Every car owner wants to keep their car looking spick and span, regardless of the make. It’s no wonder the car wash industry in the US is worth a staggering $5.8 billion. It’s okay to spend a couple of dollars on a car wash, but the truth is, you don’t have to!
Don’t get us wrong, car washes do a great job of cleaning cars and save you a lot of time. However, it only takes a few miles for your car to become dirty again. Plus, with so many top-notch car cleaning products available today, cleaning your car by yourself should be a piece of cake.
If you’re in the market for cleaning products for your car, you’re likely to be overwhelmed by the plethora of options. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of the various types of car cleaning products that should be on your wishlist.
Bucket and Sponge
We’ll kick off our list with some essentials: a bucket and sponge. It seems a bit obvious, but still worth mentioning.
Find a decent-sized bucket that will carry enough water so you don’t have to keep getting water too frequently. Also, consider getting two buckets for cleaning your car; one will hold fresh, clean water, while the other will hold the soapy solution. That way, you can rinse your sponge with fresh, clean water when dirty, and get back to work.
There’s nothing holding you back from using old rags to wash your car, but the results might be underwhelming. Invest in a high-quality sponge for a bang-up job and faster cleaning. A microfiber sponge or cloth works best because it’s super absorbent.
Another advantage of microfiber sponges is that they don’t hold grit. This reduces or eliminates the chances of accidentally scratching your car.
Car Wash Liquid or Shampoo
Washing your car with regular household products like soap and dishwashing liquid may work to your detriment. That’s because dishwashing liquid is an abrasive soap, meaning it speeds up oxidation on your car’s paint job. This will give the car’s exterior a dull look, no matter how hard you clean it.
Car wash liquid or shampoo is the best alternative for cleaning your car. However, with so many car wash liquid products on the market, how do you get the right one?
Well, the first thing to look for in car wash liquid is one that is PH neutral. PH neutral car wash liquids help remove any white spots from your car’s exterior. These white spots are usually the result of mineral residue that remains on the car after you’re done cleaning.
Also, find a car wash liquid that bubbles up well to make it easier to remove dirt and grime. Other liquids combine shampoo and conditioners, while others double as waxes too. Check out reviews and find a car wash liquid that suits you best.
Companies like Koch Chemie are famous for their top-tier interior car cleaning products. Maybe you should give their products a whirl.
Grit Guard
A grit guard is a nifty little contraption that you place at the bottom of your bucket. As the name implies, this device protects grit from swirling around in your cleaning water. This means it won’t get on your sponge or washing cloth and scratch your car.
After wiping the car, rub your sponge over the grit guard to remove all the grit on the sponge. Use a grit guard with a micro-fiber cloth or sponge for ultimate grit protection.
Wheel Cleaner and Wheel Brush
Your wheels take a huge beating from driving miles on top of miles every day. They’re also more predisposed to getting dirty than the rest of the car. Car tires are likely to accumulate brake dust, tar, and grime from your frequent journeys.
A high-quality wheel cleaner and brush will help keep your tires squeaky clean. The cleaner is a solution that helps remove dust, dirt, and grime from the wheels. The wheel brush, on the other hand, lets you really get in there to get rid of all the dirt on your wheels.
Cleaning your tires is as easy as spraying the cleaner on the wheels a few times. Next, take the wheel brush and scrub thoroughly. Lastly, use a water hose to rinse the wheels clean.
It’s worth noting that some wheel cleaners might damage your wheel finish. To be safe, test the cleaner on part of the wheel and check for any damage. If there’s no damage, you’re good to go.
Car Polish and Wax
If you want a gleaming car that looks showroom-ready, you need not look any further than car polish and wax. Polishing your car’s paint job provides an additional layer of protection from the elements. It also keeps it shining and looking suave.
Car polish and wax are also great at covering swirl marks and tiny scratch marks caused by dirt and debris. The right car polish or wax will help your car retain its sheen for years to come.
Window Cleaner
While cleaning the car exterior, don’t forget about the windows. Not only are clean windows important for visibility, but they also play an important aesthetic role. There are tons of window cleaners available today, so check out reviews to find the best one.
If your windows have tints, we don’t recommend using window cleaners that contain alcohol or ammonia. The alcohol or ammonia may damage the window tints, making them bubble up or discolor. For the best results, we advise using a micro-fiber cloth while cleaning your windows.
Interior Cleaners and Wipes
With the exterior in check, it’s now time to work on the interior. To do so, you’ll need interior car cleaning products like an interior cleaner and a set of wipes. Wiping your interior with this cleaner will help keep it clean and also extend its longevity.
Ensure you find an interior cleaner that matches your upholstery. For instance, don’t use a leather cleaner on nylon upholstery.
Your Car Deserves the Best Car Cleaning Products
It’s now up to you to find the best car cleaning products for your precious car. Remember, it’s never a good idea to skimp on car cleaning products. Only settle for the best car cleaning products worthy of your vehicle.
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