The snow has melted, and the birds are chirping—springtime is here! ‘Tis the season of flowers, longer days, and good ol’ spring cleaning. With the sun finally shining, there’s no better time to get outside and wipe away the dirt and sludge your car has been collecting all winter long. Spring cleaning is a great way to reset your environment after the cold winter and show your car some love.
With the salt and sludge on the roads, our cars can become pretty dirty during the colder months of the year. Now that spring is finally here, there are no excuses for keeping your car in any condition other than pristine. Cleaning your car regularly maintains its value and keeps the driver safe. So, if it’s been a minute since you last washed your car, here’s a breakdown of what every driver needs to know about maintaining a clean car.
Cleaning Inside and Out
Whether you wash your car by hand or take it through the car wash, cleaning your car every two weeks to a month protects the paint and prevents rust that may build due to the salt and damaging debris left from winter driving. As you’re cleaning the outside, don’t forget about the windshield. A smudged windshield is hazardous and can lead to accidents. Keeping your car stocked with wipes and cleaning both the inside and outside of the windshield prevents dust and debris from building up, leaving you with optimal visibility.
Now that your car is squeaky clean from the outside, it’s important the interior follows suit. Keeping the inside of your car can be a little trickier. There will be times when it rains, and you track mud all over the floor of your car or spill a sticky soda in the backseat. We all know life gets messy, so keeping your car equipped with the tools to handle these messes is key to preventing a dirty car. Keeping a trash can in your car is a simple but easy solution to trash piling up on the floor. Stocking your car with items such as a car vacuum, car cleaning gel, and cup holder coasters makes clean-up that much easier. Cleaning the inside of your car maintains hygiene by preventing germs and mysterious odors. It also helps maintain the interior quality of the car, extending its life on the road.
Utilizing products like Armor All Spray and Armor All Wipes work for both the interior and exterior, keeping your car in prime condition. A clean car maintains its quality but also helps keep you safe.
Organization Is Key
An essential tool in maintaining a clean car is organization. Keeping your car organized minimizes mess and allows easy access to important documents like the car manual and registration. These items should be kept in your glove box, along with insurance information and emergency items, like a first aid kit and emergency contact phone numbers. If you need a little help with car organization, invest in a trunk organizer or a front seat organizer to keep everything from your emergency kit to roadside tools in its proper place.
Be Mindful with Decorations
Personalizing your car is part of the fun and a great way to express your personality, but remember that your decor may disclose information about your identity and can even obstruct your view. Don’t hang anything on your rearview mirror that could reduce visibility and cause an accident. Be sure to keep your dashboard clear of any items that may slide around, which can also cause distractions while driving. When thinking about decor, choose subtle and functional decor that doesn’t compromise the driving experience or your safety.
Learn How To Drive Safer with Driver Ed Safety
These tips only scratch the surface of being a responsible and safe driver. Driver Ed Safety offers an Online Course and Behind The Wheel lessons, teaching students how to develop defensive driving and behavior patterns to stay safe on the road. Get started today!
