Spring - Car Cleaning
At Serra Honda Grandville, we want to help make it easy for you to take care of your vehicle in order to extend its life and help it run like new for years to come. One simple way to take care of your vehicle that may not always be top-of-mind is keeping it clean! Spring is the perfect time of year to really clean your car on the inside and out so you can remove all of the winter grime and be ready for warmer weather to come. First off, cleaning the interior is important since having clutter around your vehicle can hinder your ability to act fast in an emergency situation. Cleaning your car's exterior is also just as important in order to keep the paint looking great and the exposed components in top shape. Below you can explore some of our spring cleaning tips for your car's exterior, interior, and specifically, how to get that nasty winter salt out of your vehicle's carpet.
Spring Cleaning Tips & Tricks for Your Car's Exterior
Not only does a good car wash make your vehicle look attractive, but it also keeps your car healthy. Over time, dirt, gravel, salt, and grime can build up on the exterior of your vehicle and can erode your car's paint and undercarriage, which can ultimately lead to rust and component exposure. A car wash is a simple way to prevent that irreversible damage and can be completed by quickly running through a car wash establishment or at home with some basic supplies and water. If you're about to suds up, consider these spring cleaning tips and tricks for your car's exterior to achieve the best clean possible:
- Use specialized car cleaner soap. Dish detergent is much too abrasive for your vehicle's paint.
- Microfiber rags, soft sponges, and soft brushes will do just fine. Avoid magic-eraser type sponges because they're also too abrasive.
- Use dryer sheets to get those nasty bugs off your grille and hood.
- Removing tree sap from your car is done best by using very hot water and a soapy microfiber rag.
- Make sure to fully rinse your car and bucket before and after. Try your best to rinse the undercarriage as well.
- Rinse your tools well, and switch out the bucket water frequently to avoid washing with old grit.
- Rinse and wash one side at a time so you can rinse before the soap dries.
- Don't skip the wax! It may seem tedious, but it's worth the paint protection it provides, helping to keep dirt and grime from scratching your vehicle, while also providing UV ray protection.
Spring Car Cleaning Tips for Your Vehicle's Interior
Depending on the state of your car coming out of the winter season, cleaning the interior of your vehicle can seem a little intimidating, but it doesn't have to be! Before you hit the road for spring travels, use these spring car cleaning tips to help thoroughly clean the interior of your vehicle. By removing the dust off your dash, the crumbs off your seats, and the garbage out of your car, you'll feel refreshed behind the wheel! As previously mentioned, a clean interior can also be important in an emergency situation where you need to act fast without distraction. We ultimately want to make sure you to stay safe when you hit the road, but we also want to help you care for your vehicle throughout your ownership. Check out the following vehicle spring cleaning tips for your car's interior to make sure you're ready for the new season!
- Start by gathering all your garbage and recyclables, and then disposing or recycling them appropriately. This will immediately help to clear clutter.
- Decide which items you really need in your car for the upcoming season, and clear out the rest. Alternatively, if you have lots of items you want to keep in your car, organize them by grouping like items in bins to fit your space.
- Use coffee filters to dust your dash and plastic surfaces. Using a coffee filter or microfiber rag helps to gather dust while leaving no fibers behind.
- Wash the inside of your windows to get rid of any unsightly streaks. Use a vinegar-based solution with a semi-wet microfiber rag to wash the windows, then use a clean dry rag for a streak-free shine.
- Take your rugs out and shake to release any loose dirt or crumbs, then vacuum both your seats and carpet.
- Roll your windows down and let your car air out, weather permitting. Or, take it up a notch and throw in an air freshener in your choice of scent.
How to Get the Salt Out of Your Vehicle's Carpets
One of the worst parts about winter is all the salt that comes with it. Even if you're careful to clean your shoes before getting in your car, that pesky rock salt still seems to make its way into your car mats and carpet throughout the winter season. To prevent the damage winter salt can cause, we recommend investing in plastic winter mats. If you do currently have plastic mats, a simple rinse of the mats should do the job to rid the salt. However, if you don't have plastic mats, or if you notice that salt still made its way onto your carpet, here is an easy step-by-step tutorial on how to get the salt out of your car's carpets:
- Grab an empty spray bottle and fill with a 50/50 water and vinegar solution.
- Spray the solution on the salt spots, enough to slightly wet the carpet, and let sit for a minute or so.
- Use a clean dry rag to dab the wetted salt spots. Don't wipe, or press too hard. The goal is to have the dry rag absorb the stain that comes up.
- If the rag is wet and the stain remains, use a dry portion of the rag or grab another dry one and continue to repeat the process.
- Once the spot is dry, you're done! Your stain should be gone. If the stain remains, repeat steps 2-4.
Schedule Your Seasonal Maintenance Appointment at Serra Honda Grandville
Taking care of your car can be easy if you stick to a schedule of routine maintenance, and it's easy to do so if you think about it in terms of the different seasons. Oil changes, tire rotations, brake checks, fluid inspections, and even car washes and car cleaning is all part of seasonal routine maintenance that'll keep your car running and looking its best for years to come. At Serra Honda Grandville we want to make routine maintenance easy for you, so feel free to explore our routine maintenance pages and service FAQs to better understand the needs of your vehicle. For your convenience, you can schedule a service appointment online, or visit our Express Service Lane where we can complete services in 90 minutes or less while you wait in our warm and entertaining customer lounge. We're proud to serve Grandville and our neighbors in Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Wyoming, Byron Center, Hudsonville, Holland, and all of West Michigan. Come visit us at 4260 Kenowa Ave. SW, Grandville, MI 49418 or give us a call at 616-580-1826.
