Top 10 Car Cleaning Hacks To Transform Your Car
Between dropping the kids off to school and work, a family trip with the dogs, and your messy teenager, your car will get dirty inside and out. Luckily, there are some easy hacks you can do right at home to get your car looking like new again. Here are ten of our favorite car cleaning tips from the pros at Gerry Lane Cadillac.
1. Renew Your Headlights With Toothpaste
Whitening toothpaste can do much more than give you a bright smile- it can restore your grungy headlights. Over time, your headlights can oxidize when exposed to UV light, and they can get foggy. Not only does it look unappealing, but driving can become more dangerous at night with limited visibility. Grab a sponge and apply a thick layer of toothpaste to your headlights. Rub in a circular motion and wah-lah! Your new headlights await.
2. Coffee Filters Are An Amazing Duster
Nothing can be better than a cheap and eco-friendly way to keep the inside of your vehicle spic and span. Coffee filters cling to dust along the dashboard and the center console with ease. You can easily dispose of them afterward, and it's a convenient way to detail the inside of your car if you're strapped for cash.
3. One Affordable Product For Stains
One of the biggest challenges for any car owner is removing stains, but there is an easy solution. Hydrogen peroxide and water make for an ultra-effective cleaning mixture. Fill a bottle with one part hydrogen peroxide and two parts water then spray any stain. Let the solution sit for at least 15 minutes and then wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.
4. Make A Homemade Car Cleaner
Prevention is your best medicine when it comes to keeping your car seats clean. Vinegar, dish soap, lemon, and water is a mixture that you can have readily available in a spray bottle to use on your seats. If you wipe down seats once a week, you'll notice fewer (and annoying) stains will be kept at bay.
5. Use Socks To Clean Your Cup Holders
It can be incredibly frustrating trying to figure out how to clean the inside of your cup holders, but a clean pair of old socks will work just fine. Apply an all-purpose cleaner to the end of a sock and wrap it around a small cup. Then, push the end into the cup holder and use a twisting motion. It will remove debris and grime from even the hardest to reach places.
6. Condition Your Dashboard
The beating sun will eventually wreak havoc on your dashboard, causing it to crack and warp. Apply a conditioner with a cloth in all areas or use vaseline to wipe down all areas. Wipe it clean with a dry cloth. This process will keep your car looking new for the years to come.
7. Use Soda To Clean Battery Corrosion
Open the hood of your car and disconnect the battery cables with either a wrench or vice grips. Make sure you always remove the negative cable before the positive one. Grab a can of cola and slowly pour it over any corroded area. The acid in the cola will help remove corrosion, and then you can use a wire brush to help take away any leftover around the bolts.
8. Remove Bird Droppings With WD-40 Or Baking Soda
Nothing can be more frustrating than bird poop on a new car, but there are a few easy hacks to take care of it. If you have a can of WD-40, spray the affected area and let it sit for a few minutes, and wipe clean. Another option is to mix some baking soda, dish soap, and warm water to make your own solution. Apply it and let it sit for roughly ten to fifteen minutes before removing it.
9. How To Clean Small Areas On The Interior
Q-tips can work wonders to get those areas that seem impossible to reach, like in between vents or the corners of the dashboard. Alternatively, compressed air can also keep your air vents free from dust or germs that make you sick. Both are affordable options.
10. Clean Tires The Right Way
Tires are notorious for picking up lots of dirt, but you can get them looking great again in just a few simple steps. Begin by removing as much grime as you can with a hose, but don't dry the tire off completely before you start to clean it. Use a mild detergent and scrub the outer surface with a soft brush. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and repeat this step if necessary for dirtier rims. Apply a coat of wheel shiner for a nice finish.
While you can do your part to keep your car cleaned, Gerry Lane Cadillac.invites you to make an appointment for regular maintenance like oil changes, brakes, batteries, and more. With these car cleaning tips and our certified mechanics, you'll enjoy your car much longer.