Cleaning a car can involve some expensive kit, like shampoo, upholstery cleaner and conditioner, and other liquids. However, with the right ‘ingredients’ at home, your car can be just as clean as using dedicated products. Here are five car cleaning hacks with household items.
Car care tips using household items
Dishwash
Dishwash and water mix can be a powerful degreaser, helping remove grime and a host of things from the paint surface before a wash. This can even help remove bugs from the surface of the car and depending on the dishwash, the right amount of dilution can even help as a shampoo. However, using dishwash as a shampoo for the car is recommended only if the vehicle needs an aggressive wash.
Toothpaste
We’ve heard and seen many using toothpaste on cars for a variety of reasons, including scratch removal. While we wouldn’t recommend using an abrasive on the paint without proper knowledge, we would point towards its use to remove the haze from the headlights. A bit of toothpaste and a good scrub bring back headlight lenses to life, however, this is only a temporary fix.
Vinegar
Now, moving to the interior of the car. The seats (leather or leatherette) can have stains on them, or in certain situations, even mould. The most effective way is to mix equal parts of white vinegar and water, give it a nice spray, and wipe it down. This is an effective method to keep the seats and interior clean.
Coconut oil
Once the upholstery is clean, conditioning them is a must, and coconut oil does wonders. Just apply a bit of oil onto a cloth, gently massage them on the seats and dash (not on fabric) and let it sit for a bit. This rejuvenates the leather and makes your car interior like new.
Corn starch
Clean windows are important and after long trips, the windscreen can have a ton of bugs and stains. To effectively clean glass, mix about 100 grams of corn starch with 1 litre of water, give it a good mix, and spray the glass. Then, using a clean towel, wipe it down. It’s that simple.
