Car Cleaning Tricks Local Dealers Don’t Want You to Know

You are a firm believer that a great day starts with a fabulous-looking car. Nothing puts you in a better mood before heading to work than the crisp smell of freshly cleaned seats, an impeccably shiny exterior and the glossiest windshields ever – and if you tend to agree, then you’ll love our new list featuring cleaning tips and tricks that guarantee you the coolest ride in town.

Slime for the Leftover Dirt

Despite your intense car cleaning habits, there always seems to be a hard-to reach spot inside your car that needs extra special attention. And for difficult spots like these, there’s a magical, albeit unexpected ‘tool’. Meet ooey, gooey slime, aka the remove-it-all master that’s about to change your car cleaning habits forever. This amazing car cleaning slime will get your car looking like new again. Those stubborn crumbs in the folds of your seats? Reach for slime! Those odd, leftover dirt particles other products won’t wipe? Count on slime again! You name it, slime is one of those items that is as efficient as it is unconventional.

Cupcake Liners against Clutter

Having a messy car and a dirty car are two different things – and fact is, when it comes to your particular ride, its exterior shines and glows spotlessly, but messiness rules inside. And with messiness, comes clutter. Here’s a great solution to minimize clutter in just one move: grab two cupcake liners and place them in your cup holders. Check on them a few days later and notice how many tiny objects, from hair clips to crumbs and dirt they have gathered. In order for this method to work, make sure you forgo the thin paper cupcake liners and grab some thicker ones made of plastic instead.

Vaseline for Affordable Shine

Everyone loves a good-for-everything product – and this next one on our list certainly deserves the top spot when it comes to both versatility and efficiency. Meet Vaseline, the number one multi-tasker that’s about to give your dashboards an amazing makeover. If commercial products loaded with unhealthy ingredients simply won’t do it for you anymore, then give the old petroleum jelly a try! Simply wipe your dashboard with a little Vaseline and be amazed by the fast and utterly silky results. Bonus points: Vaseline will certainly not break the bank, especially when compared to the professional products on the market.

Toothbrushes and Flat Head Screwdrivers versus Crumbs

You’re convinced that getting crumbs out of your car is an impossible mission. Or, even worse, you’re pretty sure that in order to achieve the crumbs-free status, you need to invest hundreds or thousands of bucks in the latest miraculous car cleaning gadgets. Well, we’re here to prove you wrong. While getting rid of crumbs certainly requires a bit of patience, it is totally doable (and on the cheap, too) with nothing else but your old toothbrush. That’s right, put your old fuzzy tool to work and get in those otherwise-unreachable seams. Another tip that works just as well: a flat head screwdriver, covered with a cloth.

PAM against Dead Bugs

Tons and tons of dead tiny bugs on the front of your car? We’ve all been there! Long rides always seem to gather more than a few little creatures, spread all over your car’s exterior. And if you were thinking that it was time for a fancy little product that promises lots and achieves far less, then think again – it’s PAM cooking oil for the win! That’s right, get rid of those annoying little bugs by simply spraying cooking oil on the affected areas, then wipe and rinse with plenty of water in order to remove the grease and the debris. Enjoy the flawless results!

Toothpaste and Pantyhose for the Win

Old pantyhose heading towards the garbage can? You might rethink that decision – as surprising as it may be, your old stockings can be a useful tool when trying to clean your headlights. Having sharp and clean headlights is essential in order to stay safe on the roads, so we can’t blame you if you won’t settle for anything less than glossy perfection. Simply grab a pair of pantyhose and add a touch of toothpaste that contains baking soda or whitening agents and scrub away! Be mindful of the fact that special tints require professional products – but otherwise, toothpaste for the win!

Magic Eraser for Leather Seats

This next tool cleans just about anything, from the ickiest parts of your kitchen to… you guessed, your car. The famous magic eraser was designed to clean those places that few other tools reach – and when it comes to your car, it is recommended you use it on vinyl and leather seats. Just to be on the safer side: test out the magic eraser on a small surface in a hidden place before diving in fully – because of its abrasive nature, this little sponge can sometimes work too well on sensitive surfaces, leaving them damaged.

Rubbing Alcohol for Windshield Wipers

You clean your car for a wide range of reasons, but the most important one of them is certainly the fact that you need to count on a safe drive. And since there’s nothing less annoying and, at the same time, dangerous than a blurry windshield, you need to pay extra attention to the way you clean your wipers. Many products on the market promise a streak-free look, but few manage to meet the expectations. In order to achieve the cleanest windshields, grab some rubbing alcohol and give your wipers a rub – you’ll be surprised at the difference it makes!

Dryer Sheets for Icky Bugs

Spring is in the air – and while you certainly enjoy the smells of fresh blossoms and the warmer temperatures, there’s one thing you’re definitely not crazy about: the millions of bugs on your car grill. The products available on the market simply won’t cut it and your very buggy problem is certainly in dire need of an immediate solution. Introducing: dryer sheets, aka the must-have tool in the fight against dirty bugs on your car grill. Not only will these do a perfect job, your car will get a fresh laundry smell in the process.

Clay for Taking It to the Next Level

If you’re all about delighting your numerous Instagram followers with the latest shots of your precious car, then you’re probably not settling for anything less than utter perfection when it comes to your photography – and because of that, you’re all about taking the car grooming process to the next levels. Introducing: clay, aka the final, miraculous car treatment that will perfect whatever results you had achieved by using professional products or the tips on our list. Use clay to pick those tiny stubborn dusty bits here and there and enjoy your flawless looking, picture-ready car!

Baking Soda for Fresh Air

It’s perfect for obtaining crisp white teeth, ideal to clean your oven and, who knew, the amazing solution for harsh odors in your car – we’re talking about no other that baking soda, the good-for-all product that will get rid of any unwanted smells in your car. To get the best results, simply sprinkle baking soda all over your seats, let it sit overnight, then vacuum he seats the next day. In order to maintain the fresh air in your car, opt for a natural air freshener or give a try to one of our favorite tips on the list: essential oils!

Microfiber Cleaning Cloth for Clean Ceilings

Your car is in top shape, shining brightly in the sunlight and you couldn’t be any prouder of your fancy ride. While we’re sure that you’ve done a thorough job, we’re willing to bet that you missed a spot – the ceiling of your car, to be more precise. Very few car owners actually clean their car’s ceilings – but doing so ensures that the car will be free of tons of microbes and that the air inside it will be less dusty. If you’re willing to step it up and clean the ceiling, here’s our simple solution: grab a microfiber cleaning cloth, as it works best at eliminating suspended dust.

Vodka for Your Windshields

Running low on windshield cleaner? If running to the store sounds too exhausting for a lazy Sunday and you’re planning on taking your family on a roadtrip, then we’ve got an unexpected solution. While your liquor cabinet should definitely not be the last place you visit ahead of a long drive, you’ll be surprised to find out that your favorite vodka can be the magical ingredient of a very efficient mixture, perfect for your windshield-washer reservoir. Simply mix vodka with water and regular dishwashing detergent, shake it until well combined and voila, you’ve got your next go-to car cleaner.

Essential Oils for Natural and Fresh Accents

Air fresheners loaded with obscure, chemical ingredients? No, thanks! Here’s our pro tip that will make you never go back to the store-bought car perfumes: essential oils! Step one: pick out your favorite fragrance, be it the case of lavender, eucalyptus or spearmint (or try an unconventional type, like mustard oil or sassafras). Step 2: go to your laundry room and grab a few wooden clothes pins, then sprinkle your oil of choice on top. Step 3: Take your perfumed clips and attach them to your vents. The result: a natural and fresh-smelling car like never before!

Soda for a Healthy Battery

If you are worried about the way your car’s battery’s been looking lately, then finding the best solutions in order to keep your car in great health is essential. There is a wide range of specialized products on the market that promise you a corrosion-free, new-looking battery, but there’s no need to clutter your garage’s shelves with yet another product when you can simply reach for something that’s already in your… fridge. That’s right, we’re using soda for this next cleaning trick: simply pour your favorite coke drink on the corroded battery in order to revert it to perfect health.

Stain Removers for Icky Floor Mats

On the lookout for an efficient product that has the power to make your floor mats look and feel like brand new? There’s nothing worse than cleaning your car to perfection, only to notice at the end that your floor mats are still loaded with icky stains – and for those times, we’ve got a brilliant solution. You might be a little skeptical at first, but regular stain removers do a wonderful job when it comes to eliminating gross, deep or even old stains from your mats. Our verdict: save your bucks and simply grab the magical potion from your laundry room, then be amazed with the results!

Hair Conditioner for Perfect Shine

We all want the smoothest, silkiest and shiniest rides and if you are all about the latest innovative products that can help you achieve your car grooming goals, we’re here to introduce you to… hair conditioner! That’s right, your trusted hair miracle potion is now needed in other place besides the bathroom – more precisely, in your garage. Be the envy of the town in the glossiest car around by simply using a lanolin-based hair conditioner instead of a specialized car wash product, then rinse with plenty of water and enjoy the fantastic results!

Recycled Trashcan to Keep Messiness at Bay

Biscuit wrappers on your seats, crumbs everywhere, used wet wipes, various receipts and your last week’s burger’s box thrown on the back seat. Sounds familiar? We’ve all been there! Keeping your car as neat as possible starts with keeping track of your trash – and there’s no better way to do that than by opting for a small trashcan in your car. Go for a recycled trashcan or rather, trash-box by using an empty cereal box in combination with a store’s plastic bag that you can reuse. To keep your car away from utter chaos and messiness, empty the bag as often as possible at gas stations or public trash cans.

Vinegar, the Magical Solution

If you’re all about ditching the potentially dangerous, chemically-loaded cleaning products for your home, then you’re probably interested in taking the same approach when it comes to your car, too. And we’ve got just the magical solution: combine water and vinegar and obtain the perfect cleaning potion for both your car and your home! And if you’re interested in the exact recipe, simply mix 50/50 water and vinegar, then roll up your sleeves and proceed. Our tip: use this solution when trying to remove salt stains, as it works better than any product on the market.

Newspapers for Clean Windows

You’ve got a stack of them in your garage, yet it never occurred to you to use them when grooming your car to perfection. This next method is as inexpensive as they come and, surprisingly enough, it works wonders. We’re talking about plain ol’ newspapers, aka your new must-try car cleaning equipment. As you might have guessed, you’ll need a bit of window cleaner to get the job done – but ditch the towels in favor of your old newspapers. However, if you are the owner of a car with tinted windows, don’t try this at home, as newspapers might remove the tinting.