Keeping your vehicle clean is the least enjoyable and glamorous part of owning a car.
However, it is an important part of being a responsible car owner since keeping your vehicle clean ensures all components function properly as originally intended. As a result, you’ll have a safer, smooth ride that you can drive anytime and anywhere.
Having a tidy car also makes it easier for you and the mechanics to inspect all parts closely and without any potential problems being obscured by filth.
Additionally, cleaning your car regularly allows you to prevent the build-up of dirt and grime that can interfere with your vehicle’s operation. The accumulation of filth can also cause water to be trapped in certain components, which can lead to corrosion and more problems for your automobile.
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The Downside of DIY Car Cleaning
Unfortunately, no matter how hard and often you rub, scrub, scour, spray, and splash, chances are, you’re still missing some crucial corners of your vehicle whenever you clean it.
These are the parts and areas that you may forget to go over during cleaning day or simply don’t have time to do so. Some parts and areas may also be beyond your reach and expertise so keeping them spotless may be impossible.
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For instance, washing your engine can be tricky. When you go the DIY approach without any experience, you might end up splashing water on wires, sensors, and other sensitive engine components, which can cause them to malfunction.
Cleaning your engine can cause some problems as well. If your car oil filter or oil drain plug is hard to reach, it is best to leave the cleaning to the professionals.
By letting experts change the oil in Dubai, you ensure this key part of your engine is protected from wear and tear, corrosion, overheating, and the damaging effects of dirt and debris build-up.
Auto Parts You May Not be Cleaning Enough
Aside from the engine, here are the other parts you should clean more often to have a well-performing, safe car:
1. Cupholders
These accessories, which hold your cups of hot and cold beverages and prevent spills, are often overlooked during cleaning day.
Spilled coffee and soda, food crumbs, dirt, and dust build-up quickly in cup holders. These can become breeding grounds for germs and bacteria if you don’t clean them frequently.
Cleaning these accessories on the spot when you spill your beverage or use them as emergency trash bins for crumbs prevents them from accumulating filth, germs, and bacteria. It also makes tidying them up every week easier.
For more thorough cleaning, spray cup holders with an off-the-shelf car interior cleaner. If they are removable, clean them with soap and water and wipe them dry with a microfibre cloth.
2. Door pockets
Door pockets are fixtures often overlooked during car cleaning. And like cup holders, they can accumulate plenty of dust, debris, germs, and bacteria when you ignore them.
As such, when vacuuming your vehicle, vacuum the door pockets as well. Additionally, spray them with trim-safe disinfectant or protectant and use a microfibre towel to wipe them dry.
It is also best to remove any rubbish in the door holders as soon as possible.
3. Headliner
The headliner is the fabric that covers the ceiling of a vehicle provides insulation and hides the bare metal, wiring, and other hardware found in this area.
Although the headliner may not get as grimy as the floor mats, they can get dirty too. When this happens, you can use an upholstery cleaner and a car detailing brush to clean it.
The upside to cleaning the headliner is that it is easy to access, which means you won’t have difficulty giving it a thorough wipe down.
4. Dashboard
With its numerous knobs and buttons, the dashboard can quickly collect dirt and dust. These features also make cleaning it tricky.
However, you don’t want a grimy and dusty dashboard, so you need to tidy it up regularly.
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For a thorough cleanup, use a damp rag to wipe the bigger surfaces and a small paintbrush or toothbrush to get into hard-to-reach areas.
If you want to get rid of dirt stuck in small spaces, use a flathead screwdriver to remove the debris carefully, and then wipe the area with a rag.
5. Sun visors
The sun visor, also known as the windscreen, is a car accessory found above the windshield. It is designed with a hinged flap so that you adjust it to shade your eyes and front-seat passenger from the glare of the sun.
Although you may use these accessories every day, you may forget to clean them regularly, which means they may get covered with fingerprints and dust over time.
As such, give your sun visors a thorough wipe down whenever you clean your car.
Also, don’t forget to wipe the mirrors when cleaning them.
6. Vents
The vents of your car are other overlooked spots since they are tricky to clean. However, you have to ensure they are dirt- and debris-free if you want clean and healthy air circulating inside your vehicle.
To clean the vents, spray a small paintbrush with furniture polish and use this to get in between the outlets.
The furniture polish-covered brush will grab most of the dust particles stuck in the vent.
Your car will also smell great whenever you do this.
7. Door jambs
The door jamb is the automotive part where the door attaches to the frame of the vehicle. It works as a seal between the interior and exterior of your car, helping protect it from dirt and dust.
Door jambs often have a layer of grease to help the machine work efficiently and quietly. Unfortunately, this layer of oil can also attract dirt and dust.
Failing to clean the door jambs regularly can make them more susceptible to corrosion and damage. This, in turn, will make it harder for you and the other passengers to open the doors.
To avoid these issues, vacuum the door jambs whenever you clean your car. Also, when taking your vehicle to professionals for deep cleaning, make sure they focus on these parts.
Cleaning these parts regularly is crucial for having a safe, problem-free vehicle.
Having a tidy car will also do wonders for your health since you won’t be exposed to dust, germs, bacteria, and other substances that can make you sick when you stay inside your automobile for long periods.
Because of these reasons, aside from tidying up these car parts yourself, have professionals give it a thorough cleaning regularly.
