DIY Car Wash Methods to Keep your Vehicle Spotlessly Clean

Be it the interior or the exterior, everyone wants their vehicle to look spotlessly clean, and there’s no way more satisfying than washing your vehicle at home yourself. Since car washes are something you regularly have to pay for, the experts at Auffenberg of Carbondale have compiled the best DIY ways to effectively wash your car yourself. So let’s dive right into it! 

But before we begin, here’s a checklist of items to gather: 

1. Two buckets of water 

Get two buckets of water; one bucket is for mixing car shampoo, and the other is for filling clean water to rinse the mitten. Using a grit guard for each bucket is advised to filter out the dirt and debris.

2. Water hose 

We’re sure you’ve seen water hoses in TV commercials. A water hose is required for spray cleaning the vehicle. Experts have concluded that pressure between 1200-1900 PSI is safe for modern vehicles. However, higher pressure than that may cause damage to the car paint. 

3. Microfiber Mitten 

Microfiber mittens are incredibly soft, highly absorbent, and scratch-free. They are preferred to be used on the vehicle’s surface to avoid scratching or leaving marks behind.

4. Soft-bristled Brush 

Removing dirt particles from rougher parts, such as tires, is often required. You can also use microfibre mittens for the tires. However, it would help if you separated them from the one applied to the vehicle’s body.

5. Microfibre Drying Towel 

After washing, you need to dry the vehicle as well. Leaving the car to dry naturally may leave water spots that can damage the paint. To avoid this, use a microfiber drying towel, which is highly absorbent and scratch-free.

6. Car Wax 

Car wax is applied after completely drying out the vehicle’s surface to retain the shine and prevent dust particles from accumulating quickly. Then, apply wax using a soft fibre cloth in small circular motions. Like frosting on a cake, car wax enhances the look of a clean car.

7. Glass Cleaner 

There’s nothing better than sparkling glass shining in the sun. But, to achieve that, you need to use a glass cleaner. Glass windows and mirrors cannot be efficiently cleaned using water and soap; thus, using a glass cleaner becomes essential.

8. Vacuum 

Regular vacuums are less convenient for cleaning cars; thus, we suggest you get a vacuum specifically for your car. It helps you clean the interior.

How to Clean Your Vehicle

Step 1: The first step is finding a spot with no direct sunlight on the car. The heat from the sun will dry the water quickly, leave water spots on the vehicle, and can cause damage to its finishing.

Step 2: Once your vehicle is in a safe spot, rinse it water using the hose from top to bottom, letting the water flow downwards.

Step 4: Fill one bucket with clean water and the other with water and car shampoo mixture. Follow the instructions listed on the bottle. 

Step 3: Soak the microfiber mitten in soapy water and wipe the car in straight lines instead of circular motion. Circular motion has a high chance of causing micro-scratches, so be careful.

Step 4: After wiping it a few times, rinse the mitten in clean water to avoid residual dirt particles from contaminating the rest of the vehicle’s surface. Then, repeat the process all over the vehicle’s body.

Step 5: Perform similar patterns with the tires. However, you should use a soft-bristled brush to scrub and remove dirt from the tires gently. If unavailable, keep a separate mitten for tires.

Step 6: Wash off all the soap. Take the dry towel and gently wipe it across the surface in straight lines.

Step 7: After drying out the vehicle thoroughly, spray the glass cleaner on the windshield and windows. Next, apply the car wax to the vehicle’s body. This will give your car a shiny look and protect against excessive dirt accumulation.

How to DIY interior clean your Vehicle’s Mats

Cleaning your vehicle’s interior is almost as essential as thoroughly washing its exterior. For example, you wouldn’t want your car’s mats to look like they’ve been dragged through debris whenever someone sits inside! 

The good news is that it’s quite easy to clean your vehicle’s mats as long as you follow these steps below:

Step 1: Remove the floor mats, and clean them with a mixture of water and soap. You can also use a matt cleaner instead. Scrub the mats gently with a brush. 

Step 2: Let the mats dry completely before putting them back inside the car.

Step 3: Next, use the vacuum to clean the seats and the area where the mats are to be placed. You can optionally use different cleaners to clean the seats, especially leather ones, and give them a new shiny look. 

Commercial Car Wash or DIY Car Wash: Which is better?

In the case of DIY car washes, you’re the one in control. You know which equipment to use for your vehicle. You can decide the type of car soap you want and adjust the water pressure accordingly. 

You can even scrub it more efficiently than the standard scrubbing to remove any stubborn dirt particles. So even though the process is a little time-consuming, the results are satisfactory enough to invest your time and energy.

On the other hand, commercial car washes are pre-set and follow a standard repetitive automated procedure that hardly involves labour. As a result, the water pressure setting may not suit certain vehicles, damaging the paint. 

There’s a high chance that you may miss out on some spots while cleaning. However, it’s a time-effective solution and suits corporations or people who own multiple cars well.

Why does my car look dull even after a DIY car wash?

Exposure to harsh UV rays from sunlight can cause oxidation, making your car look dull even after a carwash. However, this shouldn’t be a concern if you get a car wash weekly.

We suggest washing your vehicle once a week. However, one answer that fits all doesn’t apply here. It can vary depending on the environment the car is exposed to. For example, areas with dirt roads and frequent sandstorms may need a car wash much more frequently than greener areas, dust-free areas.  

Conclusion

With basic knowledge and the right equipment, you can maintain your vehicle by washing it regularly. Washing your car hardly takes an hour, and you can easily incorporate it into your Sunday morning routine.

However, if you cannot make enough time to DIY wash your car, you can avail the most affordable car wash services in Carbondale, IL, at Auffenberg of Carbondale.