When was the last time you got into your car and took note of the musty air, dirt buildup in the carpet, and the forgotten candy wrapper left in the back seat?
Now that the weather is turning warmer, you are probably ready to transition your wardrobe and your mindset for the spring and summer months ahead. One thing that you might not have thought about, however, is preparing your car. Subjected to winter’s harshest conditions, salted roads, and potholes, the car deserves as much attention and care as anything else you own. To help keep it looking new, it is a good idea to do a little bit of spring cleaning once the cold weather has ended.
Vacuum it Out
No matter how careful you might have been, there’s a good chance you brought in plenty of salt and grime into your vehicle on your shoes. Shake out and power-wash the floor mats and give the carpets and seats a thorough vacuuming, starting from the top and working your way to the bottom.
Clean the Undercarriage
The bottom of the car needs an equal amount of attention, too. Prolonged exposure to snow, ice and road salt can lead to rusting and a whole host of problems, so it is a good idea to give that area a thorough rinse with fresh water to get rid of the remnants of winter.
Swap Out Tires
If you have snow tires or snow chains on your vehicle, now is the time to take them off and use an all-terrain tire. Leaving snow tires on the car for too long can lead to excessive wear, so as soon as the snow is gone, swap them out.
Clean the Windows
Winter weather has a tendency to make visibility issues worse. If your windows tend to fog up during cool damp weather, you can partly blame that on the buildup of dirt on the interior side. Take the time to clean the windows thoroughly with a good window cleaner.
Swap Out Windshield Wipers
Windshield wipers get used a lot during the winter months. To ensure that you can see well during the upcoming springtime showers, swap out torn windshield wiper blades and replace them immediately.
Bag the Trash
If junk has found a home in your car throughout the winter months, imagine how much more will accumulate if you do not take the time to throw them out now. Grab a plastic bag and throw out anything that should not belong in the car.
Clear the Trunk
The bags of kitty litter and sand you have been storing in the trunk throughout winter in case the car was slipping and sliding in the ice should be taken out to free up trunk space for all the beach gear and golf clubs you will need space for very soon.
Now that you have taken the first step towards a cleaner car, take a step further by replacing the windshield wiper fluid, checking tire pressure and tread wear, changing out the motor oil, greasing the door hinges, replacing the old air filter, and topping it all off with a run through the car wash.
Doing a little bit of spring cleaning can help get your car in prime condition for the warmer months ahead. If you would rather focus on enjoying the nicer weather than to spend the weekends removing winter grime from carpeted floor mats, then delegate all your time-consuming car maintenance needs to a professional.
Images credit: Mateusz Stachowski
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