With a little effort, you can professionally clean, disinfect and detail your ride. It takes a couple hours, but most likely you have the time right now.
Start inside
Begin by cleaning the inside of the vehicle, as you’ll need time for it to dry before washing the exterior. Be sure to wash your hands first.
What to use: According to the CDC, cleaners containing at least 70% alcohol are effective against coronavirus, and most surfaces can be safely cleaned using isopropyl alcohol. Also, if the cleaner has an EPA registration number on its label, it’s a germ-killing powerhouse. But be sure to read the instructions on how long to leave the cleaner on a particular surface to ensure its effectiveness. You can also use soap and water.
Do not use ammonia, bleach or hydrogen peroxide. They can kill the coronavirus, but they can also damage upholstery and specialty coatings throughout the car’s interior.
Work from the top down, using a soft brush to loosen dust and dirt from the cracks and crevices in the dash. The debris will fall on the seats, carpets and mats, which are the final items that get cleaned.
1. Remove all accumulated debris from the map pockets, glovebox, cracks, crevices, the center console and trunk. Wipe out and vacuum the center console bin, glovebox and any interior storage bins.
2. Wipe down the instrument panel and vehicle trim panels with a microfiber cloth and a mild cleaner. Use a disinfectant for the steering wheel, door handles, transmission shifter, touchscreens, buttons, wiper and turn signal levers, armrests, grab handles, seatbelt buckles, cupholders, center console bins, glovebox handle and seat adjusters; tackle climate control vents and panel seams with cotton swabs.
3. Clean the glass. Spray window cleaner on your towel so mist doesn’t fall on your clean dashboard. Follow with a second towel to avoid streaks.
4. Vacuum upholstered areas and carpets, including headliner and the rear parcel shelf. Be sure to reach under the seats. And don’t forget about the trunk.
5. Clean the seats. Upholstery cleaner or a steam cleaner will do for cloth seats. For leather seats, use a mild leather cleaner or saddle soap, followed by a leather conditioner. This prevents the leather from drying out and cracking. Do not rub too hard; leather is often dyed, and scrubbing too firmly removes it.
6. Shampoo the carpet and scrub the floor mats with a scrub brush.
7. Grab a cold beverage and check your social media feed while the interior dries. You’re about to tackle your vehicle’s exterior.
Outside
What to use: Use a car washing liquid that’s designed for use on automotive paint along with a natural sponge. Don’t use household cleaners or dishwashing liquid, which can harm modern finishes.
You need multiple sponges for this job, one for each cleaner. If you drop it, get a clean one; small bits of debris from a dropped rag can scratch paint.
Make sure the car is cool and parked in a shady spot. Washing a car in direct sunlight or when it’s hot can cause deposits or spots to form on the paint.
1. Rinse your car thoroughly with gently flowing warm water to loosen dirt. Avoid using high pressure or hot water, which can damage paint.
2. Wash the car from the top down, moving the sponge lengthwise across the car. Do not move the sponge in circles, as it creates swirl marks. Rinse thoroughly, starting at the top and working your way down. Use a separate bucket of water to clean the sponge before starting on each area of the car. This prevents small debris from scratching the paint.
4. Use a bug and tar remover to clean stubborn dirt from bumpers.
5. Next, clean brake dust from wheels using a wheel cleaner designed for your type of wheel, be it chrome, aluminum or painted. Rinse. But be careful: Cleaning a hot wheel rim can stain or etch the wheel.
6. Direct the hose into the underside of the wheel well to remove dirt or debris. Wash the door jambs and the channel around the trunk and sunroof.
7. Dry the car using a chamois or soft terry towel in a back and forth motion. Remember to dry the door jambs, sunroof and trunk channels.
8. Polish the car, then wax. This yields the best results. Polish is slightly abrasive and removes fine scratches while adding luster to the finish, while waxing protects the paint. Never rub in circles; it can create swirl marks in the paint. Instead, use a back-and-forth motion. If your car is older consider using a more abrasive cleaner wax. If your car is newer, use a less abrasive glaze wax.
9. Apply a silicone spray to your car’s weather-stripping in the door jambs to prevent air and water leaks.
10. Spray on tire-shine products to give a finishing touch to your wheels.
Finally
1. Don’t forget to clean your keys or key fob, most likely it’s covered with germs.
2. Keep a small bottle of hand sanitizer in the glove box, and some disposable gloves. After all, gas pump handles and buttons are exceptionally dirty, and rarely cleaned.
3. Have your driven your car lately? Be sure to drive it at least once every two weeks until it’s fully warmed up. Ten miles, preferably at highway speeds, should do the trick. This prevents many problems.
4. Stay safe. Cleaning your car thoroughly is one way to remain so.
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