Spring Cleaning Tips: Don’t Forget Your Car!

With spring approaching, we can’t forget about spring cleaning. Your efforts to clean up and declutter your life shouldn’t just be limited to your house. It should also translate into your car. You spend a lot of time in it, and you’ll enjoy driving it even more if it’s well organized, clean, and smelling fresh. Spring is the perfect time to fix the damage winter has inflicted on your car, so follow these tips to keep your car clean for the months to come. 

 

Keep reading to get some spring cleaning tips for your vehicle. 

 

Clean Your Console

Your console is an essential part of your car, so don’t forget about it. Wipe it down with a damp cloth and make sure to get the cup holders too. Stay away from electrical connections that might not respond well to moisture. 

 

Get Your Windows and Mirrors

Over the winter, your windows will have accumulated dirt and debris. They might even have been smeared by hands after long hours in the car with the windows up. Make sure to clean your windows inside and out. Don’t forget your mirrors, as they are essential for you to see clearly. 

 

Check Your Windshield Wipers

With the spring season bringing rainy weather, you should make sure to check your windshield wipers. You’re going to need good wipers to be prepared for the rain. Make sure they’re not worn and if not, replace them easily. 

 

Carpet can be one of the dirtiest things in your car, so make sure to check this next point. 

 

Cleaning Your Carpeting

By the time spring comes around, passengers have tracked mud and salt into your car all winter long. Unless you’re a person that cleans your vehicle very often, a lot of dirt has been accumulating. Make sure to vacuum the carpet and use a cleaning solution to remove any stains that refuse to come out. Use a damp towel to wash the seats of your car as well. 

Junk in the Trunk

We tend to forget about all the junk that is accumulating in the trunk because it’s out of sight. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Wrong. The trunk can get dirty too, and too much junk can affect your driving and the weight of the car. Get rid of any unnecessary items you might have piled in back there and vacuum the trunk. Make sure you tend to the cracks and crevices as well and check on the spare tire to make sure it’s properly inflated.

 

There can be so much junk in the trunk, but in other compartments as well. Read this next point to find out how to clean them.  

 

All Other Compartments

Speaking of compartments, make sure you clean all other compartments in your car, not just the trunk. When you’re in a hurry to get in and out of your vehicle during the winter, you might accumulate crumbs, debris, and trash in them. Make sure to clean them out and organize all objects in time for spring. A clutter-free life includes your car!

 

Get the Exterior Looking its Best

Your vehicle might’ve endured a snowstorm or two, as well as winter rainstorms, so you will need a good car wash when the spring season starts. You might want to go to a full-service detailer to remove all of the winter’s dirt and grime. They will be able to clean it very thoroughly. But, if you are a DIYer, make sure you use a soft sponge and mild car detergent when you are washing your car. Rinse and wipe the vehicle down with a soft towel and, for best results, follow up with a wax treatment. This will get your car’s exterior looking it’s absolute best. 

The Engine

The engine is the most essential part of a car, and it’s very easy to neglect. Make sure to look under the hood and remove any excess grime that might have accumulated. If it seems significantly dirty, it might be best to have it professionally cleaned. 

It can also be an excellent time to replace your engine air filter as well. It has the critical job of ensuring the air entering your engine is cleaned and free of debris. If this air is dirty, your engine’s performance and fuel economy will be affected. 

 

Now, this next point is critical for the well-being of your car, so keep reading to find it out.

 

Get That Air Conditioner Working

Now that warmer months are coming, it’s important to have your air conditioner working in top condition before heatwave season starts. Make sure that it’s working correctly and check on the cabin air filter as well. This is responsible for filtering air through your cabin, and, especially with allergy season coming, it must be working.  

 

Check Your Belts and Hoses

Belts and hoses are subject to wear and tear, especially in the winter, so make sure you check them. Unless you catch the problem ahead of time, they can break without warning. This is something you might want to ask your technician to asses and replace if that were the case. 

Replenish Those Fluids

The winter season can do a number on your vehicle’s fluids, specifically your brake, transmission, and power steering fluids. For spring cleaning, it is an ideal time to check these and to top off the wiper fluid and coolant as well. 

Oil is another fluid that is important to check on. You should get an oil change every 3000 miles or every three months. Maintenance of oil can slip your mind during the winter season, so make sure to check it in the springtime.

 

Spring cleaning is a big part of our lives, helping us declutter and clean all those unwanted extras from the winter. Your car is also a big part of your life, so don’t forget about your car this upcoming spring. These spring cleaning tips will help keep your vehicle in top condition and, in the end, will improve your driving experience and extend its life expectancy. 

 

 

Sources

https://burtbrothers.com/blog/spring-cleaning-tips/

https://www.orindamotors.com/blog/spring-cleaning–don-t-forget-your-vehicle-

https://www.louettaautomotive.com/spring-cleaning-checklist-dont-forget-your-car/

 

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