It's time for spring cleaning... for your car!
Spring is already in full swing, and you may have rushed out to clean your house, garage and yard. But have you forgotten about your car? It needs more than a change of tires, it needs some love too!
In a few of our previous articles, we've put together some tips for spring mechanical maintenance, so that you're ready to take advantage of the fine weather to enjoy long outings on the road. Here, we're going to focus more on exterior and interior care.
Outdoor
A good wash is always a good idea, but after winter and all the accumulated dirt, it's even more important. An extended session at the car wash is easy and effective, but you can do the job at home and save money at the same time. Choosing a non-sunny day and ideally using a high-pressure washer, start by spraying the entire bodywork, mouldings, rims, inside fenders and, as far as possible, the underside of the vehicle, where the most winter grime accumulates. Continue until the dripping water runs clear.
Then, using a soft cloth or sponge, wash with soapy water, working from top to bottom. Choose products specifically designed for cars: they are non-abrasive, won't remove wax and won't leave a greasy film. Regularly rinse not only the vehicle, but also your sponge. Then dry with a chamois.
Waxing is at your discretion, but gives even better results. Use a soft cloth and only work on small sections at a time. On the other hand, a protective coating on the rubber seals of the doors and trunk is a good idea to prevent them from drying out and cracking during the coming summer.
Don't forget your wiper blades! If you've installed them specifically for winter, you'll need to change them now. Oh, and what about removing the ski rack on the roof, which increases wind resistance and makes driving noisier?
Interior
One of the most satisfying aspects of spring cleaning is getting rid of everything that's been lying around during the cold season. This saves space and weight. You no longer need to carry salt bags, snow broom, scraper, shovel and traction grates in the trunk. You can also reduce the size of your emergency kit to keep only the essentials for the warm season.
Now for the interior. A big job in spring, of course, is to remove the calcium and small rocks that have built up over the preceding months. Don't just think of the carpets and rugs underneath: there may also be some on the seat cushions and at the bottom of the doors.
The vacuum cleaner is your first ally. If yours isn't powerful enough, you could visit a service station that offers an industrial vacuum cleaner. Then, using a solution of water and vinegar, scrub the carpets. A nice sunny day can be used to hang them on the clothesline.
A cloth simply soaked in hot water is sufficient for the dashboard, doors and leather seats. Don't use an ammonia solution, which could damage the plastic. For stubborn stains, use a detergent mixed with cold water (not hot, as this may set the stain permanently).
The next step is to clean out the various storage compartments (console, armrests, doors, glove compartment, front seat back pockets, etc.). All the garbage and useless items can go right out.
Finally, if all these tasks seem tedious, spread them out over several days. Involve the whole family - everyone will appreciate the time spent on the road even more!
