10 easy tips to keep your car clean and fresh as possible! - Coastal Motor Advisory

Tips to keep your car clean – It’s not just about what looks good, though — keeping your car clean can also enhance your driving experience and help help maintain its value over time. When you’re a daily commuter, or when your car only rarely gets used, a clean and fresh interior and exterior makes all the difference. In this blog post, we’re going to share 10 very practical tips to keep your car sparkling and looking as good as new.

1. Regularly Wash Your Car
   Regular washing is among the most glaring, but yet crucial steps to keeping your car clean. Over time dust, dirt and grime settle on the exterior of the car, If left unnoticed, they can damage the paint. However, you should try to wash your car at least once every two weeks to be able to prevent such buildup. Washing your car by hand (or via an automatic car wash) is a simple way to keep your car looking sharp and protect its paint from wear and tear.
2. Keep Trash Bags in the Car
   Keeping small trash bags on hand in your car will help you prevent your car from being cluttered with trash. Even if it’s empty drink bottles, receipts, or food wrappers, having a waste place (such as the bag under the hook, or a bin in a cavity) makes it then a lot easier to keep clean inside. You avoid junk piling up in your car by simply throwing the bag away when it’s full.
3. Vacuum the Interior Regularly
   It’s simple for dirt and dust to make its way into the carpets, seats and floor mats of your car. If you keep the seats, floor and mats vacuumed at least once a month, you will keep the interior looking fresh. You may want to vacuum more often if you’re transporting passengers or pets often, as they kick the carpeted foot pad surfaces free of their hair or debris.
4. Clean all surface of glass in windows both inside and out.
   Having clear windows both brightens up the appearance of your car, but also makes it easier for you to see while you’re driving. Dust, smudges and streaks are best removed with clean interior and exterior of your windows regularly. A good quality glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth will take to produce a streak free finish.
5. Clean On the dashboard and surfaces.
   There’s no doubt that the dashboard, steering wheel, and console some of the most touched surfaces in your car and attract dirt, grime, and fingerprints. Treat these surfaces by wiping them down often with both damp microfiber cloth or interior cleaning wipes. They will remain clean, and will not build up dirt and bacteria.
6. Use Car Floor Mats
   The best way of protecting your car’s carpeting from dirt, mud, and spills are floor mats. They’re easy to clean, and can be removed for a quick shake‐out or rinse. If you drive a lot in the rain or snow, then think of sacrificing a few bucks on rubber or all-weather mats. Carpeted ones are sure to be wiped out with these mats fast like that.
7. Apply a Protective Wax Coat
   Washing you car and adding a layer of wax to it not only gives the paint a beautiful shine but it also seals it from harmful UV rays, dirt and water. If you wax your car every three months, the paint won’t fade and you’ll be able to go more time between washes. And it makes future washes easier by letting dirt slide off the surface more easily.
8. Clean Up Spills Immediately
   Accidents do occur and it can be quick to stain and smell if not immediately cleaned up. Always have some type of cleaning wipes or microfiber cloth in your car so if you have any spills on the seats or floors you don’t wait too long to clean it up. For food and drink spills, especially, timely cleaning is crucial to prevent the staining and undesirable odours that follow.
9. Leather Seats Require Conditioning
   Leather seats in your car need to be conditioned regularly to help keep them soft and free from cracks. Sun and heat can dry out leather and over time. In order to keep the seats moisturized and new looking use a leather conditioner every few months. This will also help in the leather not fading or forming unsightly crack.
10. You Don’t Forget the Tires and Wheels
    The wheels and tyres are almost always the dirtiest part of a car, since they rub shoulders with mud, grime, and other road detritus (Sometimes gutters!). Not only does cleaning the tires and wheels keep your car looking sharp, it also prevents long term damage due to dirt buildup. A dedicated wheel cleaner and a brush will get to the brake dust and dirt, and leave your wheels looking like new.

With these simple tips, however, can you maintain your car interior smelling and looking fresh along with the exterior! A big reason is regular care — which not only makes for a pleasanter driving experience, but also helps maintain the value of your vehicle over time. Next time you’re giving your car some TLC, here’s some tips to keep it in tip top condition!

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