How to spring clean your vehicle

With the days getting longer and brighter, it’s a good time to start thinking about a spring clean for your vehicle. It’ll help you prepare for trips you might take in the warmer months. 

During winter, the outside of your car can lose its shine from salt and dirt from the road. The inside can also get a little messy, as you’re more likely to carry mud and dirt in. 

Here are our 11 tips on how to clean the inside and outside of your car. Just doing a few of these regularly can help your vehicle look great throughout the year and keep it off the road for less time, if you need repairs. If you’re not able to do these yourself, try to find a family member or friend to help you. 

Grit, salt, and dirt from the road can take the shine off your car’s bodywork. Cleaning them off is easy. 

First, pre-wash your car with a pressure washer or hose to get rid of as much grit and grime as possible. Then use a soft microfibre cloth to tackle more stubborn stains. 

Use a car shampoo instead of washing up liquid, as this can degrade your car’s protective wax.  

Try not to use a sponge, as it can push grit across the bodywork and cause damage. Always start at the top and finish at the bottom. 

If your car needs a polish, find a product with carnauba wax, micro-abrasives, and silicones. Be careful not to use too much. You should only need to polish your car a couple of times a year. 

A clear, smear-free windscreen is essential for good visibility. Carefully lift the windscreen wipers up and away from the screen. If it’s extra dirty, use water and a soft brush to remove the bulk of the grime. 

When the screen is dry, spray an alcohol-based glass cleaner onto a microfibre cloth (never use an ammonia-based cleaner). Make long, smooth strokes until you’ve cleaned the whole screen. 

Then use a dry microfibre cloth to buff it. Repeat this on the inside of the screen. Clean all the windows the same way. 

Did you know we cover your windscreen repairs? 

First, pull them back and lock them into position. They should stay up. If not, you’ll need to hold them up. 

Get a sponge with hot, soapy water and gently glide it up and down the wiper blade. The rubber can be delicate, so be careful not to damage or pull it off. Keep wiping until there’s no dirt left. 

Next, clean the wiper arms and mechanism in the same way. You’ll need to get rid of any soapy residue before you finish, so give them a final wipe with surgical spirit. Never use white spirit. 

These do not need too much work. All you need is a soft sponge, soapy water, and some elbow grease. Before you get started, turn the engine off and make sure the wheels are cool. 

You can use a wheel brush or an old toothbrush to get into narrower areas. Then rinse them with clean water and dry them with a soft cloth. 

Did you know we cover your tyres too? 

If you forget to clean your car’s air vents, you might find dirt and dust blows into your vehicle when the air conditioning is on. Just dip a soft paintbrush into a mixture of water and white vinegar (50% of each), then use it to gently clean the inside of the vents. 

Take care not to use too much liquid. Remember to check and rinse the brush often, then use a microfibre cloth to dry the vents. 

The mats under your feet and the footwells below the mats collect dirt over time. You’ll need to remove the mats from the car and use a high suction hoover to clean the footwell. 

Hot, soapy water and a stiff brush can work away any stubborn marks. Shake the mats outside the car to remove loose bits of dirt and then use the brush and hoover. 

Use a carpet shampoo or soapy water on the whole mat, with a stiff-bristled brush. Rub them with a microfibre cloth and hang them to dry before you put them in the footwell. 

Use a hand hoover with a soft head or a soft-bristled brush. For fabric seats, a specific fabric cleaner like a spray or foam could help lift some of the stubborn stains that cannot be easily wiped away. 

With leather seats, it’s best to use a leather cleaning solution. You can use a soft-bristled brush when you apply the cleaning product and then wipe it away with a microfibre cloth. Be careful not to brush too hard as leather seats can mark more easily than fabric.  

Always read the instructions of products first. When you’ve finished cleaning the seats, leave them to dry naturally.

This can get cluttered with unnecessary items over time, leaving less space for your important equipment. Get everything out, including the spare wheel, jack, and other tools. Then give it a hoover, to remove any obvious dirt. 

If you spot any stains, sprinkle baking soda on the carpeting, leave it for a few minutes, then hoover it off. You’ll find the seals around the boot lid build up grease. Wrap a soft fibre cloth around the bristles of a narrow brush, add some cleaning solution, then run it through these. 

Keeping your boot clear will help your car feel lighter, lower how much battery or fuel you use, and leave you more room for mobility equipment. Think about buying a boot organiser too. 

While furry friends can be great company in the car, they can also create some mess. First, use a hoover or lint roller to clean the surfaces. If there’s mud on the seats, make sure you use the correct solution, based on the fabric-type. 

To protect your vehicle for the future, you could use rubberised mats. They’re weather-proof and could help if you like to explore the countryside. You can also cover your seats with some old towels or sheets. 

Travel with your dog in the car often? Read our tips and tricks to keeping your dog happy. 

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