How to Clean Cars

Having clean cars takes more than just running the car through an automatic car wash. This method cleans only the exterior of the cars. This can be likened to simply washing one's face, leaving the rest of the body filthy and smelly. Having a clean car requires a complete interior cleaning including removing floor mats and vacuuming the floor underneath them. Floor mats that are beyond cleaning might need to be replaced.

Things You'll Need

• Vacuum
• Damp and dry rags
• Window washing fluid
• Brush
• New floor mats (optional)
• Heavy sponge

Instructions

Cleaning the Interior of Cars

1. 

   Gather all junk that is sitting on top or beneath the seats. This includes empty soda cans, fast food leftovers and other items that smell up a car. Lift and remove the floor mats and shake them outside the car to remove loose dirt. Use a hose and wash them and allow to dry outside. Vacuum the area under the mats

2. 

   Remove and empty the front ashtray. Wipe the inside with a moist rag and replace. Do the same for the ashtrays in the back (if any). Wash the dashboard in front and under the rear window ledge and dry to a shine. Using a mild window cleaner, wash the inside of the rear window and front and side windows.

3. 

   Vacuum the upholstery in the front and back seats. Spray stains and spots with an upholstery cleaner and rub with a dry cloth until the stains are removed or look better. Wipe down the arm rests and the area beneath the windows.

4. 

   Put back all the floor mats that you removed. If they look worn and torn, replace them with a new set of mats. Check the entire inside of the car to see if you missed cleaning something. Once you are convinced that the car interior is clean, spray it with a new car scent to give it a fresh, out-of-the-dealer-clean aroma.

Cleaning the Exterior of the Car

1. 

   Make sure that you hose wash the car (on an allowed water-use day) in front of your house or in a do-it-yourself wash site. Clean the windshield by sprinkling a little baking soda on the dirty windshield and scrubbing it with a wet sponge. Pull out the window washers and wipe them down at the same time with the same sponge.

2. 

   Give the car a heavy spray of water from top to bottom. Use the bucket and fill with clean water, adding about a capful of any one of the earth-friendly biodegradable dishwashing liquids on the market. Wash the car by starting at the top and working downward toward the wheels. A car that has been recently waxed will bead up when sprayed with water and does not need to be waxed again. Overwaxing can be as bad as not waxing.

3. 

   Use a large rubber sponge dipped in a pail of soapy water and wash the top of the car using a circular motion. If you have a problem reaching the top of the car, stand on a small stepstool. Wash one side at a time until the entire top of the car has been gently scrubbed and is soapy.

4. 

   Move down to one side of the car at a time, soaping and scrubbing the windows, doors, beneath the door and the front and back tires. Make sure you clean both headlights, side and rear windows and the trunk of the car. By this time the entire car should be soapy, scrubbed and wet.

5. 

   Start at the roof of the car and give it a good hosing down to get rid of all the suds, dirt and grime. Follow up by using a clean towel rag to dry off the car surface. This might be a two-towel job, since you also need to wipe and dry the front grill and headlights. Use a clean chamois on the dry car in a back-and-forth circular motion to shine the car until you can see your face in it.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not keep garbage in the car. Put a plastic bag on the seat and toss used food containers or soda cans right into the bag and at the end of the day put the bag in the trash. Recycle cans and bottles. Make a ball of aluminum foil to remove any rust spots from chrome areas.