Keeping a car clean is an exhausting chore.
I like to have the vehicle shine and its tire rims sparkling as I drive around. I also like the inside to be clean.
Unfortunately, not everyone in my household thinks that vehicles you use and get dirty should be cleaned right after use.
Over the weekend I received an email from StressFreeCarRental.com titled “Ten Ways to Keep Your Car Clean.”
Here are the ones I found interesting – plus I’ve added one of my own.
•Wet wipes. Keeping a packet of wet wipes in your glove compartment is essential for staying on top of spillages. By having these handy, you can wipe up any mess as soon as it happens. This way you won’t have a hard time trying to scrub it off later.
•Waterproof backseat cover. There’s nothing worse than muddy paws (or your grandkids’ spilling of food and drink) ruining your car seats, and the thought of cleaning this afterward is even worse. A waterproof backseat cover is a great option to keep your car clean and will avoid a messy clean up.
•Shake out the car mats. One of the simplest things you can do to stop dirt from accumulating is shaking out your car mats once a week. This means when you do get around to doing your big clean, it won’t be such a mammoth task to having to scrub mud and dirt off the mats and may save you a lot of time.
•Clean the interior windows. It is easy to forget about the insides of the windows when you’re so used to washing the outside. But washing the inside, too, makes your car appear so much cleaner and improves your visibility. The most cost-effective way to get the dirt and grime off these is to make your own solution. Simply mix two tablespoons vinegar, one cup of rubbing alcohol and put it in a spray bottle.
•Clean the headlights. A great way to make your headlights appear brighter is by using toothpaste and a cloth. This is another cost-effective way to make your car look cleaner and improve your road safety.
•Clean the air vents. Something as simple as a paintbrush to brush the dust in the vents will solve dust circulating around in the car.
And my “plus” observation … Have your spouse purchase a newer vehicle. Bryan recently replaced our aging pickup. I’ve noticed this newer vehicle is kept spotless and the interior gets a regular tidying up.
Slowly I’m beginning to see my preference of “clean after use” being applied. Here’s hoping that our third vehicle, our “farm truck,” will finally get some cleaning after each use – and not just by me.