Why You Should Keep Your Car Clean

Environmental factors, including rain, bird droppings and salt water can all damage your car. Same can be said of mud, tar and long exposure to the sun. If you want to preserve the look (and value) of your car, one good thing you can do is to keep your car clean. This will prevent chemicals and deposits from damaging the surface paint or leaking into the engine or interior, causing even greater damage.

Here are some basic tips to follow:

Wash your car often in winter. The salt used to clear streets of snow can corrode the paint and affect the mechanics of your car. If you live in an area where snow is frequent and winter long, you may want to invest on a finish protectant to keep the paint intact.
Repair minor scratches as soon as they appear to prevent further damage. You may be able to do this at home with special cream products and a cleaning cloth or you may need the help of a car detailer to help you buff off the damage.
Use cleaning sprays and a rayon cloth to keep the tires and rims in top condition. Dirt and mud can lead to rust.
Keeping wiper blades clean can prevent scratches on the glass and increase visibility (thus preventing accidents). Avoid hard materials when wiping the glass and wipers. Instead, choose a glass cleaner and a soft cleaning cloth (much better than paper towels).
Apply wax to your car only after it has been thoroughly cleaned and dried. Otherwise, the wax and the sponge used can cause scratches by scrubbing dirt into the paint.
The dashboard and seats should also be cleaned frequently to prevent dust from affecting the instruments and stains from damaging the covers.

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