Spring is a great time to give your car a thorough clean after it has been left to gather dirt, mud and grime over the winter months. With the onset of warmer weather it is the perfect time for a spring car cleaning session to show off your pride and joy in its full shiny metallic glory. Here we run through the essential tasks for a car spring clean.
Check The Weather Forecast
There is nothing more demoralising than setting aside your spare time at the weekend to start cleaning your car only to have the British summer rain ruin your work.
Try to pick a time when the weather is mild and dry. If it’s sunny, find a spot in the shade to avoid products drying out too quickly on your car, leaving behind spots or residue.
Prepare Your Cleaning Products
Gather all of your car cleaning products, and ensure you have everything you will need. Your basic car cleaning kit should include the following:
The list of cleaning materials is almost endless depending on how you prefer to finish and detail your car, the above are the basics.
Clean The Exterior and Wheels
Grit and debris from winter roads can cling to your paint and wheels so spring is the perfect time for a good clean down. Start with an all over pre-wash with a pressure washer or specialist grit remover to avoid dragging grit across the paint work.
After this, use a sponge or mitt soaked with car shampoo to wash the car, but make sure to dip it into a separate bucket of clean water after each wipe. For wheels, use brushes to loosen dirt from alloys and wheel arches. Rinse the car and wheels off with clean water, then apply any finishing products such as a clay bar, wax or polish.
For extensive guides to cleaning your car see super-cleaning your car or learn how to clay bar your car, or how to deep clean the inside of your car.
Clean or Replace Windscreen Wipers
Despite the weather turning milder, spring can still bring rainy weather so having correctly functioning wiper blades is essential. See how to clean your wipers here. If your wipers show any signs of cracking, smearing, squeaking or juddering it is likely time to replace them.
Top Up Screen Wash
During winter we can go through a lot of washer fluid, cleaning windscreens due to dirty and gritted roads. Ensure it is topped up for spring to ensure you maintain your visibility.
Topping up screen wash is straightforward. Under the bonnet their will be washer fluid reservoir, often with a blue cap. Add screen wash until it reaches the maximum line. Check your vehicle handbook if you are unsure.
Replace Cabin Filters
Pollen season starts in March, with trees and grass coming into bloom. If you’re an allergy sufferer, make sure you replace your car’s pollen filter ahead of time. Not only do they stop pollen entering the cabin, they also trap unwanted debris and particles. It’s also worth giving all your vents a quick clean at the same time to remove any residual dust and dirt.
Declutter
Before cleaning the interior, remove any rubbish that has accumulated, as well as unnecessary toys, shoes and bags. Ensure you leave the essentials in the glove box and boot in case of emergencies.
Vacuum The Mats, Interior and Boot
Winter boots, wellies and pets bring in all kinds of dirt into the car. Take spring as an opportunity to pull out all the floor mats and give them a good hoover. You may even wish to wash them while you’re at it. Give the footwells, seats and boot a vacuum at the same time to rid your car of debris, pet hair and crumbs.
For an extensive list of car cleaning products and accessories visit our website or your nearest Euro Car Parts branch where our friendly staff will be more than willing to provide you with some expert advice.
