Camille Moore
Are you tired of car dealership prices? Do you want to learn some tips to clean your car and save some money? Then you should check out this article that covers over 50 car cleaning tips that dealers don’t want you to know. This article will dive deeply into car cleaning hacks you would have never considered. Everything from homemade cleaning solutions to ways to keep your car from getting dirty over time. It is always best to do things yourself as it saves money and teaches you how to clean your vehicle correctly. When aiming for more options in cars and seeking a loan, title loan places near me proves to be a reliable choice worth considering.
Dealerships always charge an arm and a leg for just a simple detailing service, and you don’t always get your money’s worth when it comes to cleaning services. So, if you want to learn more about these car cleaning tips, check out this article and start saving money!
Use Toothpaste To Clean Headlights
Car headlights can become dirty over time, especially if not cleaned regularly. Car headlight cleaning solutions can be expensive, and a great alternative that works great is toothpaste. That is right; toothpaste is a great way to save money and keep your headlights clean. All you have to do is apply some toothpaste to a toothbrush and scrub your headlights until they are completely covered.
Wait a couple of minutes, then wash it off with water and a microfiber cloth. This will leave your headlights looking brand new and will prevent them from fogging up in the future. Be sure to keep up with this, as headlights get dirty quickly.
Clean Dashboard With Toothbrush
It can be pretty frustrating when it comes to cleaning your car dashboard, as it is full of small nooks and cracks that are hard to clean. The perfect tool to use that you will most likely have at home is a toothbrush. Using a toothbrush to clean your dashboard is the best way to get into all the tiny crevices as the bristles find their way into everything.
Be sure to use the toothbrush on your center console, especially if you have a lot of knobs and buttons. This is the perfect solution for cleaning your dashboard and can be used to clean other places that are hard to get to.
Remove Crumbs From Seats With A Small Paintbrush
If you are looking for a better way to get all the crumbs out of your seats, you should consider using a small paintbrush to gather them before you vacuum. Car seats are usually one of the dirtiest places in the car as it is one of the first places where everything falls.
If you want to keep your car clean and don’t want to clean it all the time, then keep a paintbrush handy, as cleaning it from time to time will save you time in the long run. Buy a couple of cheap paintbrushes as they will get dirty over time.
Keep Up With Dusting And Vacuuming
If you are annoyed with constantly cleaning your car thoroughly, you should consider vacuuming and dusting at least once every two weeks. You don’t have to do a deep clean, but vacuum and dust the parts of your car that get the dirtiest, and this will save you time when doing a full clean of your vehicle.
A portable handheld vacuum can be a lifesaver and are not that expensive, so investing in one is key to keeping your car clean. Having some extra microfiber cloths on hand will also help you with the dust that builds up.
Use A Flathead To Clean Small Cracks
Another great way to clean small crevices is to use a flathead screwdriver and a thin piece of cloth. The flathead screwdriver will allow you to get into all the small cracks that you just can’t reach, and the fabric is used to cover the screwdriver head so that you won’t damage your interior.
Having a flathead screwdriver isn’t just handy for cleaning, but is also very useful for fixing certain parts of your car, so it is recommended that you have one of these on hand. Be sure to use a flathead as any other screwdriver will not be able to get into all the tiny cracks.
Keep A Trash Can In Your Car
It can be pretty tricky when it comes to keeping your car clean, especially if you are constantly driving, but a great solution is to keep a trash can handy. By buying a portable trash can, you can save your car from looking like a pig pin and it can save time cleaning your car.
This might be a bit obvious, but once you get a trash can, you will realize how clean your car will be. You can use a plastic trash bag if you don’t want to buy a trash can as it will work just the same.
Use Rubbing Alcohol To Clean Windshield Wipers
Windshield wipers can get quite dirty over time, especially if you don’t keep up with cleaning them. People often think that when you wash your car the soap cleans your windshield wipers but this isn’t the case. You can buy windshield wiper cleaning solutions at any automotive store but a great alternative is to use rubbing alcohol.
Rubbing alcohol not only makes your windshield wipers look brand new but it also helps to prevent streaks while you are using them. Rubbing alcohol only costs a fraction of what the dealership would be charging you and often cleans it just as good as any solution.
Have Wet Wipes On Hand
Another handy thing to have in the car is wet wipes. Wet wipes will save you in multiple situations as they are a great way to clean up spills and other messes. Having some of these in your glove compartment can be a game changer and they don’t cost that much.
You never know when you will spill coffee on yourself and having some wet wipes handy will make a difference. Wet wipes will prevent you from having to clean your car frequently as they will help you avoid sticky situations later on. Drop by the Dollar Store and pick up a couple of packs.
Use Laundry Stain Remover To Clean Floor Mats
Cleaning your floor mats can be a pain in the butt if you have fabric floor mats, as it can be pretty hard to get stains and dirt out. The floor mats are another part of your car that always gets dirty. A great way to clean your floor mats is to spray laundry stain remover on them and throw them in the wash.
Once they are done washing, hang them out to dry, and they will be as good as new. Throwing them in the wash is more straightforward than scrubbing your floor mats, and the results will amaze you.
Dryer Sheets Are Great At Removing Bugs
Are you tired of seeing bugs all over the front of your car? Then it would be best if you considered using dryer sheets to remove the dead bugs. Washing your car with a sponge and soap doesn’t always get the bugs out of your car. The best way to do it is to rinse your car with water and have a bucket with warm water on the ready, then dip your dryer sheets in the water and scrub away all the dead bugs.
The dryer sheet loosens all the dead bugs and makes it easy to wash them off with water. This may seem quite strange, but trust me, it works.
Use Clay To Clean Your Car
Do you want your car to look like it was just waxed without using any wax? Then it would help if you considered using clay to scrub your car clean as it is a great alternative and only costs a fraction of the price. You can buy a block of clay from any children’s store and use it to make your car look like a showpiece.
All you have to do is wash your car like you normally would and then use the clay at the end to shine up your vehicle. There are also specific clays that are designed for such a thing, so you won’t have to ask for clay at a toy store.
A Squeegee And Water To Rid Of Pet Hair
Having a pet in the car can make it a magnet for hair, and an excellent solution for getting pet hair out is to use a squeegee, bottle of water, and vacuum. You may find that pet hair is hard to get out of your seats, especially if they are fabric, and no matter how much you vacuum, the hair doesn’t seem to move.
If you want to get all the pet hair out of your car, you must use the spray bottle to wet your seats and then use the squeegee to collect it all. The last step is to vacuum up all the unwanted pet hair, which will then leave your car squeaky clean.
Magic Erasers Are Perfect For Cleaning Your Car
Magic Erasers are helpful in almost every cleaning situation, and it is no different when cleaning certain parts of your car. Magic Erasers are perfect for cleaning the dashboard, carpets, seats, and steering wheel. But it must be used carefully as you will damage your vehicle if you scrub too hard.
Cleaning your rims with a Magic Eraser is a great way to clean them, and there are more durable Magic Erasers to help with the grime. Magic Erasers are cheap and can be found at any local goods store, so having one of these next time you clean will help a lot.
Club Soda Will Remove All Your Stains
Club soda is one of the best ways to get red wine out of fabric, and when it comes to cleaning your car, club soda should be one of your top stain removers. If you have stubborn stains to get out, then all you have to do is make sure the stain is dry, apply club soda on it with a cloth, and pat down.
Just keep repeating the process, and the stain should eventually come out. Dealerships will charge you an extreme amount to remove a stain, but using club soda will save you hundreds of dollars.
Vinegar Is A Great Alternative To Clean Your Windows
Have you noticed that when you use window cleaner that streaks are still present after you clean your windows? Do you want to know a great tip to make your car windows look perfectly clean? Then you should consider using vinegar as your cleaning solution. All you have to do is mix some vinegar with dish soap and it will make your windows look clean and streak free.
Vinegar is also excellent at cleaning your car’s interior, especially if you have a stain. Just mix some vinegar with some laundry detergent, and you can remove any stain.
Coca-Cola Can Remove Any Rust
It has been known for quite some time that Coca-Cola is able to remove rust from almost anything, making it a perfect rust remover for your car. It is kind of crazy that something that humans ingest is able to remove rust from metal, but it is true. Coca-Cola is made out of several chemicals that have the ability to remove rust.
If you spot any rust spots on your car, be sure to rub Coca-Cola on it with a rag a couple of times, and you will see the famous beverage work its wonders. Not only is it great at removing rust, but it will also save you money.
Clean Your Car at Least Once A Week
If you clean your car at least once a week, it will save you time and money in the long run as you won’t have as much to clean, and the value of your car will not diminish. It can be hard to clean your car every day as work and life get in the way, but it is best to clean your car regularly as it eliminates having to pay to get your car detailed.
The best way to make it quick and easy is to visit one of your local car wash stations that offer everything you need to clean up your car quickly.
Slime Gets All The Crumbs Out Of Your Car
Do you remember playing with slime when you were younger? Slime is actually helpful for cleaning your car when it comes to getting all the small crumbs out of the cracks and cupholders. Slime would often get dirty pretty easy when you were a kid, and it would stick to anything small. This is the reason why slime is perfect to use for cleaning up small pieces in your car.
Slime is relatively cheap and can be bought anywhere that sells children’s toys. This is an excellent alternative to using a brush or microfiber, as the slime will pick up everything it comes in contact with.
Castile Soap Is Great For Washing Your Car
Soap that is made for washing your car can sometimes damage your paint in the long run as there are many chemicals that end up breaking down your paint. Many people have resorted to making their own car washing soap out of castile soap, which is completely organic and mixed with water.
The combination of these two is an excellent alternative to regular car soap and will keep your paint from being eaten away by unwanted chemicals. Another excellent recommendation is to use a soft brush to remove any grime that builds up, as this will also prevent your paint from chipping.
Baking Soda And Vinegar Will Clean Your Upholstery
Have you been noticing that your upholstery is starting to look a little faded and not as it did when you first bought your car? Then it would help if you considered using this homemade solution that costs a fraction of a name-brand cleaning solution. The ingredients are simple; all you need to do is mix baking soda with white vinegar to create a paste that is used to remove stains and clean up your upholstery.
Use a toothbrush to apply the paste to the dirty spot and scrub the paste in. Let the paste dry and vacuum up all the remaining powder; what you are left with is clean upholstery.
Baking Soda And Water Is The Best Way To Clean Your Wheels
Baking soda has many uses when it comes to cleaning your car. A mixture of baking soda and water is the perfect combination to clean your wheels as grime and brake fluid often cake them up with filth. Apply the paste that you create from the mixture of baking soda and water to your wheels.
Let the paste sit for about 20 to 30 minutes before you rinse it off with some water. The result will leave your wheels looking like they did the day you first got them and really makes your car look new again.
Use A Foam Paint Brush To Clean Air Vents
Cleaning your air vents can be very frustrating as getting all the dust out of those small spaces is challenging. A great way to make the cleaning job simple is to use a cheap foam paintbrush that you can find at any arts and crafts store. Like a toothbrush, foam paintbrushes are great at reaching those hard-to-get spots; both are pretty handy to use when cleaning.
WD-40 Removes All Stickers
Removing stickers from your car inside and out can be a significant pain in the butt if they have deteriorated and are completely stuck to the vehicle. There are many ways to get stickers off your car quickly, but the easiest that has come to light is to use WD-40. All you have to do is spray the WD-40 all over the sticker or excess glue that you want to get rid of and let it soak for several minutes.
Once a couple of minutes pass by, the sticker will come off with ease. So if you are looking to sell your car and want to remove all your stickers, your best bet will be WD-40.
Olive Oil Is Perfect For Polishing Your Interior
Are you looking for a cheap alternative to using something to polish the interior of your car? Then look no further as virgin olive oil will make your car’s interior look brand new. All you have to do is pour some olive oil on a microfiber cloth and clean up the parts that you want polished.
The results are just as good as any polishing solution that is used for your car’s interior and only costs a fraction of the price. Be sure to use a soft cloth as this will give you the best results.
Water And Vinegar Will Make All Your Chrome Shine
Do you have a lot of chrome parts on your car? Would you like to make those parts super shiny again? Then it would be best if you considered using a mixture of water and vinegar to make all your chrome parts shine. All the dealerships use chemicals to clean your chrome parts, but the all-natural way of using water and vinegar is much better.
Mix an equal amount of water and vinegar into a spray bottle and spray all your chrome parts down. Then wipe the parts with a microfiber cloth, and you will have new-looking chrome parts to show off.
Use Essential Oils To Make Your Own Car Freshener
One of the best ways to freshen up your car is to use car fresheners, but if you are tired of buying the same old smells from the gas station, then you should try and make your own air fresheners. It is pretty simple to make your own air fresheners; all you need is an essential oil of your choice and a clothespin.
Add the desired scent to the clothespin, and now you have your own air freshener that has your favorite scent. This is a great way to personalize the smell of your car and a great alternative to using the old air fresheners that everyone uses.
An Easy Way To Remove Melted Crayons
If you have kids, you know that if you leave them with crayons in the car, you will eventually end up with some melted crayons on your seats. If you want to get this professionally cleaned by the dealer, they will charge you hundreds of dollars for the job.
An easy way to remove melted crayons from seats is to use wax paper and an iron. All you need to do is put the wax paper over the melted crayons and use the iron to heat up the spot. The heat will melt the crayons and get stuck to the wax paper. This is a fantastic tip that will save you a lot of money.
Leather Cleaning Kit
If you have leather interior in your car, it is recommended that you buy a leather cleaning kit as this will help prevent the leather from being damaged and give it a great shine. Repairing and cleaning leather seats can be pretty expensive when you take them to a professional, so if you want to save some money, get a leather cleaning kit.
The leather cleaning kit comes with everything you need to keep your leather seats looking brand new and contains unique brushes that are designed not to damage your leather. This is a great addition to add to your car cleaning supplies.
Plastic and Vinyl Colorant
Interior plastic and vinyl can lose their coloring over time, which makes your car look less attractive. A great way to clean and maintain your interior is to wash your plastics with warm water, and soap, then apply a plastic and vinyl colorant. The colorant will help remove any blemishes while restoring the color to its original look.
There are several different colors and brands to choose from so choose wisely. The process for spraying this colorant is simple and only requires a couple of thin coats, but you must wait 24 hours to allow the lacquer dry.
Always Rinse First
This may be obvious, but a great tip for cleaning your car is to always rinse your car before you apply any soap or use a brush. You want to rinse your car before you start cleaning it because you want to wash away as much dirt as possible, as this will leave you with fewer scratches.
Rinsing your car first will also help with the cleaning process as you won’t have as much dust and dirt to scrub off. One of the best ways to rinse your car is to use a high pressured power washer that will have the power to get any loose dirt off your car with ease.
Clean Hood Latch With WD-40
A part that most people look over is the hood latch. The hood latch can get quite dirty over time as it is close to the engine and exposed to the open air. A clean hatch not only looks good, but it also functions better when it is not all gunked up.
An excellent way to clean your hood latch is to use WD-40. All you have to do is spray the hood latch with WD-40, let it sit for a couple of minutes, and then wipe it off with a towel. This will leave the hood latch looking brand new and keep it functioning well.
Easy Way To Remove Scratches
An easy way to remove scratches and shine up your car is to invest in a handheld polisher. These car polishers can make your car look like the ones from the car shows, and they are also good at getting out any scratches.
Using a polisher with a suitable polishing solution will be able to cover up those minor scratches, but if you have deeper ones, you will have to get 3,000 grit sandpaper and rubbing alcohol to get those out. All in all, purchasing a handheld polisher is the way to go when it comes to keeping your car scratch free.
A Great Alternative To Sponges
Several people tend to think that using sponges for cleaning your car is the best solution. Unfortunately, this is wrong as sponges are prone to scratching your car and are not able to get into small spaces. A great alternative is to purchase a microfiber detailing mitt that will leave your car with fewer scratches and give it a better clean.
The great thing about microfiber mitts is that you can use them for a wide variety of things such as cleaning up the interior of your car, drying your car, and cleaning your windows. These are a great investment and don’t cost a lot of money.
Always Start Cleaning At the Top
Always start cleaning your car from the top and work your way down to the bottom. This is another obvious tip that new car owners don’t always know. But we are on Earth, so everything eventually makes its way down due to gravity, and the same applies to cleaning your car. All the filth on the top of your car will come dripping down, and the worst mistake you can make is cleaning the bottom first.
If you have a bigger car, just use a ladder to get to the hard-to-reach places or go to a do-it-yourself car wash where they have ramps you can use.
Apply Protective Film Yourself
Something that is quite expensive is installing a protective film on your car’s exterior. Professionals will charge you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, to apply this protective film. This protective film does have its perks, though, as it protects your car from all those small rocks on the road and will leave your paint looking fresh all the time.
An excellent alternative is that you can apply this film yourself, which costs a fraction of the price, but some patience will be required. Several YouTube videos will guide you in applying this protective film to your car.
Hair Conditioner For Polishing
If you are looking for an alternative to using the traditional polishing that is full of chemicals, then you should consider using a hair conditioner to polish your car. Hair conditioner is still full of chemicals, but the good thing is that they are all-natural and work just the same as name-brand polish solutions.
All you have to do is mix the hair conditioner in warm water and apply it to your car using a microfiber cloth. A hair conditioner is a great way to save some money while still having a polished-looking car.
Motor Oil Will Remove Any Grease Stains
Motor oil will remove any grease stains that you have on your car’s exterior. Motor oil has its many uses, and cleaning grease stains is one of them. If you have a stubborn grease stain that doesn’t want to come out, then look no further, as motor oil is the perfect solution.
You must pour some motor oil on a rag and rub the area filled with grease. The motor oil is so strong that it will break through any grease build-up. Most people always have a couple of motor oil cans in their garage, so if you are one of them, give it a try.
Compressed Air To Clean Air Vents
Another great way to clean your air vents is to use compressed air cans. These relatively cheap duster cans are the perfect solution for getting all the dust and dirt out of your air vents. Air vents are one of the dirtiest places in a car, and it is always wise to clean these regularly as you are breathing in the air constantly.
If you go to the dealership, they will charge you an arm and a leg just to clean your vents. So next time you are at the electronics store, be sure to pick up some compressed air to quickly clean your air vents and save money in the process.
Vaseline Works As A Sealer
Another great way to save some money while still making your car look clean is to use vaseline as a sealer. Vaseline is known for its many purposes, and working as a sealer for the interior and exterior of your car is one of them.
All you have to do is apply a light amount of vaseline to a microfiber cloth and apply the vaseline to your plastics in a circular motion. The vaseline will prevent dust from building up and protect your plastics from minor damage. This is an excellent alternative to using traditional sealers.
Cupcake Liners Help Keep Your Cupholders Clean
Someone came up with the genius idea of using cupcake liners as a way to keep your cupholders clean. The cupcake liners will catch all the little crumbs and dirt that usually accumulates in cupholders. The cupcake liners make it extremely easy to clean the cupholder without using slime or small brushes.
Cupcake liners are very cheap, and you can keep a pack of them in your car so that you can replace them anytime they get too dirty. This is an excellent solution to keeping your car clean and will save you time in the long run.
Hydrogen Peroxide Is Perfect For Removing Stains
If you have a tough stain that refuses to come out, then you should try using hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is used in many different ways, and one of the things that it succeeds at is removing stains. So if you have any stains in your car, all you need to do is pour some hydrogen peroxide on a cloth and dab on the stain.
After a couple of times, you will see that the hydrogen peroxide is more than enough to remove the stain. This method can be used anytime a new stain appears in your car.
Be Sure To Clean Your Headliner
Something that is commonly looked over when cleaning your car is the headliner. The headliner is another spot in your car that becomes the dirtiest as many people forget to clean it. If you don’t keep up with cleaning your headliner it will eventually deteriorate and will look horrible in appearance.
A great way to clean your headliner is to use laundry detergent with a mixture of water but be sure not to soak it as it will be hard to dry it up. Having a clean headliner will also make your car smell and look a lot better.
Clean The Top Of Your Windows
Another common thing overlooked is when people clean their car windows and forget to clean the top of the windows. The top of the windows have more grime and fingerprints than the rest and are usually covered up, so you don’t always notice when they are dirty.
Cleaning the top of your windows will give your car a better appearance while making your windows last a lot longer. When it comes to cleaning your car, it is always best to start from top to bottom, and the same goes for when you are cleaning your windows. So next time you clean your windows, remember to roll them down so you can get to the top of them.
Cleaning Brushes For Wheels Makes The Job Much Easier
Cleaning your rims can be pretty tricky, especially if you are using a sponge to get the job done. A great way to save some time and patience is to use a cleaning brush that is designed to clean your rims. There are several different styles of rims out there, and some have more spokes than others, so purchasing a cleaning brush is critical for making your car look good.
There are several brushes to choose from, each having its own advantages, but just having a brush alone will help you with the process of cleaning your rims and save you time.
Lysol Prevents Your AC From Smelling Bad
A smelly air conditioning unit in your car can be problematic as it can affect your whole day. But a great cheap solution for this is to spray Lysol in your car’s AC unit. All you have to do is locate the exterior vents that are usually located right above your hood and spray as much Lysol as you want into the ducts.
This will make your AC unit smell a lot better and clean up a bit of your air filter. This will also save you a lot of money as getting your AC unit cleaned professionally will cost you hundreds of dollars.
Clean Or Replace Your Air Filters Regularly
The dealership will charge you an extreme amount of money when it comes to cleaning or replacing your air filters. Most dealerships will tell you that you need to replace your air filter all of the time, but there are brands out there that offer washable air filters. These washable air filters will save you money in the long run but are more expensive.
If you don’t want to buy a washable air filter, then be sure to replace your air filter every six to nine months, as they will make your car run better and keep your car smelling fresh.
Windshield Glass Cleaner
Cleaning the windows on your car can be a pain, but a great thing to use to alleviate this is a windshield glass cleaner tool because you can get to those hard-to-reach places, and it has the right angle so that you can clean your windows inside more easily. There are several different tools to choose from on Amazon, and they are a great addition to your cleaning supplies.
You can say bye to dirty car windows as this tool is excellent at getting them clean. These are relatively cheap and usually come in a kit that comes with a cleaning solution. However, if you see small chips or cracks on your windshield, you may have to seek auto glass repair or windshield replacement services.
A Change Holder Can Be Crucial
If you want to keep the inside of your car cleaner and don’t want to damage your interior, then you should invest in a change holder if your car doesn’t have one. Change holders are a lifesaver because you can store all of your loose change in one spot. Change is also known to damage your car’s interior if left in a cupholder, for instance.
Change holders are pretty cheap and come in several different styles that will fit in any car. Having one of these handy will save you time and also give you a reason to use your change.
Buy A Whole Car Cleaning Kit
Suppose you are someone that doesn’t want to make any homemade solutions but you still want to clean your car yourself without taking it to the dealership or some professional. Then it would be best if you considered buying a complete car cleaning kit that a brand-named company sells with a good reputation. One to point out is AmorAll, but there are several out there that do just about the same thing.
These kits are sometimes a little pricey, but they include everything to clean and keep your car in good condition. The good thing is that it is still cheaper than taking your vehicle to the dealer to get it detailed.
I hope you have enjoyed these 50 car cleaning tips that dealers don’t want you to know, and that they come in handy for you the next time you decide to clean your car.