How to Spring Clean Your Car From Top to Bottom

Apr 13, 2017

How to Spring Clean Your Car in Matthews, NC Spring is a great time to give your car a good once-over and get it ready for the summer months. Those who live in colder areas know that winter is extremely hard on a vehicle. Whether it is the ice and snow, salt from the roads, or the big changes in temperature, cars takes a beating during the winter. Once the snow melts and the temperature start to rise, you should give your car a thorough cleaning from top to bottom. Here are some tips for how to spring clean your car.

Clear It Out

Start your spring cleaning by getting rid of all the trash that has built up over the winter and cleaning out all the cold-weather items you don’t need anymore. Make sure to empty out the trunk and check under the seats for any forgotten gloves or mittens, or any trash that may have made its way under there.

Vacuum the Inside

The next step is to vacuum. Start at the top and work your way down, so you get all the dust and debris. Make sure to take out the floor mats so you can get to the carpet underneath, and take your time. If you have a shop vac, use one of the rigid tools to get in the creases and work the ground-in dirt out before vacuuming it up. You’ll also want to get the vacuum under the seats. Forgotten french fries or crumbs from snacks can work their way under there and make the car smell if you don’t get rid of them.

Wash the Outside

After you’ve done a thorough cleaning of the inside, you’ll also want to turn you attention to the outside of the car. If the weather is warm enough, grab two buckets so you can keep one filled with clean water and use the other one to rinse the dirty sponge while you wash the exterior. Use a mild soap and a soft microfiber cloth, and carefully make your way around the outside of the car. Be sure to get into all the cracks and under all the edges to give it a thorough cleaning. Once you have thoroughly cleaned the outside of the car, you can also apply a coat of wax to keep the paint in good condition.

Check the Tires

This is also a good time to check the tires or change out your winter tires for all-season or summer tires. Give the tires a thorough cleaning while you’re at it, making sure to remove the hubcaps and wash them down and scrub the tires in the wheels. While you’re changing the tires, it is also a good time to have the tire pressure checked. You should also check the treads to make sure they are still safe to drive on.

Giving your car a thorough spring cleaning is not only important for the health of the car, but it also makes for a much more enjoyable ride.

Image by Tom Blackman, Licensed via CC BY 2.0