Spring cleaning: With these tips, your car will be clean in no time
Created: 05/05/2022Updated: 05/05/2022 09:25
The thorough washing of the vehicle initiates the automotive spring cleaning.
© Christin Klose/dpa-tmn
In spring it's time to give the car a thorough clean.
Find out here which utensils you really need for cleaning your car.
The spring sun invites more and more often to be "outside".
The car should also benefit from this.
So get rid of the winter dirt and road salt residue.
This not only maintains, but also protects against rust and more.
But driving to the car wash alone is not enough.
According to the Auto Club Europa (ACE), spring cleaning begins earlier.
Car cleaning: Clear out and provide care arsenal
The first thing to do is to thoroughly clean and tidy up the car.
It is better to have the
necessary
cleaning supplies for the washing area already at hand.
Depending on the scope of the work, this should be sponges, cloths, buckets, glass cleaner, cockpit care and rim cleaner.
And don't forget the coins for the suction machine.
You can also read here how to easily clean the car carpet.
Clean to the crevices: The vacuum should be given a thorough opportunity to collect dust and loose dirt.
© Christin Klose/dpa-tmn
Spring cleaning for the car: Don't forget the wheel housings and rims
Before it goes into the car
wash
, the coarse dirt is removed with a thorough hand wash or in the wash box with the high-pressure cleaner.
Don't
forget the
wheel arches
and
rims .
The ACE advises a distance of at least 30 centimeters to avoid damage to the paintwork.
Let the water flow: Before driving through the car wash, remove the coarse dirt from the car with the high-pressure cleaner.
© Christin Klose/dpa-tmn
In the car wash, the ACE recommends choosing a program with
underbody
washing .
This also thoroughly removes dirt and road salt there and protects the car from rust.
Some wash boxes also have an underbody washing function.
Vacuuming and wiping - this is how car interior cleaning works
The interior is best tackled with a thorough vacuum cleaner tour
.
Plastic parts are first cleaned of dirt with a slightly damp, soft microfiber cloth.
You can then apply cockpit spray or other plastic care products to the dry surfaces.
Spots in the upholstery can be tackled with stain remover for textiles or upholstery foam.
New products are better tested on an inconspicuous spot beforehand.
After washing, also clean the door sills and the rubber seals on the doors.
The rubbers can be cared for with talc, deer tallow or Vaseline.
If you find minor scratches in the paint, you can try to remove them with a polish.
In the case of larger paint defects, experts should take a look at it.
This also applies to stone chips and cracks in the pane.
Tip: Cover the stone chip with transparent adhesive strips so that no dirt gets in until the workshop appointment.
Check tires and fluids
Now let's look at the tires.
Do you still have enough profile?
The law stipulates a minimum of 1.6 millimeters.
However, the ACE recommends at least four millimeters of remaining profile for winter tires and at least three millimeters for summer tires.
When checking the profile, also look for damage and cracks and set the correct air pressure at the gas station.
Now let's go?
Almost - another quick look under the sheet metal.
Last stop: the operating fluids.
Is there still enough
engine oil, washer fluid and cooling water
?
When it comes to
mopping water
, the ACE experts recommend additives that are adapted to the seasons.
Such a summer cleaner can handle summer dirt - such as dead insects - better than the one for winter.
If you dare, you can also change the cabin air
filter
.
The car club recommends changing the car every year and choosing a model with activated carbon filtration.
Such a filter also protects better against odors and pollen in the air.
You can also read here how the car window can be cleaned again in a flash with the help of vinegar water.
(dpa/ahu)
