How To Properly Wash Your Car At Home
Giving your car a proper wash goes beyond just soap and water! Here's a step-by-step guide to get your Charlotte County car sparkling clean, no matter what method you choose:
Preparation:
Find the right spot: Park your car in a shaded area, preferably on a level surface. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can cause the soap to dry too quickly, leaving water spots.
Gather your supplies: You'll need car wash shampoo, two buckets (one for soapy water, one for rinsing), microfiber wash mitts and towels, a hose with a nozzle, wheel cleaner, tire shine (optional), and a drying aid (optional).
Washing:
Pre-rinse: Use the hose to remove loose dirt and debris from the entire car, starting from the top and working your way down. Pay special attention to the wheels and wheel wells.
Two-bucket method: This helps prevent scratches. Fill one bucket with soapy water (as per the car wash shampoo instructions) and the other with clean water for rinsing your mitt frequently.
Washing: Dip your mitt in the soapy water, wring it out slightly, and wash the car in sections, starting from the top and working your way down. Use straight lines, not circles, to avoid swirls. Rinse your mitt often in the clean water bucket and wring it out before dipping it back in the soapy water.
Wheels and tires: Clean the wheels separately with a dedicated wheel cleaner, following the product instructions. Apply tire shine if desired.
Final rinse: Use the hose to thoroughly rinse the entire car, removing all soap residue.
Drying:
Microfiber towels: Use clean, dry microfiber towels to gently dry the car, again working from top to bottom. This helps prevent water spots and scratches.
Drying aid: For a streak-free finish, you can use a drying aid, following the product instructions.
And if you decide you’d rather not do it at all, give Orange Ya Dirty of Port Charlotte a call at (941) 628-7788 and we’ll take care of it for you!