Buzz
Constantly running to the store for expensive cleaning products just for your car can be a waste of time. However, keeping your car clean offers numerous benefits, not only helping maintain your vehicle better but also positively impacting your mood and perception. You won’t need to buy costly cleaning products and can still care for your car effectively using materials readily available at home.
Steps
Cleaning the Exterior of the Car
Wash the car using a hose or a bucket of water. Try to loosen any dirt or sand stuck on the car and scrub the entire exterior surface, as your task will be easier once the grime is removed. Grit and dirt can scratch the car’s paint during the washing process.
Clean salt and stubborn grime from your car using baking soda. Mix 1 cup of baking soda with 4 liters of hot soapy water to create an effective cleaning solution, especially useful for winter buildup stains.
Remove tree sap with rubbing alcohol. You can dissolve tar and tree sap using rubbing alcohol or peanut butter. Dab peanut butter or margarine onto the stained area and let it sit for about a minute, then wipe it clean with a cloth. You may need to repeat this process a few times to completely remove the sap.
- Rubbing alcohol is also highly effective at dissolving tar and tree sap.
Wash your car with shampoo. Shampoo is an excellent household cleaner that can effectively remove grease and grime from your car's body. Baby shampoo is ideal, as its gentle ingredients won't harm the car's paint.
Mix 2 teaspoons of shampoo with 8 liters of water. Use a soft cloth when scrubbing the car to avoid scratching the paint. Avoid using too much shampoo, as undiluted detergent can also damage the car's finish.
Use a duster to clean hard-to-reach areas. If you struggle to access spots like the roof, hood, or other tight areas, this tool will be your best ally.
Use rubbing alcohol to clean dirt buildup on the windshield wiper blades.
Soak a cloth in alcohol, lift the wiper blade, and wipe along the rubber edge of the blade.
Cleaning Hard Surfaces and Gear Shift
Wipe all surfaces with a damp cloth. This step removes grime from interior surfaces and prevents dirt from spreading to seats or the car floor.
Use toothpaste to remove stains. You can clean leather or vinyl seats by gently scrubbing toothpaste onto the stains.
- Always test the cleaner on a small area first. Cleaning agents may affect the dye of interior surfaces.
Switch to rubbing alcohol if toothpaste doesn’t work. Dab a small amount of alcohol on the stain after testing it on the surface you plan to clean.
- The more alcohol you use, the stronger the cleaning effect, but it also increases the risk of discoloration on car surfaces.
Create a cleaning solution by mixing equal parts water and rubbing alcohol. Spray the mixture onto hard surfaces and wipe clean with a fabric-softener-treated cloth to avoid lint residue.
Try a solution of 1 part vinegar mixed with 1 part linseed oil. This is also an excellent mixture for removing dirt and grime inside the car. An added benefit of this solution is its ability to polish leather seat surfaces.
Sprinkle baking soda into the car’s ashtray. Baking soda will absorb unpleasant odors and keep the car smelling fresh. If you don’t smoke, you can store some baking soda in the ashtray to act as an air purifier.
Clean the car’s storage compartment with a baby wipe. Remove any trash or dust that may have accumulated there. Items like snacks are often forgotten in the car’s storage compartment, making the car appear less tidy.
Apply homemade protective solutions to vinyl and hard surfaces. Mix 1 part lemon juice with 2 parts olive oil in a small bowl. This solution is not suitable for pedals, gear shifts, or any driving-related components. The protective layer will smooth surfaces you wouldn’t want to slip on while driving.
Dab a small amount of the solution onto a cloth and apply it to the dashboard, plastic, and vinyl surfaces. This mixture will polish and shine hard interior surfaces.
Cleaning Fabric Surfaces
Vacuum thoroughly and remove debris or dirt particles. Skipping this step can complicate your task, as dirt may spread into the fabric.
Remove grease stains with cornstarch. Sprinkle cornstarch over the grease stains and set a timer for 30 minutes. Once the time is up, vacuum the cornstarch and check the stain’s condition.
- Some experts recommend mixing cornstarch with a bit of water to form a paste, then applying it to the stain. Let the paste dry before brushing away both the paste and the stain.
Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto stains and let it soak for a while before blotting dry.
Use a damp cloth to dab and remove stains. If the above method doesn’t work, you can gently scrub or try a stronger cleaning agent. Some cleaners are particularly effective for specific stains. A quick online search can help you find the right product for your needs.
Remove grass stains with hydrogen peroxide. Soak the grass stain in 3% hydrogen peroxide, then wash as usual.
- If hydrogen peroxide isn’t available, pretreat the stain with a solution of equal parts white vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and warm water. Scrub the mixture onto the stain and wash normally.
Fade burn marks with fresh onion. This method works well for cigarette burn marks. Press the cut side of an onion onto the burn. Once the onion juice soaks into the fabric, soak the stain in water to reduce its appearance.
Create a strong cleaning solution. Mix 1 cup of Dawn dish soap (blue), 1 cup of white vinegar, and 1 cup of soda water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution generously onto stains and scrub with a brush.
Improving Air Quality Inside the Car
Create a spray solution to eliminate mold and bacteria. This mixture will enhance the air circulating through the car’s ventilation system. Use it sparingly to avoid overly strong effects.
Clean the ventilation system. Do this by spraying a solution of water and hydrogen peroxide into the car’s vents. You can locate the ventilation system by referring to the car manufacturer’s manual.
Mix 1 cup of water with 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle. Shake gently but thoroughly to dissolve the solution.
Open the car doors and windows, and turn the car fan to its highest setting. Spray the water/hydrogen peroxide solution into the car’s ventilation system. This solution will kill mold and bacteria but is gentler than most cleaning products, avoiding irritation to the lungs or eyes.
Create a car deodorizer. Place ¼ cup of baking soda in a small jar, poke a few holes in the lid, or cover the jar with a piece of cheesecloth. You can put the jar in the car’s cup holder or tuck it discreetly in the seatback pocket.
- Add a few drops of essential oil for a pleasant scent along with the deodorizing effect of baking soda.
Place a few dryer sheets under the seats, beneath the floor mats, and in the seatback pockets. This will help eliminate persistent odors in the car. If you frequently exercise or engage in physical activities, you can place a dryer sheet in the trunk or a compartment to neutralize strong sports-related smells.
Cleaning Car Windows
Do this step last. While you might want to clean the windows first, many prefer doing it last to avoid having freshly cleaned glass get dirty again while cleaning other parts of the car.
Skip paper towels. Newspapers and microfiber cloths are highly absorbent, and you won’t have to worry about lint or streaks left on the glass. These are also cost-effective alternatives, as microfiber cloths are reusable and newspapers are cheaper than other paper products.
Wipe the windows from top to bottom. This method prevents you from having to rewipe water streaks. Clean the outside and inside of the glass in different directions to easily spot any missed spots.
Make your own glass cleaner. Homemade glass cleaner is not only cheaper but also an eco-friendly solution you can take pride in using.
Mix 1 cup of water, half a cup of vinegar, and ¼ cup of rubbing alcohol to create a glass cleaner. Shake the spray bottle gently to dissolve the ingredients. Once mixed, the solution is ready to use.
- Vinegar and water alone can also work effectively if rubbing alcohol isn’t available.
Spray the solution onto the glass. Remember to wipe from top to bottom using a suitable cloth or old newspaper. If the windows are extremely dirty, use two cloths—one to remove stubborn grime and another to wipe again for a clean, dry finish.
Remove insect residue from the car using undiluted vinegar. Spray vinegar onto the windows and windshield, then wipe clean. For stubborn stains, let the vinegar sit for a while before wiping.
- Mineral water is also said to help loosen insect residue after soaking for a few minutes.
Use steel wool (0000) to remove stubborn water spots.
Gently scrub the windshield with steel wool in a circular motion.
Rinse and let it dry.
Tips
- Clean the windshield, windows, and other glass surfaces last.
Warnings
- Avoid using excessive alcohol when mixing interior car cleaning solutions. Precise ingredient ratios are crucial; follow instructions carefully.
- Be mindful of environmental regulations. Washing your car in areas with water restrictions or environmental concerns may be illegal. Ensure you only wash your car in appropriate and permitted locations.
- Never use room deodorizing sprays inside the car, as they can leave noticeable stains on seat upholstery.
What You'll Need
- Baby wipes
- Baking soda
- Bucket
- Brush
- Dryer sheets
- Duster
- Fabric softener sheets
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Shampoo
- Small jar (for deodorizer)
- Linseed oil
- Rubbing alcohol
- Soft cloths/towels/newspaper
- Spray bottle
- Vinegar
- Water
