There is something so nice about driving a brand new car. The way it looks and the way it smells – so new and clean. Unfortunately, over time, these things begin to fade away. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could keep your car looking – and smelling – as it did the day you drove it off the showroom floor? Below are some tips that can help you do just that!
Don’t forget the inside
Whenever you wash your car, don’t just focus on the outside, do the inside too. Always vacuum and sponge the interior. Make sure you use the appropriate wand heads when vacuuming, and be careful not to scratch and mark up surfaces. Clean vinyl surfaces with a soft sponge and a solution made up of of mild detergent and water.
Care for Fabric Upholstery
Thoroughly clean the fabric upholstery and the carpet in your car with a vacuum followed by a foam rug cleaner to remove stubborn stains as directed by the maker. Vacuum when dry. You can also spray the fabric car seats and carpets with a fabric protectant to help make them resist dirt and stains.
Cleaning The Mats
Another thing to do when washing your vehicle is to remove the floor mats and clean them. If the mats are rubber, you can blast them with a hose. If the mats are fabric, use a vacuum to remove loose dirt and a fabric cleaner for stains. Let the mats dry thoroughly before reinstalling them.
Let Mats Take the Beating
Always use the floor mats to protect the carpet. While interior mats often show wear and tear quickly, they are also easily replaced. The best type is the rubber mats as they are durable, they stay in place, and they don’t allow water to seep through. Most dealerships, such as Brown’s Alfa Romeo, can help you find a variety of mats that are made for your specific vehicle.
Park in the shade
The sun can be extremely damaging over time to a vehicle, both inside and out. While a garage is always the ideal place to park your vehicle, if one isn’t available, minimize interior damage from UV sunlight and heat by always trying to park your vehicle in the shade. Using a window shade can also help protect the interior, not to mention keep the car cooler.
For more tips on keeping your car looking and smelling new, finish reading this article HERE.
Image courtesy Uriah Welcome via Flickr