t go beyond unravelling the hose, getting a bucket and a sponge out and using leftover washing-up liquid. But if you’re looking to get an expert finish on your car, you’ll need to get the right car detailing tools. 

Some of these tools you might already have, but if not, it’s worth investing in some good quality ones. It won’t set you back too much, and once you’ve got them, you’re good to go for every following car wash. 

Get Two Buckets 

You won’t be surprised to find out that you’re going to need a bucket to clean the car. But just the one bucket isn’t going to get the job done like the professionals. You’re going to need two buckets, and ideally, they’ll both have grit guards. 

Inventively called “The Two Bucket Method”, having two buckets means you’ve got one for shampoo and another for rinsing. This prevents any dirt and grit from the car from getting into your wash mitt and scratching the car. 

Wash Mitts and Cloths

If you’ve already got your sponge at the ready, throw it away. A bucket and sponge are the classic tools for cleaning your car, but sponges can actually cause minor scratches to your paintwork. The best option is a wash mitt; they’re easy to use, and they won’t damage your paintwork. In fact, they’ll protect it. 

It’s also worth considering getting some microfibre cloths and glass cloth; these will come in handy for removing any excess liquid and getting your windows shining. 

Pressure Washer

Getting a good pressure washer can save you a lot of time when you’re cleaning your car. They make the cleaning process far more effective and efficient as the pressure will remove the more stubborn marks on your paintwork. You can also attach extensions like a snow foam lance as the professionals do. 

Having a pressure washer around is excellent for more than just cleaning the car as well. It can do wonders for cleaning up patios and deckings that may have seen better days. 

Car Detailing Products

Now that you’re all set with the tools you’ll need for the job, you’ll need to get your hands on the right car detailing products for an authentic professional finish. It’s worth investing in high-quality products as they will give you a better finish, and they tend to last far longer than cheaper options. 

Cleaners

You’ll need to get a few different car cleaning products for the different areas of your car: 

• Seats
• Wheels
• Windows 
• Interior.

All top-quality cleaners come with detailed instruction on using them properly, so be sure to follow the instructions. 

Snow Foam

Snow foam will make you look like a real professional to all of your neighbours. Used with a snow foam lance on your pressure washer, this will cover your car with a pre-cleaning foam layer that looks like snow. 

The foam is excellent for lifting any stubborn dirt and grease from the paintwork and making the whole cleaning process faster and easier. 

Polish and Wax

These will give your car the finish that you want, so it’s worth getting the best ones you can find. Sealants, polishes and waxes not only provide that desired shine, but they’ll also protect all of the hard work you’ve put into cleaning your car. 

Plus, they all help to keep your car looking cleaner for longer. Wax is particularly good for givnting minor scratches on the road. You won’t need to wax with every wash; every couple of months works perfectly. 

The Finishing Touches

Once the exterior of your car is gleaming, and you keep catching your reflection in the paintwork, it’s time to get the inside clean. Start by getting rid of any crisp packets or rubbish floating around and then giving it a thorough hoovering. Once you’ve got all of the dust with the hoover, use a general car interior cleaner to clean the dashboard, steering wheel and other surfaces. 
Depending on your seats, you can use either a leather seat cleaner or fabric cleaner to get the seats as good as new. Be sure to read the instructions carefully before, and if you’ve got leather seats, be extra careful.

Once the seats are clean, step back and bask in the glory of your car. You’ll be the envy of the neighbours for days. Just pray that a passing bird doesn’t ruin all of your hard work in seconds. ing your vehicle a brand new glow, stopping the paintwork from fading.