This article was originally published on Kueez
Cars get messy, that is just a part of life. Some of the mess comes from long road trips, and sometimes it is just the mess that comes with life, like old takeout containers and dirty sports equipment hanging out in the backseat. Getting a car professionally detailed can cost some big bucks, but luckily there are a few easy hacks when it comes to cleaning cars. Check them out and discover how much money you can save with things you already have lying around your house!
These Big Wheels Will Shine Bright As A Diamond With Bleach
One of the most used areas on a vehicle is the tires. These circular pieces of rubber get you from Point A to Point B, which means they get all sorts of grime built up on them over time. Some people don't mind dirty tires, but with this easy hack, you can have them shining in no time. Grab some bleach, and carefully rub it all over the metal rim, and over the tire.
Use an old rag to wash the grime off of the tire. The bleach should clean everything off, and those rims will be shining in no time, making them look brand new.
Keep Vents Dust Free By Cleaning with a Foam Brush
Foam brushes are excellent little tools when it comes to painting and creating cool designs, but they also have another use. When it comes to cars, the air vents can get full of dust pretty easily. For anyone with allergies, this can lead to a pretty wheezy drive. To keep vents clean, you don't need to vacuum them, but you do need a little foam brush that can be found in most garages.
Grab a foam brush with a peaked tip, and gently slide it between the vent slats. It will grab all of the dust hanging out on the slats, and wipe it off.
Make Headlights Sparkle With The Help Of Some Toothpaste
Just like the body of a vehicle, headlights can get pretty dirty. Once headlights are dirty, they might not emit light as much as cleaner ones. That's why they need a quick scrub once in a while. No special headlight cleaner is needed here, all that is needed is a tube of your favorite minty fresh toothpaste. Slather on a thin layer of toothpaste over the headlight, and let it sit for a few minutes.
The toothpaste should grab all of the grime that is sitting on the light. Using a damp cloth, wipe away all of the toothpaste for nice shiny headlights.
Remove Old Bumper Stickers To Make Room For New Ones
Sometimes when you purchase a used car, there are a few pesky bumper stickers that come with it. These might not fit the aesthetic you are going for, but fear not, they are easy to remove. WD-40, the wonder liquid is not just for oiling door hinges, it can also be used to remove bumper stickers. Spray some WD-40 over the sticker you want to remove, and let it soak.
Once the sticker has soaked, simply wipe it away, and any leftover sticky parts should also come right off. Now the vehicle is stickerless and ready to roll.
Dusty Vents And No Foam Brush? Just Use Silicon Gel
Not everyone has a foam brush just hanging out in their garage, ready to be used. Silicone gel might be on hand though, and that is perfect for removing dust and any other crumbs that might inside of air vents. Grab a wad of the sticky stuff and mould it into the air vent you want to clean. As it squishes in, it will collect dust and other particles, ready to be pulled out.
When the gel gets dirty, just fold it in on itself, and a new clean sticky surface should emerge ready to clean some more gunk.
Stained White Vinyl Seats? It's Time For A Magic Eraser
Car interiors come in all different colors and materials. Leather is easy to clean, but light-colored vinyl can sometimes start to show some stains after a few months or years. Those gray and black stained patches can be cleaned off with the help of a very hand tool. Magic erasers are designed to be able to clean scuff marks off of walls and other surfaces, which means they are also great for cars.
The magic eraser just needs to be dampened, and then it can be wiped across all of the stains on vinyl seating. They should begin to look clean very quickly.
For The Artists Crafty Clay Makes An Excellent Body Buffer
Clay is one of those items that potters tend to have bags of, and if you are a potter or artist then this might just be the perfect vehicle cleaning hack. Clay acts as both a cleaning agent and as a body buffer for vehicles. First, it grabs any stuff that might be stuck to the body of a vehicle. Then, it removes fingerprints and any other marks that aren't permanent.
This is one of those hacks you have to try, in order to believe and see just how effective it is as a body buffer and cleaning agent.
Get Into The Itty Bitty Nitty Gritty Crevices In Your Vehicle
Vehicles are full of tiny little nooks and crannies which love to fill up with crumbs and any other little bits of mud, food, and everything else under the sun you can imagine. Cleaning these hard-to-reach places takes some finesse and some tiny little tools. Q-tips, which are typically used to clean ears, tend to be the perfect household item to get into these tiny places and clean them out.
Boxes of q-tips tend to be found in most bathrooms, and if you don't have any, consider asking a neighbor for a couple. Everyone likes lending a helping hand.
Avoid Cracking Seats With A Little Bit Of Petroleum Jelly
Fabric seats tend to last forever, but seats made of vinyl definitely show a bit of wear and tear over the years. However, the careful application of some petroleum jelly appliedThis to a cloth can do wonders for this. Carefully wipe it over any area that
You can also use petroleum jelly to prevent the seals of the car doors from freezing in the winter, if you live in a very cold climate.
Say Goodbye To Pet Hair By Using A Squeegee
Dogs and cats enjoy going for car rides, just like humans do. Dogs love to stick their heads out of windows and feel the cool wind whip through their ears. However, as soon as a dog or cat enters a vehicle there is one pesky thing that is always left behind - fur! Pet hair has a tendency to stick to car seats, especially fabric ones, which makes cleaning tough.
One tool, other than a sticky roller that has been used to scoop up pet hair is a squeegee. That's right, your run-of-the-mill window squeegee can be used to brush fur from seats.
Keep Air Vents Dust Free With A Nifty Vent Brush
The air vents in vehicles get a lot of wear and tear. Those vents run for the duration of a trip, and whether they are blowing hot air or cold air doesn't matter when it comes to dust. As soon as those vents fill up with dust, they need to be cleaned out. That's where a special tool designed to clean vents enters the picture. This tool can be made at home.
All you need is some microfiber cloth and a blinder duster. The three-prong head can be used to wipe all of the dust off of the air vents.
Odors Be Gone With The Careful Application Of Baking Soda
One hack that homeowners and renters alike have been using to eliminate odors from carpets for decades is baking soda. Baking soda is not just for cooking, it possessed the ability to soak up bad smells, that make you go 'Ew, gross.' As a deodorizer, it can also be used on fabric car seats and carpets to get rid of any nasty smells that may be lingering from spilled food and drinks.
Simply sprinkle some baking soda over the seats and carpets, let it sit for a few minutes, and then grab your vacuum. Vacuum all of the baking soda up for a fresh-smelling vehicle.
Make Vehicle Windows Sparkle And Keep Babies Clean With Baby Wipes
Baby wipes aren't just for babies. Sure, they keep babies' diaper areas nice and clean, but they also work as hand wipes, and window cleaners in a pinch. Most people keep some baby wipes or wet wipes in the glove box of their vehicle and for good reason. As soon as some bugs go splat on the windshield, or a window starts to fog up, it is time to pull out the wipes.
The baby wipes work just as well as a window cleaner and vehicle windows will be sparkling after you wipe a baby wipe across it. Always keep some of these handy.
Cup Holders Can Be Kept Crumb Free And Clean With Moulds
Cup holders hold a variety of little items other than water bottles and soda pop. Sometimes they act as change cups or a place to put keys and other odds and ends. Sometimes granola bars and other crumbly food items end up in these cup holders as well, which can make for a bit of a mess. Instead of having to scrape out the crumbs, why not make it easy and add a special item.
The silicone baking moulds used for cupcakes are the perfect size for cupholders. Just plop a couple of these inside, and all you need to do is remove them when it is time to clean.
Deep Clean Air Vents With Compressed Air Used For Keyboards
Keyboards are one of the most used items on a laptop or desktop. Every time you want to do anything on the screen, you have to start typing away. If you decide to eat near a keyboard, it can become full of crumbs that need to be blown away. That's where a nice canister of compressed air enters the picture. Compressed air can also work wonders for air vents in cars.
That little straw that blows a targetted stream of compressed air can be turned on air vents and blow out any pesky crumbs that might have gotten trapped inside.
Steel Wool Can Clean Away Some Window Messes Without Scratches
When it comes to using steel wool, a lot of people like to be careful with it. After all, if it is used to clean a surface that can be scratched it can really do some damage. For windshields though, they are designed to withstand having pebbles hit them, and gravel fly up from the road. That means they are very tough, and for some crusty messes, a bit of steel wool won't hurt.
We don't suggest scrubbing an entire windshield with steel wool and soap, but a small portion that has some old bird droppings can be cleaned off with it.
Dryer Sheets Can Act As A Polishing Wipe For Cars
As soon as a vehicle hits the open road, it becomes a target for bugs. They tend to splat across windshields and the body of vehicles. The sticky mess they leave behind can be a bit gross, and sometimes a car wash does not remove the remnants of their bodies. A dryer sheet can work wonders in this situation. Grab a couple from your laundry room, and moisten them with water.
Once the sheets have been moistened, you can quickly glide them over those buggy spots. The sheets should grab the sticky bits, and make your vehicle gleam in the sunlight.
Clean Out Crevices In Your Vehicle With A Screw Driver
Vehicles are built with all sorts of little nooks and crannies. Some of these crevices are around the buttons that make windows go up and down while others are on the dash. Cleaning these areas can be pretty difficult unless you have a ready-made tool designed to get into these small spots. A screwdriver and some cloth can do the job in no time if you know what to do.
The cloth should cover the tip of the screwdriver and once that is in place, just run the tip through all of the small spaces. It will flick out any crumbs from the crevices.
DIY Air Freshener With A Clothespin And Essential Oils
Vehicles can get pretty stinky after a while, especially if you play sports and leave some sweaty cleats and clothes in the trunk. To make your vehicle smell as fresh as a daisy, all you need is a wooden clothespin and your favorite essential oil. Mint, lemon, and verbena are all good choices. Once you have chosen your desired scent it is time to do the important work of dipping the wooden clothespin in the essential oil.
Once the clothespin has soaked in the oil for a few minutes, remove it and let it air dry for a time. Then, clip it to the air vent, and the smell should waft through the vehicle.
The Perfect Car Sized Trash Bin For The Front Seat
It is inevitable that you will accumulate some trash in your vehicle. After all, you drive around all day, get take-out, coffee, and all sorts of other odds and ends that create garbage. Don't be a litterbug and toss the garbage out the window, instead, create a designated front seat trash bin for all of the garbage you accumulate throughout the day or week. You will need a small container to create this in.
Once you have found a suitable container, like an old yogurt tub, simply place it in the front seat, and line it with a plastic or compostable bag.
The Bug Removal Cooking Spray Hack Every Driver Needs To Know
Bugs seem to gravitate towards moving vehicles in a way that no other animal does. Perhaps this is because they whizz by just as bugs do. No matter what, bugs are going to wind up stuck to your vehicle's windows and the body of it. Instead of letting all of that bug juice marinate on the vehicle, you should quickly wipe it off when you get home, otherwise, it can be a sticky situation.
To remove sticky bugs, simply grab a canister of cooking spray, and spray it over the bug-riddled area of the vehicle. Then, wipe it off with a soft cloth.
Air Fresheners Made Out Of Deliciously Scented Leftover Wax Drippings
Have you ever had a candle that smells good enough to eat? Or one that makes you feel as if you are in a tropical paradise? The answer is likely yes, and that smell is something that can be brought into your vehicle, without having to light a candle inside. This can be done by using a small jar, and a lid with some holes poked through the top of it.
As soon as your favorite smelling candle has melted, pour some of that good smelling wax into a jar, let it harden, and then place it in your vehicle.
Use White Vinegar To Remove Salt From Around Your Vehicle
As soon as winter arrives, and snowflakes start falling, it is time for cities to start sprinkling salt on roads. This is great because it keeps cars from slipping and sliding off of the road. However, that salt is not good for the paint on your vehicle, and can quickly eat away at it if you are not careful. To avoid salt erosion, all you need is a bit of white vinegar.
The vinegar can be poured on top of the area where you park your car and it will get rid of any remaining salt that might get on your vehicle.
Avoid Streaky Windows After A Car Wash By Hand Drying
After running a car through a car wash, or washing it by hand, there tend to be a few leftover rivulets of water that can create streaks. These streaks aren't a big deal, but they can make a vehicle look dirty when you would rather it look clean. Don't worry though, these are easy to get rid of. Just as you would dry off a mirror with some paper towel, your car needs the same.
Simply wipe a cloth or some paper towel over the watery-looking spots, and make sure that there are no streaks leftover.
Melted Candy Can Be Melted Away To Avoid A Mess
Sometimes a chocolate bar or some candies are left on the floor of a vehicle. As soon as the sun hits those, they begin to melt and then dry into an unfortunate sticky mess. That mess doesn't need to last forever though, it can be eliminated quite easily with the help of an iron and some thick butcher paper. The area just needs a bit of heat which the hot iron will help with.
Place the paper on the mess, and then hold the iron on top of it for around 30 seconds. Then, remove the iron and the candy should be attached to the paper.
Get Rid Of Pesky Crumbs With Silicone Gel Or Putty
Vehicles are full of tiny crevices that are hard to clean unless you feel like shelling out the big bucks for a detailing service. Luckily silicone gel and putty exist, which means cleaning those hard-to-reach areas is something you can totally do yourself. All you need to do is grab some of the sticky substance, and mould it into place on the area that needs to be cleaned in the car.
Once the crumbs and other particles have clung to the gel, slowly peel it back, and prepare to be amazed by the nice clean area underneath.
Coffee Filters And Dust-Free Dashboards Go Together Perfectly
Nowadays, there are multiple uses for basically every item, and that includes coffee filters. Not only are they excellent for filtering coffee, and making sure that no grounds get into your coffee pot, but they are also excellent dusters. Just as coffee grounds cling to the filter, dust clings to them as well. Next time you need a duster for your car's dash, just remember you have some coffee filters.
Glide the flattened coffee filter over the dash, and let it pick up all of that pesky dust that has been accumulating. By removing the dust, the air quality in your vehicle will improve.
Blast Dust And Crumbs Out Of A Vehicle With An Air Compressor
Compressed air isn't just for air vents, it can also be used to quickly remove debris that may be caught in small spaces in your vehicle. As soon as you see something, like a bit of candy, or dried mud, consider grabbing the compressed air bottle. Carefully spray it into the area and wait until the item has been dislodged. You may want to wear safety glasses when doing this.
The safety glasses will keep any dust from getting into your eye, which could irritate it and keep you from finishing the cleaning process for your vehicle.
Remove Carpet Stains With Hydrogen Peroxide And Lemon Essential Oil
This DIY carpet stain hack is one of the best out there. All you need is some hydrogen peroxide, a few drops of lemon essential oil, and some water. Mix the hydrogen peroxide, the lemon essential oil, and some water together. Then, pour it onto the offending stain, and start scrubbing at the stain with a scrub brush. The stain remover mixture should get rid of the stain in no time.
You will need a bit of elbow grease to completely remove the stain though. Be prepared to scrub at pesky stains for a few minutes to make sure they are gone.
Olive Oil Is The Best Natural Car Cleaner For Dashboards
Vehicles contain a lot of plastic areas that need to be cleaned. Many of the cleaning fluids on the market are full of harsh chemicals which are not the best for children. If you want to go the natural cleaning route, then consider using olive oil. A thin coat of the liquid on the dashboard is a great cleaning substance. Let it sit for a minute, and then grab a cloth.
Swipe the cloth over all of the areas that the olive oil has touched, and it should leave the dashboard clean, and gleaming. Olive oil is non-toxic so if kids taste it, it is completely safe.
Clean Out Cup Holders With A Sock, A Cup, And Cleaner
Cup holders get dirty. Soda spills into them, crumbs from takeout hamburgers fall into them, and loose change is usually thrown in. All of that creates a pretty grimy area that needs some TLC. To clean out those cup holders, grab a travel mug and place a sock over the bottom of it. Then, spray some window cleaner on the sock until it is nice and damp like a wash cloth.
Now, stick the cup in the cup holder, sock and all, and begin twirling it around. The sock should pick up any grimy bit and leave the cup holder smelling and looking clean.
Clean Out The Seams In Vehicle Seats With A Toothbrush
Toothbrushes aren't just for brushing teeth. As they are basically tiny scrub brushes, they are an excellent tool for getting into hard-to-reach places that need some extra care. The seams in vehicle seat cushions tend to be the place where crumbs of food accumulate over time. All of that food can get stuck to the car seat if it isn't cleaned out, which is why a toothbrush should always be on hand.
The toothbrush can be used to flick out all of the crumbs that a vacuum has been unable to catch. This ensures that the seams remind crumb-free for a time.
Stinky Seats And Baking Soda Work To Cancel Each Other Out
Using baking soda as a deodorizer for carpet has been a hack used for decades, but it can actually be used on fabric vehicle seats as well. If seats are starting to smell, just pour some baking soda on those as well as the carpet, and let it all marinate for a time. Once the baking soda has absorbed all of the smells possible, it is time to vacuum up the white powder.
The smell should go as soon as it is vacuumed, and if there is still a slight odor, then consider spritzing it with a deodorizing spray or another round of baking soda.
Make A Windshield Gleam With A Micro Fiber Cloth Polishing
Windshields need to be kept clean, as they are one of the primary areas that a driver needs to be able to see out of. A clean windshield makes for a happy and safe driver. Not all cleaning materials are made the same though, and using newspaper to clean a windshield can leave some major streaks. That's where microfiber cloth comes in to save the day, and create a streak-free windshield.
A nice microfiber polish will leave every windshield shining bright like a diamond, and more importantly, easy for any driver to see through while driving.
Hair Conditioner Is An Excellent Substitute For Car Soap
Special car soap can be pretty pricey. Some soaps are made for specific brands, paints, and anything else you can think of that would make it special. However, your hair conditioner can do just as good a job as the expensive name-brand car soap. Take a look at the ingredient list, and if you see lanolin on there, this is a type of wax that makes hair, and vehicles shine.
Add some of the conditioner to a bucket of water and pour the mixture all over the vehicle. Wash your vehicle the way you would with soap and the lanolin in the conditioner should make it gleam.
Micro Fiber Mitts Are A Car Washer's Best Friend Forever
There are lots of different cleaning tools that car washers like to use, such as a squeegee for windows, rag for cleaning wheels, and all sorts of other odds and ends. However, there is one tool that beats them all when it comes to cleaning, and that is the microfiber mitt. These mitts have the ability to wash, scrub and polish a vehicle all at the same time which is pretty incredible.
Keep one of these in your garage for whenever you need to clean your vehicle. Your vehicle will thank you for this, as nothing scratchy will wreck the paint job.
Heat Is The Key To Removing Old Bumper Stickers
If you don't have any WD-40 on hand to remove bumper stickers, don't worry about it. A hairdryer can do the exact same job, it just might take a bit longer. Using high heat, hold the hairdryer over the bumper sticker you are trying to remove. It should heat up the sticker, and the adhesive holding it in place. Once it is warm enough, it should just slip off.
A plastic card can be used to pick off any remaining bits, and if some adhesive remains, just use a glass cleaner to remove it.
Keep Tire Rims Clean And Shiny With A Toilet Brush
Yes, there are expensive brushes and cleaners that can be purchased for vehicles, but they really aren't necessary. When it comes to car rims and wheels, all that is needed is a trusty toilet brush. Toilet brushes are designed to fit into tight places, and the long narrow handle makes them the perfect shape to slide in between the rims. The added bonus is that toilet brushes are very inexpensive.
Most dollar stores and other discount stores have them in stock, and this is an item that every household needs, whether it is for a bathroom or a garage.
Keep Trunks Organized And Clean With A Well-Placed Shower Caddy
This cleaning hack is one most car owners probably haven't thought of. Shower caddies are excellent organizers for small bathrooms that have a lot of different toiletries in them. They have multiple pockets and keep everything organized and in its place. The great thing about them is that they can also be used in the trunk of cars to keep spare parts, liquids, and other items all organized as well.
Grab a spare shower caddie, and attach it to the top of the trunk. Then, whenever you lift up the top, all of the items will be in their pockets, and not jumbled up in a messy pile.
Carabiners Can Hold Up Mountain Climbers And Shopping Bags
Every climbing enthusiast knows that a good carabiner can be the difference between life and death. For vehicles, it is a lot less about life and death, and more about keeping things tidy. Clip a couple of carabiners to the headrest on the passenger seat, and then clip some shopping bags onto them. This is great for grocery shopping because it keeps produce from spilling everywhere. Nobody wants to chase apples around!
Other items like umbrellas can also be clipped on. This makes it easy to find one, should it start pouring rain all of a sudden without any warning.