Owning and operating a vehicle can be stressful, but it is an essential part of daily life for most people. To protect this investment, proper maintenance is necessary, but you may not know the correct methods to clean and protect your vehicle's interior and exterior body. Automatic car washes are convenient, but the cleaning solutions and equipment used can be too harsh for the paint and finish of your vehicle. Thankfully, you can clean and protect your car at home using natural, non-toxic solutions that will not damage or discolor your vehicle's paint finish and interior.
Exterior Body
Taking a natural approach to cleaning your vehicle's exterior is not only beneficial to its paint finish, but also for the environment. When washing your car, the chemicals in the car-washing solution will run off into storm drains, polluting nearby water sources. To clean the exterior of your vehicle without damage, discoloration, or pollution, use the following ingredients to create an all-natural, non-toxic solution:
- 4 gallons of water
- 1 gallon of white vinegar
Place a few microfiber sponges or cloths in the vinegar solution and allow to soak for a few minutes. Use the soaked sponges or cloths to wash one section of your vehicle at a time before rinsing with your garden hose. Work your way around the entire vehicle, washing with the vinegar solution and rinsing off with your hose.
If you notice stubborn patches of dirt, mold, or dead insects, your first inclination may be to use a more involved cleanser, but harsh chemicals are not necessary for removal. Soak a pair of pantyhose in the vinegar solution and wring out the excess liquid. Then, use the pantyhose to wash away stubborn patches of debris.
Add some of the vinegar solution to a spray bottle and douse your vehicle's windows, windshield, rear glass, and mirrors. Wash the glass surfaces with crumbled-up newspapers for a streak-free shine.
After washing the body of your vehicle, spend some time on the tires and rims. If necessary, remove any small pebbles, chunks of dried mud, or other debris from in between the tread of your tires. Then, combine the following ingredients to make a cleaning solution for your tire rims:
- 1 gallon of warm after
- 1 cup of baking soda
- 1 cup of lemon juice
Use a soft-bristled brush to apply the solution to the tires and rims. Allow it to sit for 20 minutes before rinsing off with your hose. The combination of water and baking soda will dissolve away dirt, dust, and debris while the lemon juice enhances the shine of your aluminum or chrome rims.
Interior
You do not have to spend a lot of time in your car for the interior to become dirty, but periodic cleaning will help it remain clean and appealing.
Remove all of the floor mats to get started. Place the mats on a flat surface in your driveway or garage. Use a vacuum attachment to remove all dirt, food, and small pieces of trash from the inside of your vehicle. Vacuum the floorboards, seats, and cargo or trunk space. Make sure to vacuum in between and under your seats, as well.
You can also use your vacuum to clean the upholstered mats. If your mats are vinyl, wash with the vinegar solution. Rinse off with your hose and allow to dry before placing back into the vehicle.
After vacuuming, wipe down other surfaces using a microfiber cloth. Use the cloth to remove dust, dirt, and hair from the dashboard, vinyl or leather seats, and interior of doors.
To protect the leather inside your vehicle, apply a few drops of saddle soap to a microfiber pad or cloth. Use to wipe down the leather seats and other leather surfaces inside your vehicle. The saddle soap will clean, protect, and soften the leather, ensuring it remains clean, comfortable, and appealing.
Maintaining the exterior and interior of your vehicle is important for protecting its appeal and value, but you do not need to use dangerous scrubbing brushes or harsh cleaning chemicals. With these natural, non-toxic solutions, you can clean and protect the exterior and interior of the vehicle. For more care tips, contact a company like Central Body Co Inc.
