Keeping your car clean can be costly, but there are ways to save money while still maintaining a clean and presentable car. With motorists facing ever-increasing living costs, taking your car to the car wash may feel like a luxury. To save money, why not wash the car yourself instead of paying for professional car washes, but remember to do so regularly to avoid rust, dirt, and bird stains from becoming ingrained into the paintwork. Follow the below tips on how to keep your car shiny and beautiful.1
What do I need to start cleaning?
You only need a hose pipe, two sponges, two buckets, two microfibre towels, and car shampoo. If you look after the other items, the shampoo is the only item you will need to replace. This inventory’s cost doesn’t compare to the much more significant annual expense of going to the car wash. 1
Below is a short description of the cleaning process of your car. 1
Use two buckets
Keep one bucket for cleaning your dirty sponge and the other for clean water and shampoo. Otherwise, you’ll contaminate the clean water with the sponge’s dirty water. Also, washing the car with dirty water can scratch the car’s paintwork due to the dirt’s sandpaper like action. 1
A wax coat could last for the whole year
You should apply wax twice a year – at the start of winter and summer – to achieve such durable protection. Familiarise yourself with the waxing procedure by accessing relevant information. 1
Use the proper products
Avoid using dishwashing liquid to clean your car, as it could harm the paintwork. Don’t go the ‘cheap route’ but buy professional products instead. Use the right product for the appropriate material. For example, don’t apply to alloy wheels what you would use to clean plastic bumpers. 1
Remember to look after the car’s interior
The interior needs the same cleaning service as the exterior. Cleaning the interior of your car regularly can help prevent the build-up of dirt and grime, which can be harder to remove over time. Do some research on how to clean upholstery, such as removing stains.
Why should I clean the car and not use a car wash garage?
Greater attention
Even though the car wash garage has professional cleaners, it doesn’t compare to your efforts, preferably every two weeks. This is because car wash staff can’t pay attention to such detail. You would know how to achieve excellent results in cleaning your car, and which areas need special attention. 1
Cleaning your car can be a pleasure
Seeing your car sparkle and shine through your efforts can be most rewarding. It also reminds you how fortunate you are to have such a great car and how important it is to keep it looking great. 1
It’s a new adventure
Cleaning your car regularly teaches you all the aspects of the cleaning process. This could range from spraying your car with the hose pipe to applying some car wax to the paintwork. As your experience improves, you’ll achieve more excellent results. 1
Regular examination of your car is preventative
Carefully cleaning your car can show you what needs immediate attention. For example, you may find rust underneath the car, or the exhaust pipe is about to crash to the ground because of a broken bracket. Discovering what’s wrong in time could save you more costs later. Your cleaning could also lead to you checking the oil and coolant levels and tyre pressures. 1
Disclaimer
This article’s purpose is to show how to save money when you clean your car. 1
Looking after your car’s exterior and interior helps to protect their condition. Similarly, purchasing quality car cover will protect you financially. At PMD, our affordable car insurance products, coupled with our world-class client service, have excellent benefits such as fixed premiums* and a reduce-to-zero excess*. T’s and C’s apply.
Source:
1https://www.holtsauto.com/simoniz/news/can-i-save-money-cleaning-my-own-car/
This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own. The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.