Car cleaning is something many of us seem to neglect. Today, it seems people practically live out of their cars, and have a clean car is almost impossible. You want to clean your car, but somehow life always seems to get in the way. You seem to always promise yourself that you will get it done next weekend, but as we all know it turns into a month or two… sometimes longer. As you will see, this can become a deadly habit!
Before you can get your car more organized, you will need to get in there and do the dirty work first. This means taking everything out of the car; remove all of the items from the glove box, console, under the seats (yes even that old candy bar from 6 mo ago) and the trunk. Then be sure to give your car a well needed vacuuming and wipe it down with car cleaning products such as Armour All.
Now go back to your items and sort through them. Discard the obvious trash and only put the items back in the car that are necessary. You will want to keep such necessary items as the car manual, a flashlight, and maps in the glove compartment. Other essential items such as a jack, jumper cables and a first aid kit should be stored in the trunk.
We all love our change and music, so I suggest buying something to organize both in your car. Also, you don’t need to have 25 CDs in your car at any one time. Stick with a half dozen or so and switch up when you get bored.
Be sure that there are never any loose items lying around in your car. When all items are put back in, you will want to ensure they are secured as well as possible. Loose items in your car can become dangerous projectiles in the even of a crash and can be very lethal.
The key to keeping your car clean is diligence. Always remove garbage from the car when you exit it and be sure your passengers do as well. Make it a rule for both you and family members. Be sure to emphasize how a clean car is a safe car, and make it a habit forming exercise for everyone.
Mobile car detailing is a great new service that has started to pick up steam over the last decade or so. In a nutshell, the mobile auto detailing service comes to you and cleans your car on the spot. This is why it has become so popular, because if you pick the right detailer it can be hassle free and a truly enjoyable experience.
A mobile car detail service brings along a trailer or some other form of water pump, and almost everything else needed to detail your car. As with any other detailer, you want to make sure that the service has insurance to cover any damages to your car, and if they use high quality materials to both wash and scrub your car.
Since this kind of service is also so new, there aren’t as many regulations on these services as of yet. Some cities are starting to adopt ordinances that prevent the use of products that will run off into storm drains and pollute rivers, streams, creeks etc.
These cities require all mobile detailers to have a permit. So be sure to check and make sure if this is a required ordinance in your city or not, and if the service provider has a permit.
The best way to find a mobile car detailing service is though an online local search. You will want to find one that has been established for awhile and to look for customer testimonials.
A good service will wash and wax your car, clean the interior and exterior, including tires and rims, and some offer extended services such as engine detailing. You can expect to pay anywhere from $100 on up for these services, depending on the work you want done and the size of your vehicle.
Car detailing prices can range from extreme to quite affordable, but this of course depends on what you want to have done and the detailer you choose to do your car/truck. Also keep in mind that the more expensive detailer may not always do a better job, so it is a good idea to get references from friends and family.
When considering auto detailing prices, you need to take into account several factors which include:
Insurance
The first thing you will want to ask, is if the detailer has insurance. If you are going to someone who is running a detailing shop in their garage, you may save money, but if your car is damaged, then you will have a devil of a time collecting damages in small claims court. This is why I always recommend going with an established detailer who has a commercial business with insurance. It is worth the extra money you may have to pay for peace of mind, believe me.
Size of the vehicle
Most regular detailing packages include a wash and wax, interior vacuuming, cleaning and polishing the tires and rims and interior cleaning such as the seats and dashboard. Most detailers will charge between $50-65 for this package. If you own a truck, van, SUV or a bigger vehicle, you may be looking in the ballpark of $90 or more.
Coupons and special offers
It isn’t hard to find coupons from detailers trying to drum up business. Check in your local Pennysaver, Thrifty Nickel, or Yellow Book. Be sure to ask to get on the detailer’s mailing list so you can stay up to date with their special offers. This is how I save a bundle over the course of a year.
As I mentioned earlier, you may be able to find a car detailing price cheap, but be sure to find out why it is much cheaper than competitors prices. You may find there is a reason why you want to avoid this detailer at all costs!
Car wash products can be worth every penny, while others are good for selling in your next garage sale. We all know how it goes – sometimes when you are browsing in the auto department, you see a few must have car washing products that look great. Then you get home and try out your new toy, only to find out it is about as worthless as a $3 bill – right? Been there done that!
To help save you the money and embarrassment of getting another product that doesn’t do what it promises, we have a few suggestions that not only get the job done, but make cleaning your car fun again. Here are a few good car wash products:
California Car Duster – this little number has earned its reputation the hard way – by doing what it promises! You simply use the lightweight duster to clean off dirt and grime from your car. The duster head won’t scratch your paint job and it seems like the more you use it, the better it works. It does a great job of trapping dirt and not just pushing it.
Mothers Wheel Brush – this is a great brush for cleaning your wheels. If they are really dirty, then this isn’t the tool for the job, but it is great for maintenance cleanings. It has a nice ergonomic handle that protects your hands from the dirt that kicks up as you are cleaning. It also has protective rubber so you won’t scratch your rims. Great little tool!
HomeRight Auto Wash Stick – here is a great tool for washing the hard to reach places on your car, such as the roof and the door panels (if you are lazy like me and hate bending over). The wash stick can be extended to 4 feet and it holds the soap inside so you don’t have to keep dipping in the dirty buckets.
Washing your car can be a pain in the rear end, especially if you wash your car once a week like I do in the warmer months. Which is why any tool you can find that makes the job a little bit easier and it actually works, is worth it’s weight in gold.
Car wash soap is an often overlooked, but essential tool for giving your car that hot “out of the show room” look. There are many generic and brand name products that are on the market, but not all of them are created equally. Some car washing soap don’t do what they are suppose to, and other brands actually leave a sticky film that dulls the finish. Either result isn’t very desirable.
We have come across several brands that we always seem to keep going back to because they are both reliable and the price is always reasonable as well. If you want the best bang for your buck that will keep your car looking sharp, here are our top picks:
Mothers California Gold Car Wash – this is a staple in our family. Mothers soap cleans your car extremely well and never dulls the paint or harms any prior wax jobs. The more you use this on your car, the better it seems to work, from our experience. A definite thumbs up!
3M Car Wash Soap – this has been a staple in detailer shops for years and with good reason – it does a fantastic job on almost any finish. It easily removes most dirt without much elbow grease, and like all good car soap, it doesn’t harm the paint. Easily one of our all time favorites.
Poorboys Car Wash Soap – if you are concerned about using natural products on your car, then Poorboys is for you. Their products are non-toxic and also biodegradable so they are safe for your car, you and the environment. This soap offers up a great shine and is only marginally more expensive than most brands.
You really can’t go wrong, no matter which of the three soaps you choose from above. All will give your car a sleek shine that will make your neighbors glare with envy at your hot ride!
