If you want to clean the car, you can choose to clean only the body and wheels, or clean the entire vehicle; interior and exterior. Before cleaning the exterior of the car, make sure the vehicle body is cool and in the shade. Use a cleaner made specifically for washing the vehicle body and wheels. To clean the interior of the car, remove the floor mats and remove all trash. Use a vacuum cleaner to clean the interior of the car and a cleaning soap to clean carpets and upholstery. Complete the process of cleaning the inside and outside of the car using a window cleaner.
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Part 1 of 5: Preparing the Necessities for a Car Wash
Step 1. Park the car in the shade
If the car body is hot from exposure to the sun or after driving, wait for the car to cool down before cleaning. It may take 20-30 minutes for this.
Heat can make soap and water dry faster. Therefore, wait until the car is cool to avoid the formation of soap and water stains
Step 2. Prepare all the necessary equipment
Take two buckets, car cleaning soap, a soft natural sponge or wool cloth, washcloth, wheel cleaner, soft towel, and car wax near the vehicle. This equipment is needed to clean the outside of the car.
Also prepare equipment to clean the interior of the car. This equipment includes a vacuum cleaner, garbage bags, glass cleaners, foam seat cleaners, carpet cleaners, cotton sticks, paper napkins, and rags
Step 3. Fill both buckets with water
One bucket will be used to lather the washcloth while the other bucket is used for rinsing the cloth. Fill one of the buckets with special car soap according to the instructions.
Do not use dish soap or hand soap to clean the car. This household cleaner is quite harsh and can erode the wax layer on the car
Part 2 of 5: Car Body Wash
Step 1. Flush the car using a water hose
Wet the entire surface of the car before soaping it. Make sure all dirt and debris is removed so that the car is not scratched. Remove leaves, twigs, and other debris by hand.
Set the water pressure to a high setting to remove dirt, debris, and sticky dust. However, make sure the pressure is not so high that it can damage the wax or paint of the car
Step 2. Clean the car thoroughly, from top to bottom, not to miss any parts
Make sure you rinse each section with water after you've finished cleaning with soap. This step prevents the soap from drying on the car.
Step 3. Beat the soap until it foams using a sponge or wool cloth
Then, rub the car body in a straight up and down motion. Do not rub the car in a circular motion. Rubbing the car in a circular motion will leave circular marks.
Step 4. Rinse the sponge frequently
Rinse the sponge in a second bucket of water after use. If the sponge falls to the ground, make sure you rinse it with water. Otherwise, the adhering dirt can scratch the car.
Step 5. Don't let the car dry by itself
This will leave water stains and marks. Instead, use a soft towel or car wash (canebo), either synthetic or natural, to dry it. Don't dry the car by wiping it, just stick the rag to absorb the water.
Part 3 of 5: Cleaning the Wheels
Step 1. Fill both buckets with water
Pour the cleaning liquid into one of the buckets. Make sure you use a cleaner that is safe for the surface of the wheels. Do not use caustic cleaners containing acids, or dish soap. This kind of cleaner can damage the outer layer of the wheel.
One bucket will be used for cleaning the wheels and the other for rinsing the sponge
Step 2. Dip a soft sponge into the bucket of cleaning solution
After the sponge has soaked for a few minutes, start cleaning the wheels one at a time, top to bottom. To clean narrow crevices, use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
If the wheels are very dirty, you may need to use a degreaser before cleaning them
Step 3. Rinse and dry the wheels
After cleaning, rinse the wheels thoroughly with water until all dirt and debris is removed. Then, dry the wheel with a soft cloth.
Repeat steps one through three for each wheel
Part 4 of 5: Polishing Your Car with Wax
Step 1. Cut the clay sticks into three or four equal parts
Take a piece of clay and flatten it so that you can hold it with three fingers. Spray enough lubricant for clay on the surface of the car (about 60x60 cm). Then, rub the clay on the lubricated area in a back and forth motion (not a circular motion).
- Once the piece of clay begins to glide smoothly over the surface of the car and you don't hear or feel any roughness, move on to the next area.
- Make sure you use a clean piece of clay to work on the next area.
- The clay rod is used to remove microscopic dirt from the car body to prevent scratches from forming during the waxing process.
Step 2. Pour a small amount of polishing liquid on the washcloth
Rub the wax on the car body in an up and down motion. Do not use circular motions, and do not apply wax to window or door trim. Use gentle pressure when applying the wax for a smooth and even coat.
Make sure you apply a thin layer of wax, not too thick. The rule of thumb is that it's better to apply multiple thin layers than to apply one thick layer at a time
Step 3. Use a microfiber towel to apply wax
Move the towel up and down, do not use a circular motion. We recommend using a high-quality towel to avoid scratching.
Generally you should let the wax dry before applying, but it depends on the formula used. To be on the safe side, follow the instructions listed on the product
Part 5 of 5: Cleaning the Car Interior
Step 1. Remove the floor mat
Shake to remove dust, dirt and debris. Put it on the floor and clean it using a vacuum cleaner. You can do it later or right away. Up to you.
Step 2. Clean up large trash
Pick up large trash such as newsprint, coins, pens, and other objects from the car floor by hand. Put it in the trash bag. Wear latex gloves to keep your hands from getting dirty.
- Use a skewer or chopsticks to clean dirt and debris stuck in narrow crevices such as between chairs.
- Make sure you also remove the trash from the cup holder.
Step 3. Spray glass cleaner to clean the glass/bottle holder
Leave it for 5-10 minutes. Then, use a paper towel to wipe off any dirt and sticky dust. Use a skewer to remove sticky dust and dirt from the narrow crevices.
Or, attach an old sock to the bottom of a glass or water bottle. Then, place the glass in the cup holder and swirl it around to remove any dirt and sticky dust
Step 4. Clean the entire interior of the car, from top to bottom, with a vacuum cleaner
Start with the top of the seat, dashboard, and console before working on the floor. Use the upholstery nozzle to vacuum up chairs, upholstered areas, and headliners. Use the brush nozzles to clean parts containing hard vinyl, plastic, and metal such as dashboards and consoles. To clean crevices and tight areas, use a flat-nosed nozzle.
Push the chair back or forward to clean hard-to-reach areas under the seat
Step 5. Use a carpet cleaner to clean carpet stains
Spray carpet cleaner on the stain and use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub it. Try not to spray too much cleaner on the carpet as it can cause mildew if not thoroughly dried.
Use a clean, dry towel to absorb the water and dry the carpet
Step 6. Spray a foam cleaner on the stain
Scrub the cleaner with a soft-bristled brush. Let the cleaner dry. Use a vacuum cleaner to clean it according to the instructions. If the stain hasn't gone away, spray the cleaner one more time on the stain and rub again until the stain is gone.
If the upholstery is upholstered in leather, make sure you use a leather cleaner or saddle soap to clean the upholstery and other components that contain leather
Step 7. Use wet wipes to clean the dashboard and console
Make sure the wet wipes used are specifically made for cars. You can buy them at your local auto supply store. Use a cotton swab to clean small areas such as radio buttons, air vents, and panel linings.
If you don't have car wipes, use an all-purpose cleaner that's ammonia-free
Step 8. Clean the windows with glass cleaner
You can use a glass cleaner that you use at home. Instead of spraying the cleaner directly on the window pane, spray it on a clean microfiber towel first. Then, wipe the inside and outside of the window in an up and down motion.
Lower the window pane so that you can thoroughly clean the top of the window
Step 9. Perform vacuuming one more time
This will remove any sticky dirt and dust that has fallen during the cleaning process. Then, shake off the floor mats and vacuum thoroughly if you haven't already. Put the floor mat back into place.
