What Do You Need for a DIY Car Wash Keeping your car clean not only keeps it looking nice, it also can help maintenance of the vehicle and overall safety. Knowing that the parts of your car are in good working order and free of dirt, dust and even rust can make a difference. The windows, for example, are especially important to keep clean and in good condition – no smears, streaks or even cracked windshield glass – as they help with visibility and being able to see the road properly. When driving a car not only could you compromise your own safety but that of others on the road.
Going to a car wash regularly, however, could prove to be expensive. Or you may be someone who takes pride in buffing your car to a gleaming shine at the weekends. Either way, here are some tips on how to do a do-it-yourself car wash that can save money and perhaps even the environment. -
Hand wash your car. This may seem like a big job before you start, but by hand washing you take more time over it and gets you closer to the car’s surface. In this way you are more likely to stop blemishes and stubborn dirt spots that need seeing to.
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Washing the cleaner off with water afterwards helps remove the soapy suds, but then it is advises that you also clean as much of the water off as possible, too. Water can leave behind minerals – and even the dirt you’ve been so diligently removing – when it evaporates. Running a rubber blade squeegee over your car will remove a fair amount of the water.
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Windows can be difficult to clean as while trying to clean dirt and grime off them you may end up just leaving annoying streaks and marks behind. You can make your own glass cleaner that is eco-friendly by mixing some rubbing alcohol with a little bit of soap and diluting it with water. Alternatively you could also try using distilled white vinegar, as vinegar is a well-known natural cleaner.
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Be aware of the sponge you use for washing your car. It may not seem like an especially rough one, but if you clean your car regularly even this can have an effect on your car’s paintwork. Investing in sponges that are made especially for car cleaning can save your paintwork and, in the long run, maybe a fair amount of money.
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If you want to be especially green about your carwash, you can even clean your car without using water at all. There are wipe-and-go products such as No Wet that can lift the dirt and grime straight off your car without the need of any water.
Some other quick tips to remember while doing your own car wash: -
Cleaning in a shady spot means that the water won’t evaporate too quickly. Use a plastic bucket. This may sound odd, but think of the dent a kicked over metal bucket could cause… Using too much soap can leave heard to shift suds and even damage your paintwork.
Hopefully these are a few things that can help you along in your own DIY carwash.