Helpful Tips for Washing Your Car At Home

It’s no secret that the cost of almost everything has increased since the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020. Here we are in 2022, and the CPI (consumer price index), which measures changes in everyday expenses like food, housing, gasoline, utilities, and other goods, rose by 8.3% over the past 12 months.

Most, if not all of us, are looking for any creative way we can come up with to save money without altogether abandoning the activities and finer things that bring us joy in a chaotic world. One small luxury that so many of us enjoy is a clean car to take us to and from work or leisurely activities. But this doesn’t have to be a treat that you nix to cut costs.

We’ve put together helpful tips for washing your car at home instead of paying to get it professionally cleaned. And if you have little kids, you’d be surprised how much fun they can have while helping you wash your car.

1. Preparation is key. Make sure you have the right tools and products ahead of time. You’ll need:

• A water hose and spray nozzle
• Two buckets (one with clean water and one with car wash soap)
• Two dirt traps for buckets (optional)
• Microfiber car wash mitt (the best car washing material to prevent marks and scratches)
• Microfiber towels
• Car wheel brush
• Car wash soap
• Wax or coating recommended by your dealership
• Wheel cleaner

2. Park in a shaded area, outside of direct sun, if possible.
3. Spray the car down using the water hose and spray nozzle. Make sure to get every inch of the car, including the underside and the wheels. Rinse off as much dirt and residue as you can. (This can be an excellent part for the kids as they often find it fun to spray the car with a hose!)
4. Wash the wheels and tires first. Using the microfiber car wash mitt or wheel brush and cleaner, thoroughly clean the wheels and tires of the car. Rinse off with water once cleaning is finished.
5. Once the wheels are clean, begin washing the car down from top to bottom. Fill one bucket with car wash soap and fill the other bucket with clean water. Dip your wash mitt into the bucket with soap and begin cleaning the roof of your car. Rinse as you go.
6. Then continue cleaning the rest of the car in sections, rinsing as you go. Rinse your car wash mitt into the clean water bucket as needed, and then back into the bucket with soap as you move from section to section. Quite literally, rinse and repeat until the entire car is clean.
7. Rinse with water one final time to ensure all soap is washed off.
8. Grab the microfiber towel and dry the entire car (this should leave your towel pretty damp). Then grab the second towel and dry again.
9. Once your car is fully dry, it’s time to protect the cleaning you’ve done. Use a wax or coating that your dealership recommends for your car model. This will help your clean last even longer and give it that shiny new look.
10. Now move to the inside of the car. A dust-buster or portable vacuum works great to clean up any dirt or mess collected in your car since your last clean.
11. Collecting dust on the dashboard, steering wheel, and hand brake is common, so take time to remove any dust with a wet microfiber cloth and mild soap.
12. Remove any junk or clutter from the rest of the car, including your trunk.
13. Now take your car for a cruise and enjoy your hard work!

The good news is that once you invest in many tools like the wash mitt, towels, and buckets, you don’t have to continue buying them every time you want to wash your car, and you’ll only need to replace the cleaning solutions as they run out.

We know times are tough for many of us as we all navigate a changing world but being creative with saving money can go a long way. What other activities could you start doing yourself to help stick to your budget? Try and have fun with it!

And if you or anyone you know is interested in donating their car to a family in need during these challenging financial times, check out these three easy steps on our website to learn more here.