If you are thinking about getting your car a professional detailing, stop right there. Professional detailing costs anything between $200-$500, so it is expensive, and when you think about it, you can do it yourself for a lot less money. Oh, and don’t worry, it is pretty straightforward. Professionals tend to bring their own equipment, some of which you might have at home, but you end up paying for those as well. Anyhow, keeping your car in “brand new” condition will result in better resale value.
Most sellers’ common mistake is that they get a last-minute detailing in hopes of increasing the value of their car, which does no good. When you go to a dealership to get your vehicle appraised, those professionals can easily see beyond the new detailing. A well-maintained vehicle is what fetches you good money, not a well-cleaned car.
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Cleaning Materials And Tools
Before we get into the detailing part, let us first discuss the equipment and tools you will need.
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- A small vacuum cleaner with an extension hose and hand-held attachments is ideally the best choice.
- Gather all the chemical cleaning products you have to clean various surfaces such as carpets, plastic, vinyl, etc. Make a check of all the types of car surfaces and gather the chemical cleaners to clean those surfaces.
- Since you are putting in so much effort and time, you might just use the best products to add some polish and shine to your car’s surface. An assortment of hand towels and rags would be the best choice. To avoid scratches, make sure you use a microfiber cloth.
- To get each nook and clean of every little dust particle, you will need different-sized brushes. These will help you reach every little corner. Make sure you use the proper applicator to get the best results.
If you have any doubt about the cleaner and whether to use it on your car surface, make sure you test it out on an inconspicuous area as a sort of patch test.
With that addressed, let’s start.
Gather The Trash
Car cleaning is a process, a step-by-step recipe of sorts. So, first, start by collecting all the trash from the cupholders, the floor mats, the dashboard, door pockets, seat pockets, etc. Remove all the extra items such as documents, car seats, chargers, cables, etc., from the car.
Remove And Clean The Floor Mats
With the trash out of the way, the next step is to deal with the dirtiest item in the car, the floor mats. Remove all the floor mats for easier cleaning. Give each mat a good shake and vacuum them nicely. Depending on the material of the floormat, clean it with a suitable cleaner. For silicone or rubber mats, dip them into a tub of water mixed with a few drops of liquid dish wash. Use a scrub brush to get rid of any extra dirt. For carpets, use a carpet cleaner and follow the instructions. After cleaning the mats, let them air-dry while you get onto the next step.
Clean The Windows And The Mirror
If you have an ammonia-free window cleaner, use it in a spray bottle and make sure to use a microfiber cloth. You can also make your window cleaner by mixing equal parts of distilled white vinegar with water in a spray bottle. Use this to clean the haze from your interior windows.
Clean The Center Console
If you have a detachable cup holder, soak it in soapy water to eliminate any grease or stains. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe it clean. To access tight corners, make use of a toothbrush, wet cotton swab, or you can also use a ball of slime. Slime can reach all the tight corners, and it will hold onto even the smallest of dirt particles. Do not rub any brush or tool too hard; you don’t want to leave any scratches.
Clean The Dashboard
First, get rid of all the dust using a duster. Next, use a damp cloth to clean any stains or marks. Use a cotton ball or slime to access the vents, small corners, and knobs. Make sure you use a damp microfiber cloth to give a final clean.
Disinfect The Steering Wheel
Think about all the hands that may have touched your steering wheel. It is vital to eliminate the build-up of germs from your steering wheel. Use a disinfectant wipe to clean your steering wheel and gear shift.
Clean The Car Seats
If you have leather seats, first use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of the dirt and grime from the corners of the seat. Next, use a leather cleaner to wipe down the seats. You can also go over with a leather conditioner to restore the shine of the seat.
If you have cloth car seats, begin by vacuuming down the seats, and don’t forget the corners and the stitches. Pre-treat heavy stains with a bit of upholstery cleaner. Once you deal with the stains, clean the entire seat. Use a scrub to get the cleaner deep into the seats. Next, use a wet microfiber cloth to clean the cleaner and dirt. Allow the seats to air-dry.
Vacuum the interior
Use a vacuum to collect all the dirt and debris that may be on your car floor. If you have carpet, use a carpet cleaner to get rid of any stains. Make sure you vacuum over the sides of the door. Then, go over the door using a damp microfiber cloth and get all the dirt collected into the door pocket.
A Clean Smell
If your car smells stale, sprinkle some baking soda over the carpet and cloth seats and let it sit overnight. Vacuum it away the next day. You can also put some activated charcoal in an airtight container, make some holes on the lid and keep it under the seat. Change the contents every month.
In Summary
That is all you need to do to clean your car. Now that you know the process doesn’t it sound crazy spending hundreds of dollars over it? Follow the steps mentioned above to keep your car in mint condition.
