As the days get longer and the weather brightens up, there’s no better time to give your car a thorough spring clean. Months of grit, salt, and mud can leave both the inside and outside of your vehicle looking tired and grimy, but with the right tools and a bit of know-how, you can restore it to showroom shine.
How to Clean the Outside of Your Car
The Body
Winter roads throw all sorts of muck at your car, and if left untreated, this build-up can damage your paintwork over time. A good pre-wash using a jet washer is the perfect way to blast off the worst of the dirt before you get into the details.
Some quick Car Washing Tips:
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Start at the top and work your way down – gravity is your friend.
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Avoid using household cleaning products – they can strip the protective coatings off your paint. Instead, opt for car-specific shampoos and waxes.
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Skip the sponge – they trap grit and can scratch the surface. Use a microfibre cloth instead.
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For stubborn grime, a second round with your jet washer or a gentle rub with a microfibre towel will do the trick.
Windscreen and Windows
Clear visibility is crucial for safe driving, and nothing spoils it like a smeared or hazy windscreen.
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Lift the wipers and pre-clean with water and a soft cloth to remove surface grime.
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Use an alcohol-based glass cleaner and apply with a microfibre cloth using long, smooth strokes.
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Buff dry to prevent streaks and don’t forget to clean the inside of the windows too.
Wheels
Your wheels bear the brunt of road dirt and brake dust, and they’re often the dirtiest part of your car.
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For the face of the wheel, a soft sponge and soapy water work well to remove the top surface of dirt and grime.
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A dedicated wheel brush with stiff bristles is essential for reaching tight corners, crevices, and the intricate details of your wheel design. If you don’t have a wheel brush, opt for a small sponge or even an old toothbrush to get into those tight corners.
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Once clean, rinse the soap and dirt off with clean water and dry with a cloth to avoid water marks.
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If you want to go the extra mile, you can even clean your tires. Use a tire brush and tire cleaner for optimal results.
Cleaning the Inside of Your Car
Air Vents
Air vents are often overlooked, but they collect dust and dirt that can be blown straight into your face when the air con is on, making the rest of your interior dusty and dirty.
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If you don't have any specific tools to clean your air vents, use a soft paintbrush dipped in a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water to gently clean inside the vents.
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Be careful not to overdo it with liquid – a light touch is all you need.
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Finish with a microfibre cloth to dry and remove any loosened debris.
Floor Mats
Floor mats endure significant wear and tear throughout the year, accumulating dirt, debris, and stains from foot traffic and the elements. This is particularly true during wet and muddy months, when moisture and grime are constantly tracked into the vehicle.
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Remove them and give them a thorough vacuum with a high-suction vacuum cleaner. For extra manoeuvrability around your car, opt for a handheld vacuum cleaner so you can spend less time faffing with wires and finding a close enough plug socket and more time cleaning!
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For deep cleaning, use hot soapy water and a stiff brush, or make life easier with a carpet cleaner to help remove those stubborn stains for good.
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Make sure to vacuum the footwell before putting the floor mats back in when they are completely dry.
Seats
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For fabric seats, use a vacuum to get into every nook and cranny. For deeper, more stubborn stains, use an upholstery cleaner.
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For leather seats, gently scrub with a leather cleaning solution and soft brush, then wipe with a microfibre cloth. Be gentle to avoid damaging the surface.
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For pet owners, dog hairs and other pet stains can be difficult to remove without the right vacuum. Ensure you use a pet vacuum cleaner or a pet attachment, most pet vacuums are designed with anti-hairwrap technology to stop hair wrapping around the barrel and prolong the life of your vacuum cleaner.
Other Spring Cleaning Essentials
Spring cleaning your car isn't just about making it look nice – it's the perfect opportunity to take care of some important maintenance tasks and ensure your car is running smoothly and safely:
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Top up your oil and fluid levels: Check and top up your engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and windshield washer fluid.
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Check tyres and tyre pressure: Inspect your tyres for wear and tear, and ensure they're inflated to the correct pressure. Don't forget to check your spare tyre as well!
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Replace wiper blades: If your wiper blades are streaking or worn, replace them to ensure good visibility in rainy weather.
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Declutter and clean: Remove any trash, empty bottles, or unnecessary items from your car (particularly in the boot and side door panels.
Remember, regular maintenance can help prevent costly repairs and keep your car running safely for years to come. If you're not comfortable performing any of these tasks yourself, take your car to a qualified mechanic for a spring tune-up.
Ready to Refresh Your Ride?
A clean car not only looks better – it feels better to drive. And with the right equipment, it’s easier than ever to give your vehicle the deep clean it needs. At Direct Vacuums, we stock a wide range of refurbished vacuums, carpet cleaners, and jet washers to help you tackle even the toughest jobs – all at unbeatable prices.
Car Cleaning Essentials from Direct Vacuums
Vytronix 1800W Pressure Washer Powerful High Performance Jet Wash For Car Patio
Our Price: £69.99
- Impressive cleaning power and overall performance.
- 135bar maximum pressure.
- 480 litres per hour water flow rate.
- Suitable for cleaning cars, bikes, bins, patios, walls, fences, barbeques, and garden furniture.
- Effectively removes stubborn dirt and grime from outdoor surfaces.
- Compact design for easy storage.
- Handy tool storage system.
- Includes a 5m power cord and 6m pressure hose.
- Comes with accessories: jet nozzle, turbo nozzle, detergent/solution nozzle, and scrubbing brush head.
Tower T513004BLG VL40 22.2v 3-in-1 Cordless Stick Upright Vacuum Cleaner Pro Pet
Our Price: £91.99 RRP: £199.99 (Save £108.00)
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3-IN-1 CORDLESS VACUUM: Use as a cordless vacuum for carpets and hard floors, a detachable handheld for cars, stairs and upholstery or extend the pole for higher hard-to-reach areas like ceilings and curtains
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22.2V LI-ION RECHARGEABLE BATTERY: Powerful built-in rechargeable battery delivers 35 minutes of continuous run time from a single 4 hour charge for hassle-free cleaning
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DETACHABLE HANDHELD: Transforms into a handheld vacuum that is perfect for staircases, cars, upholstery and pet hair, with included crevice and brush tool for effective cleaning of difficult-to-reach areas
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POWERFUL CYCLONIC SUCTION: The cyclonic suction provides consistent airflow, effortlessly sucking up and breaking down dirt from all floor types for a thorough clean
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TURBO PET & UPHOLSTERY BRUSH: Effortlessly picks up deeply embedded pet hair so you get a more efficient and deeper clean around the home
Vax Spotwash Duo Spot Carpet Cleaner
Our price: £59.99 RRP: £139.99 (Save £80.00)
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Versatile and effective spot carpet cleaner – Quickly, easily and conveniently lifts spills and stains combining powerful suction with deep cleaning.
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Multi-Surface cleaning – Suitable for use across carpet, upholstery, stairs, car interiors and sealed hard floors.
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Avoid cross-contamination with separate tools – No longer do you have to use the same tool for both everyday cleaning and unhygienic pet messes. The Spotwash Duo features two separate tools that enable you to keep one set messy and the other set clean and hygienic.
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Antimicrobial protection – Antimicrobial-treated bristles help prevent the growth of bacteria between uses for a hygienic clean time after time.
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Self-clean function – The self-clean function efficiently flushes the hose clean after use to help remove dirt and debris.
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Portable & Compact – Conveniently refresh your car interior and boot without having to get a valet.
Hoover HF122RPT H-Free 100 22V Pet Cordless Upright Stick Vacuum Cleaner
Our price: £69.99 RRP: £129.99 (Save £60.00)
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Includes a motorised pet's turbo brush, with powerful rotating bristles to loosen and lift embedded cat or dog hairs from your upholstery.
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Bagless, with an easy-empty bin.
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When the dust reaches the MAX level, simply push the button and the flap will open, for quick and hassle-free disposal.
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Lightweight and versatile, H-FREE 100 can be used on carpets and hard floors, or converted into a handheld for your stairs or inside your car.
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Essential tools are stored neatly onboard, ready to use at any moment. The dusting brush is ideal for worktops and ornaments, whilst the mini crevice tool helps clean narrow corners or edges.
