Cleaning your own car is not an easy task, this is why professional car retailers exist. However, cleaning your own car at home can be easily done at home. While it is tempting to buy all the expensive products available in stores, it is not necessary to do so when cleaning your vehicle at home. These cleaning tips are tested and proven.
30. Try using essential oils
Rather than spend money for a “new car” smell, pour a few drops of essential oil on a cloth that you leave close to the aeration during your cleaning.
29. Use Petroleum jelly for a shiny interior
Vaseline also known as Petroleum jelly can be applied inside and on the dashboard of a vehicle to create a shiny finish. It’s much cheaper than “Armor All” and just as effective.
28. Use coal to absorb bad smells
Charcoal absorbs odours. To rid the vehicles of stubborn odours, place a few pieces of coal under the seats.
27. Make a cheap car wash solution with everyday ingredients
Mix a spoonful of baking soda and a spoonful of liquid detergent in a bucket of water for an efficient and inexpensive car wash solution.
26. Remove dust
With a brush or an old toothbrush, remove dust from harder-to-reach areas such as the ventilation system.
25. Brush rubber mats
Use a stiff bristle brush and soapy water to clean your rubber mats. Soak them and let them sit in the sun for at least fifteen minutes before rinsing them to remove difficult stains.
24. Use a squeegee to remove dog hair
Pet hair can be hard to remove from fabric seats. Lightly spray the seats with water and run the rubber squeegee (brush sponge) on the seats to remove the hair.
23. Remove grease and oil stains with cornstarch
Grease and oil stains can be removed from leather and fabric by applying cornstarch to the affected area. Let stand for ten minutes and the starch will absorb the stain.
22. Use kerosene for a cheap gloss finish
Another alternative to costly and expensive wax finishes is to use kerosene. Use a solution of kerosene and water and wipe the car dry for a shine worthy of a professional.
21. Use olive oil to keep the leather looking brand new
After washing the leather seats with hot soapy water, rub a small amount of olive oil on the seats to prevent them from drying out and cracking.
20. DIY slime to remove dust and dirt
A homemade mixture of liquid starch, glue and water produces a sticky slime that is perfect for capturing dirt and dust from the interior surfaces of the vehicle.
19. Keep baby wipes handy for regular cleaning
Keep a pack of baby wipes in the car and use them regularly to wipe surfaces. This will help to prevent dust and dirt from accumulating.
18. Use bleach to get glossy black tires
Tire cleaning products are expensive. Use bleach mixed with hot water to bring back the gloss on your tires.
17. Protect vinyl surfaces with lemon juice and olive oil
Vinyl coatings and hard surfaces are at risk of unsightly cracks if they are not protected. Use a solution of lemon juice and olive oil to keep them shiny and free from cracks.
16. Use toothpaste to clean headlights
Rub toothpaste on your headlights, wait a few minutes, then rinse.
15. Wash the car with baby shampoo
Spots caused by mud, grease or bird droppings can be quickly eliminated by pouring baby shampoo on a clean, moist cloth and rubbing the stains in a circular motion.
14. DIY solution for windscreen wipers
Mix ammonia and cold water for a very efficient cleaning solution. Apply it on the wipers with a cotton ball or a clean towel.
This is what you will need: 1 cup of water + 1/4 cup of ammonia.
13. Use fabric softener sheets to remove insects
Old and dried insects can be difficult to remove from your car with soap and water. Wet a dryer sheet and rub the affected area.
12. Clean your windows with white vinegar
Rather than using the chemical blue product from the store, use white vinegar in a spray bottle for scratch-free windows. Wipe with a newspaper rather than a towel to avoid fluff.
11. Use a clean diaper to absorb liquids
If liquid like a water bottle or juice box tips over into your car, take a diaper and absorb it.
10. Stop leaks with a gum
If you have a leak somewhere, a gum can be temporarily used to stop the leak until it can be repaired by a professional.
9. Remove sticky spots with a magic eraser
Dip a magic eraser into Lysol to clean stubborn sticky stains from surfaces inside the vehicle.
8. Use Q-Tips to clean hard-to-reach areas
When the space is too small for a cloth or towel, a Q-tip may be useful.
7. Use a screwdriver to clean small spaces
For difficult-to-reach spaces such as small holes, a screwdriver with a soft cloth can be used to remove dust and stubborn dirt.
6. Use white vinegar to improve your cleaner
Adding a few tablespoons of vinegar to any cleaning solution will greatly increase its potency. It can be used on windows and vinyl linings.
5. Remove dried spots with mayonnaise
Big stains can be easily removed with mayonnaise. Let stand for five to ten minutes and then wipe with a clean cloth.
4. Remove resistant stains with club soda
Resistant stains (wine, blood, etc.) can be easily removed by applying club soda on them.
Wait a few minutes and then wipe with a towel.
3. Clean the entire window thoroughly
Do not do the work halfway, go down the window to remove the dirt on the top of the window and bringit back up to clean everything perfectly.
2. Remove burn spots with a raw onion
This little-known trick can save the resale value of a car. Apply a cut onion on a burn on leather or vinyl. Wait, then rinse with warm water to reduce its appearance.
1. Hide fabric softener sheets in the car for a nice smell.
Change them every week to keep a nice smell in the car.
Sources :
- AutoInfo
- WikiHow
