How to Keep Your Car Clean

If you're anything like me, you couldn't do without your car. Yet, your busy life prevents you from keeping it looking it's best at all times. These easy steps will show you how to manage that with minimal effort.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Find a good touchless automatic car wash location. By good I mean one that absolutely does not employ the use of soapy flaps or brushes - period. In the area of VA I live in, most BP gas stations have these. Usually they have a choice of washes ranging between $7-11. Choose the most expensive wash you can afford and try to get one that includes a wax agent.
2. Upon exiting the car wash, immediately find a spot (preferably near the coin operated vacuums) at the station to pull over into and towel dry the entire vehicle. Do not wait until you drive home to do this. Use the small absorbent towels specifically made for drying a car and try to get up all possible moisture.
3. Use the coin operated vacuum cleaners at the gas station to vacuum the interior of the car. Maximize the time limits on these by removing all floor mats and putting the front seats as far back as they will go. Keep the floor mats flat on the ground, very close to the vacuum so that they can be cleaned as well.
4. Use Armor All wipes to clean all vinyl areas inside and outside of the vehicle.
5. Use moist window cleaner wipes to clean the inside and outside of all the windows, the mirrors and the vehicle's lights.
6. By this time, the tires should be dry as well and you should liberally spray self-dissolving tire cleaner foam on them (no rinsing necessary).
7. By following this regimen approx. every six weeks, you can keep your vehicle looking clean and sharp with minimal effort.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your supplies (Armor All wipes, window cleaner wipes, towels, tire foam) in a sturdy plastic tub in the trunk of your car at all times so that if you're already out, there's no need to run home to get them.
• Also, these supplies last for months, so there is no need to purchase them each time.
• Get into the habit of cleaning off bird droppings from your vehicle as soon as you notice them. This stuff can ruin a paint job. Just use a window cleaner wipe, which you should already have in the car.
• Also make it a habit to dispose of any trash you may have in the car throughout the day. Take advantage of those conveniently located trash cans positioned along your favorite fast food drive-through or outside almost every retail store.