When you’re on a tight budget, having someone else detail your car isn’t really an option but that doesn’t mean your car has to suffer. You can wash your car on a budget yourself; you don’t actually need the pricey, name brand tools and chemicals. You just have to know how to identify the right, safe products.
With this guide, you’ll learn how to wash your car effectively on a budget without doing any damage.
Why you should care
Why does any of this matter; what’s so bad about washing your car with any product? Your vehicle is a large investment; you want to take care of it, both so it’ll last as long as you need it to and so that you’ll get the best resale value possible. Believe it or not, what you wash your vehicle with and how you wash it affects the longevity of the vehicle.
If you’re on a budget, your vehicle shouldn’t have to suffer. If you take the time to do your research and follow this guide, you can preserve the quality and longevity of your vehicle without breaking the bank
The soap
First off, let’s start with a pro tip: never ever use dish soap like Dawn on your vehicle. For a cheaper solution, the ingredients for which are likely already somewhere in your home, mix some hair conditioner with clean water. This solution is a cost-effective way to get a nice shiny finish on your vehicle that repels water and looks as if you just got fresh was. For even better results, opt for a condition that contains lanolin.
Getting out tough stains
Have you ever tried removing bird droppings, tree sap, or dried bugs from the surface of your vehicle? It’s incredibly difficult when you’re not trained to the point of seeming impossible! You can buy the high-end products or pay professionals to handle it, but if you’re on a budget, that simply isn’t an option.
You can use WD-40 to help scrub off the stuck-on debris. If you need it to be even more cost-effective, try rubbing peanut butter or a stick of shortening on the spot instead to loosen it up.
Cleaning the windows
When cleaning your windows on a budget, you have to make sure you’re not settling for a product that will harm the glass. Always use a glass cleaner like Windex and never use paper towels. Using another cleaner and/or paper towels will leave streaks, smudges, and may even scratch your windows and windshields.
Your car shouldn’t have to suffer just because you’re on a budget. These tips will help you keep your car washed and clean no matter how tight your budget is.
I always have our car washed in a shop before until I decided to invest in my own car pressure washer. Saved me a lot of time, money and at the same time enjoyed cleaning our car with my son.