It’s that time of year again—the birds are chirping, daylight extends past dinner time, and your ride is looking awfully grimy. Don’t fret, good car owner. With these vehicle cleaning tips, and you can turn your car’s frown upside down, just in time for spring.
Out with the Old
1. Start by clearing out the cabin.
Grab a trash bag and go to town on those crinkled straw wrappers and old receipts. Don’t forget about the unspoken carnage under the seats and in cup holders.2. Take out the floormats.
Remove car mats and take your aggression out on them. Kick, punch, smack, or throw them until they’re free of excess dirt, or you’ve calmed down, whichever comes first. (We’ve got big plans for them later.)3. Clean the trunk.
Do the same in the trunk, removing garbage and unnecessary accessories as you go.4. Get your roadside kit in order.
Grab your first-aid kit, sand or kitty litter, and other essentials, and store them in your trunk. If you’re about to buy a smaller car, like a MINI Cooper, and are worried about having enough space – don’t be. With the Cooper 4-door, you get a surprisingly large 13.1-cubic-foot trunk, which is more than enough room for all your on-the-go necessities.5. Vacuum the interior.
With a Shop-Vac or your basic vacuum, start sucking up the dirt from the carpets, crevices, and seat creases. Do a quick run-through on the disobedient car mats and inside the trunk, too.
6. Use canned air
A can of air can be used to dislodge any nasties from hard-to-reach spaces, then fed to Mr. Hoover.Scrub-a-Dub-Car
7. Wash the upholstery.
Use a specialized solution to clean carpets, seats and upholstery, focusing on heavily soiled areas. (If you have access to a steam cleaner, this is infinitely easier.)8. Scrub the floormats.
Remember those car mats you left for dead? Grab a scrub brush because you’re going in for round two.
Using a homemade mix of H20 and vinegar, or an automotive cleaning solution, then scour those mats until they look defeated.
Leave them out to dry and think about what they’re done.
9. Clean the windows.
Spray glass cleaner on the inside of your windows and mirrors. With a lint-free cloth—we prefer microfiber—wipe them down for a perfect streak-free appearance.10. Wipe down the dashboard.
To clean your dashboard, use a dry cloth. Avoid cleaning products not approved for car dashes, as they can cause the plastic to crack or dry out. And no one wants a MINI Countryman with a peeling dashboard.11. Time for the car wash.
We prefer a hand-washed car, as the automated carwashes aren’t as thorough and can even damage paint. However, you do you. Here are some step-by-step directions to wash your vehicle by hand like a pro:
- First, move the car into the shade; direct sunlight is a no-no when it comes to car washing by hand.
- With a high-pressure hose or power washer, spray under the chassis and in the wheel wells. (Throw a little extra love their way if you’ve given them an eventful winter outside and north of Florida.)
- Use a cleaner that’s designed for vehicles.
- Suds up half the car at a time, rinsing as you go.
- Be sure your sponge or mitt isn’t collecting grit, which can scratch the paint.
- Clean the doorjambs, tires, and wheels last.
- Dry the car with a clean microfiber towel for the best results.
12. Wax on.
If you’re new to waxing cars, the three main types of car wax are generally liquid, paste, and spray-on. For the best and longest-lasting shine, liquid waxes are ideal. However, paste and spray-on waxes are easier to apply. Choose wisely and always follow product directions.
Want our recommendation? We suggest buying an auto wax that has a high melting point (350 degrees or more) if you live and drive in South Florida. Products like hybrid vehicle waxes will have a lower melting point (180-200 degrees), and beeswax will be even lower (130 degrees). With Sunshine State’s sun doing its thing, your car’s surface can easily exceed those temperatures by early-April, which means those waxes will lose their effectiveness or even get washed away entirely in the rain. Ask our MINI dealership for more details if you need advice.
13. Get under the hood.
Don’t forget to wash the engine area – it gets dirty, too, just like the area behind your ears. Here are some tips:
- Use a commercial degreaser or regular soap & h20 to clean engine parts.
- Take care not to scrub electrical components like cables, fuses, or sparks.
- Corroded battery terminals? Water and baking soda, when paired with an old toothbrush, can work wonders on gunk and corrosion.
14. Add windshield washing fluid.
While you’re under the hood, you might as well change your washer fluid. You can buy a jug of windshield washing liquid for a few bucks.15. Change your windshield wiper blades.
What use is new washer fluid without new wipers? Place an order windshield wiper blades at an auto parts store near you, or speak with your dealership’s service center to have them ordered and installed.
16. Inspect your work.
How’d you do? Is it sparkly and shiny? Does it smell like new? Good job.
Once you’re happy with your artistry, start adding the essentials back into the cabin, along with a spare plastic bag for future garbage. But let the car mats suffer overnight (to dry).
Don’t Forget Your Spring Auto Maintenance & Service!
A great car wash is one thing, but to truly prepare for spring you need to ensure your car is mechanically sound. Stop into Braman MINI of Miami at 2060 Biscayne Blvd and let our auto service technicians give your car new life. We offer a wide variety of services, including oil changes, tire rotations, wheel alignments, windshield wiper replacements, brake inspections, MINI Cooper maintenance and more.
Schedule your service appointment this spring by using our online scheduler or by contacting our Miami car dealership at (786) 374-2201 for assistance.
