Eco-friendly Ways To Give Your Vehicle A Spring Cleaning

Save water, reduce pollutants and give your vehicle a showroom shine.

Those first days of bright spring illuminate all the harsh realities of winter driving–the whitish road salt slopped up on the undercarriage, windows covered with a thin gray film, dingy brown tires, blackened wheels, an interior that smells like a locker room.

How do you take your vehicle from winter dregs to spring glow?

A post-winter wash and thorough detail can bring back the “wow’ to your ride. Washing off dirt, grime, and road salt not only enhances its appearance but also helps prevent corrosion and rust.

As Earth Day approaches, now is the perfect time to consider our environmental impact and find ways to reduce our carbon footprint. Here are some eco-friendly tips for spring car cleaning:

• Don’t forget to carefully wash the undercarriage. Road salts can also destroy painted surfaces and also the vehicle’s undercarriage. Also, salt builds up in corners of the floor wells and turns into a continuous crystal.
• Keep your wheels and tires pristine. Remove that build up of dark, sticky substance–it can cause pitting and staining. Take the extra care to remove contaminants and protect wheel finishes. Use a brush created specifically for vehicle wheels. Apply a wheel cleaner to help remove stubborn brake dust.
• Clean your matts and all interior surfaces to help avoid mildew and odor.
• Polish your headlights to enhance visibility at night. If your lenses are dull, a good polishing kit can usually do the job.
• Use a glass cleaner to prevent streaking or smearing, both inside and outside.
• Clean and condition leather upholstery with products designed for vehicle leather surfaces. This important step helps protect leather surfaces from spills and also keeps them supple.
• Apply rubber and vinyl protectant to cabin surfaces to prevent sun damage and return your interior to a like-new condition.
• Carry some instant detailers or waterless wash and waxes wherever you travel this spring. According to Jim Dvorak of Southern California-based Mothers Polish, these cleaning alternatives are a great way to clean on the go without the use of water. The products quickly and easily remove sap, bug splats, dust and bird droppings.
• Apply a layer of wax. Winter conditions can strip the wax from painted surfaces. Use a carnauba based wax or, for longer lasting protection, apply a ceramic-based wax.
• Clean under the hood. Wiping down the engine and hoses with a damp cloth makes the area look better and allows heat and air to move around in a cleaner environment.
• Apply a water-repellent product to keep water from sticking to exterior glass surface. Water droplets can cause window spotting if left to dry.

Other helpful spring tips to maintain your vehicle’s shine throughout spring:

• Mindful parking. When parking your car, choose spots wisely to minimize exposure to potential hazards. Opt for shaded areas to protect your car's paint and interior from sun damage, and park away from high-traffic areas to reduce the risk of dings and scratches from other vehicles.
• Protective measures. Shield your car from the elements by investing in protective accessories such as car covers, sunshades, and windshield protectors. These simple additions can help prevent UV damage, bird droppings, and other environmental hazards from harming your car's exterior.
• Use water wisely. Use a bucket of water for washing, and keep the hose off until you need it for rinsing. Consider using a waterless car wash solution, which requires minimal water and can be applied without the need for rinsing.