How to wash your car at home like a pro

Nowadays, there’s an abundance of car wash services and businesses you can choose from, but it’s hard to beat the satisfaction of washing your car yourself. One of our most forgotten car maintenance tips is giving your car a good clean and ensuring its paintwork is in good condition. If you’re wondering how to wash your car like a pro, follow our top tips on how to get that new car feeling at home! 

If you’ve no clue where to start, you could consider the following: 

• Invest in a good car cleaning kit. Our Christmas Gift Guide for Car Lovers recommends the CarPlan Demon 7 Piece Car Cleaning Kit.

• Keep it quick and simple. If your new car washing routine is going to take hours out of your day, you’re less likely to want to wash your car at home. 
• Access to a hose or pressure washer. If you don’t have a garden hose at home, invest in a pressure washer to cut the cleaning time in half. 
• Grab the essentials. You’ll need at least one bucket, a car wash mitt or sponge and some microfibre cloths. 

How often should you wash your car? 

There’s no real time frame for how often you should wash your car, and it can be down to personal preference. Some of us will leave our cars until they’re crying out for a good clean, and some will make it part of their weekly routine. If you live in an urban area with dusty or muddy roads, you may feel your car needs washing more often.

As a general rule, it is recommended that you wash your car every two weeks. This can help to improve safety while driving, prolong your car’s paintwork, and prevents rust or peeling. 

Are car washes bad for your car? 

Using a drive-through car wash can be efficient and fast, but some car washes can actually damage your car’s paint and finish. The chemicals used in the wash can also affect the rubber and plastic parts of your car’s exterior. Not only that, but some car washes can dull the colour of your car. If you want to prolong the life of your car’s paintwork and keep it looking fresh, washing your car at home is recommended. 

How to wash your car at home: 

Follow our easy 10-step guide to washing and cleaning your car at home! 

1. Pre-rinse.

Before you get to the grubby bit, first give your car’s exterior a quick pre-rinse. You’ll actually be surprised how much dirt and grime you can get off by using a hose or pressure washer. This can help speed up the cleaning time and prepare your car for washing. 

2. Wheels and Tyres.

Your car’s wheels and tyres need the most attention when washing, so get them out of the way early on. We also recommend cleaning each wheel one at a time. Once they’ve had a pre-rinse to remove loose dirt, apply your chosen cleaner liberally. You can then use a dedicated tyre cleaning brush or cloth to get them gleaming again. Remember to get in all the hard-to-reach areas and crevices to ensure a stunning overall clean. Then, rinse the wheels and tyres and use a clean microfibre cloth to dry them. 

3. Wash panel by panel.

Once your wheels and tyres are sparkling clean, it’s time to start on the body of your car. We recommend working from the top down and going panel by panel, this can help you focus on one area at time and helps you to pay close attention to any little nooks and crannies. When washing your car with your car cleaner, you may automatically start in a circular motion, however, this can leave streak marks. You’re best of using a clean wash mitt and washing in straight lines. 

Repeat this process for any stubborn stains or marks. 

4. Post rinse.

Again, grab your garden hose or pressure washer, and it’s time to rinse your car. Just like when you wash your car, start from the top and work your way down so any cleaning fluid is washed down the vehicle. If it’s a warm day and the car starts to dry, you may need to wash and rinse each panel one at a time instead. Once all shampoo and cleaning products have been properly removed, it’s time to dry! 

5. Dry thoroughly.

Many drivers end their car washing process after the washing part. However, drying your car is also a very important step. Leaving your car to air dry, especially if it’s a (surprisingly) warm day in the UK, can undo your hard work. It can form water marks on your windows and windscreen, and can show up on dark coloured cars.

You should use a new, dry soft cloth or chamois to dry your car properly. Again, work from top to bottom and go panel by panel.

6. Open the doors, bonnet and boot.

Dirt and grime can get in your car’s crevices, so be sure to clean them. Before you start cleaning and hoovering your car’s interior. Check the door sill, under the bonnet and underneath the boot door, all of which can look clean when closed. These can easily be cleaned with some water and a clean wash mitt. Then give them a quick dry, and you’re ready to clean the interior. 

7. Declutter your car.

Did you know extra weight in your vehicle can increase your fuel consumption? Before you start vacuuming your car, get rid of any unnecessary items, rubbish, and extra weight. 

8. Give it a good hoover.

Remove all car mats from the floor and clear out any items from the boot. Then, give the floors a good hoover out and make sure you get rid of any dust or debris. You can also use a small hoover attachment to get any dirt trapped in cupholders or small compartments. Before putting your car mats back in, give them a bash together and loosen any dirt. Then, give them a hoover too. Remember to hoover out the boot and pop all your essential belongings back in too.

9. Clean the dashboard & hard surfaces.

Cleaning your car’s hard surfaces can be as easy as cleaning them with a damp cloth and then drying them. You can also pick up a pack of dashboard cleaning wipes for a couple of pounds if you want a deeper clean. Remember to clean your dashboard, centre console, steering wheel, gear stick, door handles, and any other hard surfaces. 

10. Spritz up your upholstery.

Finally, the last step in how to wash your car at home is to clean your seats and upholstery. Invest in a cleaner for your seat type (leather, fabric, or both) and use it as directed. Once you’re done, you can use a clean, damp cloth to blot up any excess cleaning products. The best way to dry your seats after cleaning is to blot them with a dry, clean towel and leave the car doors open to allow them to air dry. 

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