Cleaning your car can be such a chore and buying all the necessary products can be expensive. With these easy car cleaning hacks, your car will look brand new without breaking the bank.
Car cleaning hacks that work!
When you want to clean your car yourself, you may think it involves a lot of research and investment into specialised products. However, with these simple car cleaning hacks, you will be pleasantly surprised at the results household products can have on both your car’s interior and exterior. Cleaning your car is not only good for aesthetic reasons but is also beneficial for its resale value. The benefits of having a clean car also include:
- Improved safety
- Longer vehicle life
- More fuel effiecent
- Good for your mental health!
Cleaning your car’s exterior will make it easier for other drivers to see you and also ensure dirt does not restrict your lights. A messy car interior can also pose a safety risk as loose objects can move around while the car is in motion and become a distraction. Moreover, these loose objects could easily roll under the driver’s pedals and restrict their usage, which can put other drivers or pedestrians in danger.
Mud and dirt can easily build-up on the exterior of your car and inevitably conceal corrosion. Regularly cleaning your car will make sure you are aware of any damage which needs to be fixed before it worsens and thus becomes more expensive.
The idea that having a clean car can reduce the amount of petrol you use seems impossible, doesn’t it? However, in terms of aerodynamics, a clean and waxed car allows for air to move freely across the surface and reduce resistance.
Being constantly surrounded by clutter can create a stressful environment and make you feel confined and trapped in an already fairly small space. Studies have found that lack of organisation can elevate stress hormones and result in fatigue. Removing the unnecessary clutter from your car will help you feel more in control and organised.
Oven cleaner
The accumulation of brake dust on alloy wheels can be very frustrating as it causes the wheels to appear less bright and polished. A lot of people tend to opt for soap and water when it comes to cleaning their alloy wheels, but this can take a lot of time and effort with not very visible results.
Before you start, wearing rubber gloves are recommended to avoid getting covered in dust or oven cleaner. It is also important to avoid using steel brushes as it will damage the material, you should instead opt for a sponge or nylon brush.
To clean your alloy wheels, all you need to do is spray the oven cleaner on and leave it to sit for a few minutes. You should then scrub it off and hose off any excess. For the best results, use a pressure cleaner instead of a hose.
If left untreated for too long, brake dust can cause staining and etching which you may not be able to fix yourself. Alloy Wheel refurbishment in Milton Keynes have a team of trained technicians to thoroughly advise you on the best way to have your wheels refurbished.
Toothpaste
Ultra-violet light from the sun can cause the headlights on your car to appear cloudy and discoloured. Foggy headlights do not only look bad but weaken the headlight beam and therefore reduce its area of coverage. This is potentially a safety issue as you are restricted to what you can see at night. All you need to do to restore your headlights is to apply a small amount of toothpaste to a cloth and rub the entire headlight in small circular motions. Due to toothpaste being a mild abrasive, it works exceptionally well as a polish substitute and will instantly improve your lights appearance. Another advantage of this hack is that no matter what weather conditions you drive in, your headlights will remain to look bright and shiny for around 2-4 months!
Silicone cupcake cases
If you are prone to collecting your spare change or other small items in your cup holders, lining them with silicone cupcake cases will save you the hassle of emptying each holder when it starts to get too cluttered. Another advantage of using silicone cupcake cases is that you can use them over and over again and wash them if you find they are getting dirty.
Kitchen Craft’s silicone cupcake cases will add a touch of colour to your car’s interior and keep it organised.
Vinegar and baking soda
Vinegar and baking soda may seem like an odd combination, but it works as a 2 in 1 upholstery cleaner and odour remover for your car. The items you will need to create your upholstery cleaner are:
- White Vinegar
- Warm Water
- Baking Soda
- A heavy duty bottle spray
Once you have made your solution, spray onto your car’s upholstery. You should then leave the mixture to sit for around 15 minutes before using a dry cloth or towel to absorb any excess moisture. However, if you have any tough stains such as coffee or ketchup, use a toothbrush to gently scrub the area and leave the mixture to penetrate the stains for half an hour.
Olive oil
When cleaning your car interior, you want to avoid using harsh chemical products which can be expensive and potentially damage your car. In fact, a cheap and effective alternative car cleaner is probably sitting in your kitchen cupboard right now. Using olive oil in your vehicle leaves pleasantly surprising results with very minimal materials or effort needed.
If you think your dashboard is looking dull, all you need to do is just put a few drops of olive oil onto a microfiber cleaning cloth and gently wipe the area. You will see instantly that your dashboard looks brand new and if there is any excess olive oil still on your dashboard, it can be easily removed with a dry cloth.
Car cleaning made simple
You may think cleaning your car only has the benefit of looking nice, however, taking care of your car’s interior will eliminate harmful bacteria that accumulates on your dashboard, upholstery and steering wheel. The above cleaning hacks make it easy for you to stay on top of your car cleaning routine and ensure every journey feels like you are driving a brand new car.
