Top 10 Unusual Car-Washing Tips
Everyone loves a nice and shiny car, but you don’t always have the right products at hand to wash it and make it look as new again. Sometimes, you have to be resourceful and think outside the box.
Here are 10 unusual car-washing tips that will come in handy and surprise you with their effectiveness:
10. Linseed oil for bumpers
Dip a cloth in linseed oil when you want to wash your bumpers and give them an extra shine. You can let the oil penetrate the surface for a few minutes before wiping it with a dry cloth. This also works on interior plastics.
9. Baby wipes for a smooth, clean look
Any young family knows how much baby wipes can be useful around the house and on the go. Well, you can also use them for washing car windows and interior plastics. Just keep a pack in your glove box.
8. Vinegar for washing car seats
Mix two cups of white vinegar with one cup of tepid water and two tablespoons of dish soap. Scrub all the stains on your car seats using a sponge and rinse with a wet cloth. It’s quick and surprisingly effective! Start by doing a little test on a less visible section.
7. Makeup remover as dashboard revitalizer
Dust, dirt, finger marks, coffee stains and more can all be eliminated from your dashboard using good old cleansing milk a.k.a. makeup remover. While you’re at it, don’t forget the storage bins.
6. Baking soda for those undesirable smells
Sprinkle some baking soda on your cloth seats and floor mats and allow it to penetrate by gently scrubbing with your hands. After 15 minutes (or an entire night if the smells are that bad), all you have to do is vacuum the surfaces.
5. Rubber gloves for removing dog hair
Hitting the road with your dog can be fun. Removing all the hair they leave behind? Not so much. Here’s an easy solution: put some rubber gloves on and scrub the seats or trunk with a small circular motion.
4. Nylon stockings can be good for car windows
If you fear your cloth might scratch or leave any kind of mark on your car windows, dip it in a mix of water and baking soda before rolling it all the way down a nylon stocking. The result will be impeccable windows and perfect visibility on the road.
3. Sanitary pads to the rescue
No more windshield washer fluid? You can still wash your windshield by scrubbing hard with a sanitary pad (using the non-sticky side, of course). You might want to keep a few ones in the glove box.
2. Cola for washing your windshield
Is this an urban legend or a real car-washing tip? One try should convince you. Place a towel at the bottom of your windshield, and then pour cola on it. The bubbles will act tough on grime. Obviously, you need to rinse the windshield completely afterwards.
1. Toothpaste for polishing headlights
A surprising way to polish your car’s headlights and taillights is to use toothpaste. That’s right! Just make sure it doesn’t contain a whitening agent or hydrogen peroxide. Once again, do small circular motions with a microfiber cloth or even a toothbrush. Wipe the headlights with a dry cloth when you’re finished.