Exterior and interior car cleaning tips: Do’s and Don’ts explained

A car that hasn't been cleaned is not only a visual deterrent, it also increases drag and thus reduces overall efficiency. This happens because the air flowing over (or around) the vehicle’s body gets disrupted by small particles and becomes turbulent. An unkempt interior, too, looks bad and can cause distractions while driving. Cleaning your car might be one of the most obvious aspects of vehicle ownership, but doing so without adequate preparation and the right gear can cause more harm than good. 

Do not use unsuitable cleaning tools

Swirl marks can be left behind on metal, glass or even plastic surfaces.

Fabrics used for human clothing can leave behind swirl marks and lint quite easily if used to wipe a car clean. They can also drag particles across the surface, leading to micro scratches on the paint and the glass. Steer clear of rags or dirty clothes for similar reasons. Similarly, a microfiber cloth used to clean the wheels shouldn’t be reused on painted body panels, as this can introduce more abrasive particles from lower down in the vehicle and cause scratches and swirl marks. Using the wrong type of brush can prematurely wear soft-touch materials, leading to scuffs, scratches and micro-tears.

Use dedicated tools for different areas

Pick the right cloth for the surface you need to clean, and not reuse it for other areas.

Whether it is cloths, brushes or any other cleaning tools, ensure they’re separated based on the spot they cleaned. This will keep the risk of cross-contamination at bay, thereby avoiding dirtying the surfaces that have already been cleaned – be it metal body panels, glass, exterior plastic trim, and interior plastic & soft-touch trim.

Avoid unsuitable cleaning products

Using household detergents to clean the exterior of your car can erode the protective coating applied over the paint. Furthermore, repeated exposure to such harsh detergents can degrade the plastic trim and tyres over time. Using kitchen or bathroom cleaners can damage cabin areas made out of or covered in soft-touch plastics, leatherette or leather upholsteries, and metallic or chrome garnishes, as these cleaners often contain harsh chemicals.

Pick the right cleaner for the job

Always use dedicated cleaning solutions for your car.

Always pick a dedicated car shampoo, which is formulated to get rid of grime and muck without damaging your car’s paintwork, protective coating, or other exterior features that may include chrome or metallic trim. Moving inside, choose solutions that are specifically meant to be used on your car’s interior. It’s also recommended to use different cleaners for the seats, dashboard, digital displays and glass surfaces.

Improper washing techniques

Letting water dry slowly can leave behind streaks and blotches.

Exposure to direct sunlight can quickly evaporate water droplets and residual foam from the surface after a thorough wash. This can leave behind tell-tale signs like streaks and blotches, requiring another round of cleaning. Deploying a pressure washer in close proximity to a car can damage its exterior finish, rubber seals and plastic body panels. Modern cars are also fitted with various sensors and electronic equipment, and forcing water into these sensitive areas under high pressure can lead to malfunctions in one or more of the vehicle’s systems.

Using excessive water to clean the seats can trap moisture underneath them, leading to mould formation and foul smell.

Using excessive amounts of water to clean the seats and floor mats can soak the foam padding underneath, resulting in moisture accumulation, mould formation and unpleasant odours. It can also damage electrical wiring, potentially causing powered-seat mechanisms and seat ventilation, heating and massage functions to malfunction.

Wash the car correctly

Salts and minerals in hard water can leave behind white spots once the water dries up.

Rinsing your car thoroughly before washing it with shampoo gets rid of dust and other small contaminants. However, avoid hard water (borewell water, for example) as it often contains salts and minerals, which can leave behind residue once the water dries. This is where the ‘two-bucket method’ comes in, wherein one bucket contains clean water and the other contains the shampoo solution. Following this method will help prevent dirt and grime from being reintroduced onto the vehicle during the washing process.

Always begin your car wash from the top and work your way down.

Regardless, start washing from the roof and work your way down to prevent transferring grime from lower sections onto cleaner surfaces. If you must use a pressure washer, avoid hitting sensors and other sensitive components. Upon completion, dry your car with clean microfiber cloths.

Do not ignore contaminants

Never ignore bird droppings or bug splatters. These can damage the car's paint or clear coat.

It’s common to find cars splattered with dead bugs or covered in bird droppings. Seemingly harmless at first, these contain organic matter and enzymes that can damage the paint or clear coat if left unattended. In case of bird droppings, concentrated levels of uric acid can leave permanent marks if they’re not removed soon.

Remove contaminants quickly

Bird droppings, splattered bugs, stray vegetation and other foreign contaminants should be removed as soon as possible. Being prompt with this will help you keep your car’s paint and clear coat from staining or etching, keeping them in good form for a longer period.

Avoid damaging sensitive cabin trim

Most modern cars come with multiple screens, with digital multi-information displays (MIDs), or a digital instrument clusters and infotainment touchscreens being common. Spraying cleaning products directly onto them can wear down the touch-sensitive areas and damage the electronic components behind the screens if excess liquid makes it past the small gaps around them. Soft-touch cabin trim can also experience premature wear if subjected to the wrong tool or cleaning solution.

Use the correct cleaning method

Always use a dedicated microfiber cloth to clean your car's displays.

Depending on the interior surface in question, you may have to use different types of cleaning tools. For example, certain plastic cabin trim will require the use of a soft brush to get rid of stuck dirt. On the other hand, keep microfiber cloths on hand to wipe clean the touchscreen and the panel for the gauge cluster. However, apply cleaning products to a microfiber cloth rather than directly onto displays.

Do not ignore hidden areas

Do not ignore hidden areas of your car as these can gather vegetation and dirt over time.

While visible body panels and interior surfaces receive most of the attention, dirt, moisture and debris often accumulate in less obvious locations such as in and around the doors, bumpers, wheel arches, floor mats and carpets. Neglecting these areas can lead to grime build-up, along with unpleasant odours and premature material deterioration.

Clean hidden areas regularly

Nooks and crannies need to be cleaned periodically, too.

Once you’re done cleaning the major portions of your car, move on to some of the nooks and crannies. Areas like the door hinges, door sills and door handles can accumulate dirt quite easily. Similarly, recesses for the fuel-filler or charging port door, rear spoiler (if equipped) and rain gutters (if visible) become dirty over time. Stray vegetation and debris can also make their way under the bonnet. Then there are nooks and crannies around the tyres, mudflaps and bumpers – these need to be cleaned regularly too.