Mommy’s Guide to Cars & Tires

Car Cleaning & Detailing

Cleaning your vehicle regularly enhances its appearance and maintains its value over time. While the standard carwash will do, it’s important to detail your car every so often to truly make it sparkle. Here are some tips to help keep your vehicle shiny for less:

Interior Cleaning

• Start by cleaning the interior of your vehicle first.
• Vacuum and clean all of the seats, floor, floor mats and carpeting.
• Wipe down hard surfaces using Windex® or Formula 409®.
• Use cotton swabs for crevices such as the dashboard and air vent grilles that are hard to reach with a cleaning rag.
• Clean minor stains with an interior cleaner such as Meguiar’s Quick Out™ Carpet & Upholstery and blot dry with paper towels.

Exterior Cleaning

• Park in the shade to keep the car surface cool.
• Use a soap made specifically for washing cars, not a household detergent, to prevent damage to your car’s finish. Apply soap with a natural sponge or lamb’s-wool mitt.
• Use two buckets — one for a mixture of water and cleaning solution and the other for rinsing.
• Work from top to bottom in sections since the lower areas accumulate more abrasive dust.
• Don’t forget the tires! Clean them with warm water and soap or Michelin® Wheel & Tire Cleaner since other chemical agents can deteriorate the rubber.
• Dry your car using a terry cloth or microfiber towel. Use a different one for the wheels.
• It’s time to polish your car when the water stops “beading” on the exterior after it rains or when washing. Follow the recommended instructions and use smooth, circular motions, then back and forth motions for good coverage.

Sources: DoItYourself.com and PopularMechanics.com

Handy Cleaning Tips

1. Avoid odors by placing baking soda or potpourri in your car’s ashtray or another hidden compartment like your glove box.
2. Keep wet wipes handy to clean up the steering wheel, dashboard, cup holders, center console and other areas of your car.

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Other articles from this issue:

• What You Should Know About Tires
• How to Read a Sidewall
• Know the Correct Tire Pressure
• Tire Maintenance 101
• Top Maintenance Tips Every Mom Should Know
• Car Cleaning & Detailing
• Money-Saving Driving Habits
• Pump up the Gas Savings
• Car Safety Basics for the Whole Family
• Are You Prepared for the Unexpected?
• What to do in Wet Conditions