Five budget-friendly ways to clean up your motor to make it look brand new
STEER into the week with a car that looks and feels like new.
You can skip the expensive valet service and instead follow these cleaning tips from John Charnock, CEO of StressFreeCarRental.com.
CLEAN UP: Start the cleaning process with a blank canvas by emptying the car, including removing rubbish and all the mats.
Those who own a leaf blower should use it to force off loose dirt.
Then vacuum the entire interior including compartments, boot and seats.
Pay particular attention to areas such as the footwells, getting into the crevices, as they collect more dirt.
SIT PRETTY: For fabric seats, spray on a carpet or upholstery cleaner to tackle stains. Let it sit, depending on instructions, then rinse with a cloth and blot dry.
Leather seats can be cleaned with a mild soap or leather cleaner, which should be worked in using a microfibre cloth. Rinse until the cleaner is removed, then buff with another microfibre cloth.
SHINE ON: Use a budget glass cleaner to prevent streaks and a microfibre cloth to clean the inside and outside of the windows and windscreen.
Follow by buffing with another microfibre cloth soaked in water.
Use a microfibre cloth on surfaces such as the dashboard and centre console for a shinier finish.
WASH ’N’ GO: Mix warm water with car shampoo and work from top to bottom using a sponge. Pay attention to areas such as the hinges and number plates, rubbing shampoo foam with a soft brush before rinsing off.
For wheels, use washing-up liquid and hot water and a soft sponge, then go in, using circular motions, with a wheel brush to tackle stubborn dirt and hard-to-reach areas in the alloys.
BUFF IT IN: Once the car has completely dried, apply wax in small sections and thin layers on to the paintwork of the car, working in circular motions.
Wait 20 minutes before buffing it dry with a microfibre cloth. The wax polish should have cleared the coat and illuminated the colour and shine of the car.
- All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.
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