Keep your car as clean as a whistle

Lead in: If you get worked up after spotting a tiny blemish on your car, this article is for you. Listed here are a range of methods to help keep your car squeaky clean.

Keeping your car spic and span may be your top priority if you are obsessed with cleanliness. A spotless vehicle not only garners attention, but also improves performance and prolongs the life of the car.

Having said that, keeping a car clean is more than just driving it through an auto wash at a car service centre or garage. Cleaning your car is no longer a Hobson's choice as there is a plethora of car cleaning products available in the automotive market today. From a basic sponge to high-tech vacuum cleaners, car cleaning products have undergone a metamorphosis in terms of technology and functionality.

With such a variety of do-it-yourself tools available, you need not visit a car service centre or garage to keep your vehicle in a sparkling condition. You can start by washing your automobile with a micro-fibre sponge and hose pipe with a jet spray nozzle. The drying process follows next, for which a soft cloth, wash mitt or chamois can be used. To add that poster-perfect sheen to the car, buffing tools for waxing should be used.

Here are a few more specifics of car cleaning:

Spotless glass
The conventional squeegees and sprays bottles are by far the most effective tools for cleaning car windows and mirrors. These products are coupled with qualitative glass cleaning solutions, a variety of which are available in accessory stores. Use of such products ensures that you see through a sparkling windshield, mirrors and windows. Various car maintenance tips might also help you avoid scratches on your car's glass surfaces.

Polished exteriors
Your car's exterior must be waxed and polished regularly to reverse the effect of dirt, dust and pollution. You can use the array of car polishes and waxes available in the market for the same. In addition to the clear sheen, car wax is now also available in a range of colours to suit your requirement. Slay bars can also be used to remove paint contamination.

Shampooed covers
Due to regular wear and tear or spillage, carpets, seat covers and floor mats of the car accumulate dirt faster. Brushing off the dust regularly with detailed brushes or wool dusters helps you keep these car parts clean. Additionally, shampoos used should be fabric-specific, as maintenance of sheep skin seat covers differs from leather ones.

Jet sprayed wheels
Care for wheels starts with jet spraying, which removes dirt and grime. This is followed by drying. Many automotive stores also stock soft bristle brushes, which can be used between the spokes to get to the tough spots. If the wheels or rims are painted, they can be buffed up with a coat of qualitative wax or polish. You can choose between specific options for alloy wheels or chrome polish.

Degreased engines
The efficiency and performance of a car relies on the engine. The engine's surface should hence always be kept clean, for which degreasers should be used. The most effective degreasers are citrus-based, which remove grime while leaving a pleasant smell. Vinyl is also used for cleaning plastic parts near the engine. In addition to this, follow car maintenance tips by experts to keep your engine spic and span.

Vacuumed interiors
Handy car vacuum cleaners make for time-saving and effective cleaning products. These are not only compact and portable, but also affordable cleaning tools. Experienced mechanics in car service centres and garages use powerful vacuum cleaners to clean interiors. In addition to this, popular interior protectants can also be used to keep your car interiors free of grime.

The use of such cleaning accessories will not only help keep your prized possession spotless, but will also garner admiring glances from passersby.