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An automobile is one of the largest investments someone will ever make in their life, so they tend to choose one that really appeals to them. With that said, most owners want to keep their investment looking like new, but they may not know how to do it. Usually one of two things happen. Either they fork out a bunch of money to pay a professional to do it, or they try to do it themselves and end up damaging something. Luckily for you, we’re here to give you some helpful advice.

When someone drives off a dealer’s lot with their new ride, the interior is practically spotless, but this usually doesn’t last very long. The trick to keeping your car clean is to have the right equipment and supplies. To start, get yourself a bottle of automotive interior cleaner and some microfiber towels. If your interior only has a light layer of dust, window cleaner can do a great job. An air compressor does a great job of loosening dirt and dust that’s buried in carpets, floor mats, and vents. A vacuum cleaner with a selection of attachments can be used to get stubborn dirt that’s accumulated in tight places. Finally, shampooing the floor mats and seats will help remove unseen filth that can lead to smells.

When it comes to washing your car, hand washing is and will always be the best option. If people are going to use a car wash, they should bring their own soap and scrubbing utensils. Never use the automatic car washes with moving brushes. Many people are tempted to use the foam brush in the self-serve bays, but that is a huge mistake. Those brushes are embedded with dirt, rocks, grease, and who knows what else. These contaminants can scratch your paint, especially newer cars with soft clear coats. Once the car has been washed and dried, use a spray wax or quick detailer to add a little shine and protection to the finish.

While wheels may look a lot more durable than paint, they can actually be easily destroyed by using the wrong type of cleaners. A PH-neutral cleaner should be used on the wheels. They offer more cleaning power than water, but it eliminates the possibility of oxidizing or ruining the wheels. When detailing the tires, you should use a separate brush and only apply the cleaner directly to the brush rather than the tires. This ensures that the cleaner gets on the tires and not on the paint.

The last step in detailing your car is clean the window glass. An ammonia-free glass cleaner should be used, and this can be found at any auto-parts store. A microfiber cloth works much better than paper towels to polish the glass to a streak-free shine.

Keeping a car looking like it did the day you drove off the lot is a feat that most owners would like to accomplish. Fortunately, the task is easy if people are willing to put forth a little effort. I hope these tips help you understand what you can do to keep you car looking its best.