Winter is over and it’s time to give your car a good cleaning. The interior may still be covered in glitter from holiday packages, or you may have spilled that morning coffee a couple times. You also need to consider the salt that may still be clinging to your car’s undercarriage. Let’s look at some tricks to spring clean your car.
Wash Away Road Salt
Take the time to run your car through the car wash. Pay for the Deluxe (or whatever your local car wash calls it) and make sure it includes washing the undercarriage. The salt used to remove ice from roadways can cause your car’s undercarriage to rust, leading to serious damage. Do not skip this step, especially if you live in the north where they use salt on the roads frequently.
Remove and Wash Mats
Your mats may be muddy from tracking melting snow and dirt into your car throughout the winter months. Remove the mats and give them a hose down. You can then use dish soap to scrub away any dirt. Allow the mats to dry thoroughly before placing them back in the car.
Vacuum the Interior
A lot of businesses use salt to keep their parking lots ice-free. Unfortunately, you can track a lot of this into your car. Take the time to vacuum out your car. Use all the attachments and get in the nooks and crannies of the interior. Vacuum under the seats and inside your trunk.
Clean Up Coffee Spills
It happens. You take that morning brew on the road and you spill a little of it. If you think the stains are there forever, think again. There is an awesome product at the Dollar Tree called LA’s Totally Awesome All-Purpose Cleaner. Saturate the stained area and then scrub the area with a bristle brush. Next, spray the area with water and pat the area with a microfiber cloth to dry the area. Lastly, vacuum the area to remove any dirt loosened during the cleaning process.
Freshen Up the Fabric
You can purchase fabric fresheners for cars, or you can make your own. To make your own, purchase a plastic squirt bottle and fill halfway with water and halfway with rubbing alcohol. Next, add 10 to 15 drops of your favorite essential oils. Shake and spray. The rubbing alcohol will help the fabric dry faster. You can use whatever scents you like. You can also use more than one oil to create a custom blend.
Get in the Nooks and Crannies
Don’t forget about all those nooks and crannies. While automatic car washes do a great job, they simply can’t reach the nooks and crannies. This includes the areas around the outer edge of your doors, trunk, and hood. For the interior, use small paint brushes to dust any hard to reach areas, such as vents, radio controls, etc.
Organize
Last, but not least, take the time to organize your car so that it stays clean. Add a trunk organizer and small trash can. Line your cupholders with silicone cupcake liners to keep them clean. You can also reuse a plastic gum container to hold loose change, hair ties, or whatever other items you need.
Spring cleaning isn’t just for your home. Your car is an area where you probably spend more time than you’d like. Take the time to make sure your car is as clean as it can be.
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