Buzz
Washing your car at home can be a relaxing task that brings a sense of fulfillment. In addition to saving the money usually spent on professional car washing services, it also gives you a chance to focus on the areas that may be especially dirty. Car wash services often use abrasive materials that can scratch or damage the paint, so washing the car yourself helps keep both the vehicle and the paint in pristine condition. For a manual wash, you will need a flat concrete surface in the shade, plenty of water, and a hose. You should wash the entire vehicle in one go, typically taking one to two hours depending on the car size and how dirty it is.
Steps
Preparing to Wash Your Car
Park your car in a spot without direct sunlight. This will prevent the car from drying too quickly and leaving water spots. Washing the car in the sun may cause the vehicle to heat up, making the water evaporate faster, which can make the washing process harder.
- Make sure to close all windows and retract the antenna to avoid water getting inside the car and potentially damaging the antenna.
- Pull the windshield wipers away from the glass so they are properly positioned, far from the windshield.
Place all necessary cleaning items within easy reach. The items you’ll need for the wash include: car wash soap, an ample water supply (depending on the size of your vehicle), 3 buckets (two for washing and one for rinsing), a hose, microfiber towels or bath towels for drying. You’ll also need two or three car-specific cleaning gloves, a large sponge, and possibly a separate brush for cleaning the wheels.
- Be prepared to get wet and covered in soap. Wear suitable clothing: shoes, shorts, and rubber sandals for warm weather, or long pants and rubber boots for colder weather.
- You can purchase car wash soap at auto parts stores. When mixing soap with water in the buckets, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the correct soap-to-water ratio.
Fill one bucket with water and add soap according to the instructions on the label. This will be your car wash bucket. If the car is particularly dirty or if you prefer using two separate buckets, one for the car body and the other for the wheels, you can prepare two buckets of soapy water.
Fill the other bucket with clean water. This will be your rinse bucket. You only need one bucket for rinsing, regardless of whether you use one or two buckets for the soapy water.
Washing the Car
Use the hose to soften and loosen any dirt and debris stuck to the car. Avoid using a high-pressure jet, as this may cause dirt to scratch the paint. Spray the water downwards over all surfaces. Spraying upwards could lead to water seeping into the car if the rubber seals are not intact.
Tom Eisenberg
Owner of West Coast Tires & Service
Owner of West Coast Tires & Service
Frequent washing extends the lifespan of your car's components.
Washing your car removes 70% of the dirt, but if you only wash it every six months, the buildup will be significant, and a single wash won't be enough to fully clean it.
Wash the wheels first. The wheels tend to be the dirtiest part, so it’s best to clean them first to prevent dirt from splashing onto the other clean areas of the car. Use a long, narrow brush designed specifically for cleaning the grooves on the wheels.
- If the wheels are already clean, you can use a sponge or glove to clean them just like the body after rinsing the dirt off.
Use large gloves to wash the car. Before scrubbing the car’s surface, dip a large glove or sponge into soapy water and scrub the car, ensuring to shake off any dirt from the glove or sponge beforehand. Avoid using a brush on the body, as it may leave small scratches.
- Gloves with longer fibers are preferred as they do not scrub dirt harshly onto the surface, reducing the risk of scratches. However, remember to rinse and dip them in soapy water regularly while cleaning.
- Unlike sponges, car washing gloves are machine washable, which makes it easier to remove any dirt particles.
Wash the car section by section, starting from the top. Move around the car in circles, each time working your way lower. Washing from top to bottom ensures the soapy water runs downwards as you clean the higher areas, so you don’t have to go back and wash the same spot twice.
- If the car is heavily soiled, let the soap and water sit for a bit to work. Wipe multiple times, and be careful not to rub dirt onto the surface, as this could scratch or damage the paint.
Clean off bird droppings or insect remains stuck to the car. Bird droppings and insect bodies can damage the paintwork, so extra care is needed during cleaning. Remove the stains as quickly as possible with a damp cloth if you feel more force is required than what a glove can provide. Soften the insect remains by placing a warm, damp sponge on the spot to allow the water to soak in and then scrub it off.
- Use a special insect and tar remover on tough spots, as it’s an effective and safe way to remove dried insect bodies from the car’s surface. Avoid scraping or using a brush to scrub the remains, as this can damage the car’s finish. A few stubborn stains are preferable to scratches, after all.
Keep your gloves clean. Regularly rinse off dirt from the gloves in a clean bucket of water. If dirt, grime, and debris accumulate on your gloves, they can damage the car’s paintwork. Wash the gloves often in fresh water and change the water when it becomes cloudy or contains debris.
Rinse each section after applying soap. After washing each section with soap, rinse it off before moving on to the next. Never let soap dry on the car, as it may leave marks on the paint. Rinse the car in the same top-to-bottom fashion as when washing.
- Always clean the door seams, edges (around the window frame), and the lower edges of the doors. It’s frustrating to open a shiny car only to find the door seams still dirty.
Keep the entire car wet while washing. As you wash from one section to the next, it’s important to use the hose to keep the car’s surface wet. This prevents water droplets from drying up and leaving streaks. You should wipe the car dry before it air dries on its own.
Wash the lower parts of the car last. Clean the bottom of the car and the wheels last, as these areas tend to be the dirtiest and have the most debris. It’s a good idea to use a separate glove or sponge for this area, as the glove is likely to get completely dirty after cleaning these spots.
Use a plastic brush to scrub the tire sidewalls. If the tires are covered in dirt or road dust, a sponge or car wash glove may not be enough to clean them effectively. You’ll need a stiff-bristled plastic brush to remove the dirt from the tire sidewalls.
- Auto parts stores usually carry various Tire and Wheel Cleaner products, which help to clean the dirt from rubber tires.
- If you wish, you can use vinyl, rubber, or plastic care products for dark plastic parts and tires. These are commonly available at auto parts stores.
Spray the undercarriage with water. Once the majority of the car's surface is cleaned, use the hose to spray the undercarriage from various angles.
- This is especially important if the car has been exposed to salt, as salt can damage and corrode the undercarriage.
Dry and polish the car
Use a clean towel to dry the car. Don’t hesitate to use multiple towels when drying the car—ensure all surfaces are thoroughly dried to prevent rust. Avoid leaving water to pool on the car as it dries, as this can cause water spots or lead to rusting.
- Microfiber towels are the best material for drying car surfaces. After use, simply toss the towels in the washing machine. Do not use fabric softener, as it can leave residue on the fabric, which can transfer onto the car’s surface and leave marks.
Apply car wax once dry. Once the car is clean and dry, it's time to apply a layer of wax (or a similar polishing product). You may need to apply the wax more than once: If water does not bead up like droplets (or if you notice small puddles forming on the car's surface after washing), this is a sign that you should reapply the wax. Abrasive polishing products are rarely necessary for modern car paints and can even risk damaging the clear coat.
- Wax (or newer polymer products) helps protect the paint under sunlight, preventing fading and degradation. The wax layer also protects the finish from damage caused by gravel hitting the car while driving on highways. Polymers last longer than wax. Products from auto parts stores have durability similar to those sold by car dealers at high prices.
Repair rust spots and peeling paint if necessary. Remove any rust from the car and touch up any visible paint damage, or use a rust converter to treat rust spots and repaint small scratches. Clean off any sand or corrosive chemicals previously used, wait for the paint to dry, and refrain from applying wax on the newly painted areas.
- Accessories such as door impact protectors and reflective decals will adhere securely to clean, dry surfaces that aren't coated with too much wax. Make sure to apply these accessories before waxing the vehicle.
- Polymer-based products like “Nu Finish” are much easier to buff compared to traditional wax, though they may take a bit longer to dry initially.
Apply a water-repellent treatment to the windows. Apply RainX or a similar water-repellent product to clean, dry windows to prevent water from clinging and to improve visibility. Reapply when water no longer beads into droplets. Repeat the process every few months on the side and rear windows, and once a month on the windshield, especially in areas where wipers often leave streaks.
- Window cleaners can help achieve clearer windows than just soap and water, but drying the windows with a microfiber cloth after washing also ensures a shiny finish. Be sure to clean both the interior and exterior of the glass.
- Use baby wipes to gently remove dirt from the windshield.
Warning
- Never use Windex or any glass cleaner with ammonia on tinted windows as ammonia can cause discoloration and peeling. Opt for a cleaner specifically designed for tinted glass.
- Keep children and pets inside the house while washing the car. Most cleaning chemicals can be toxic to both children and pets. If ingested, immediately contact poison control.
Items You Will Need
- Shaded working area
- Car wash soap
- Water hose
- Two large buckets
- Two specialized car wash gloves or sponges
- Wheel brush (optional)
- Bath towels, cotton cloths, or microfiber towels (ideal)
- Glass cleaner (optional)
- Vacuum cleaner
- Polish or wax
- Brush or cloth
- Environmentally friendly cleaning products (optional)
