Washing your car is an important part of car care. While automatic or touchless car washes can do a good job, hand washing your car can be difficult to get completely clean, especially in hard-to-reach areas. After washing, you can’t dry your car properly with a dry towel; doing so will remove water spots and protect your car’s paint and clear coat. In addition to helping you keep your car really clean, washing your car yourself will save you money. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to wash your car.
Tools you will need
Car wash steps
Step 1: Park outside
Park your car outside where you have enough space to wash and dry it. Avoid direct sunlight if possible, as the heat will dry the soap faster.
Step 2: Wash the car with high pressure water hose
Start by spraying water from a garden hose into the car to dislodge any loose dirt. Start spraying from top to bottom, making sure not to miss any spots.
Step 3: Apply soap to the entire vehicle
Now take the soapy water and lather your car. You can use a microfiber car wash mitt for a light, regular wash or a foam gun for a heavier wash. Work from top to bottom. You may need to wash half or one section of the car, rinse that section, then lather the remaining areas.
Step 4: Rinse off the soap
Get the hose and spray the soap off the car. Start by spraying from top to bottom. Don’t forget to spray the side skirts and wheels as well.
Step 5: Wipe the wheel clean with a clean cloth
Take a clean microfiber cloth and wipe down the rim. There will be a lot of brake dust and dirt on your cloth, so make sure you don’t touch any other parts of the car with the cloth.
Step 6: Dry the outside with a towel
Use a clean microfiber or synthetic suede towel to dry the entire exterior of the vehicle, removing any water spots. Be sure to leave no streaks.
Step 7: Open the hood, trunk and car doors
Open the hood and trunk to clean the edges and openings. Often water from these areas will run down the car after everything else has dried and can cause water spots. Clean the hatch openings and similarly clean the door openings.
Step 8: Finishing
If there is anything else you want to do to your car, you can do it. Whether it is adding glass cleaner for the windows and windshield, wheel cleaner, tire shine or wax, you can add it at the end.
How to wash a car FAQ
How often should I wash my car?
This depends on where you live and the weather. If you have a garage to park your car in, then you won’t have to worry too much, but if you don’t have a garage and drive your car regularly, it’s best to wash your car at least once a week.
Hand washing vs machine washing
Washing your car with a power washer is a really quick way to clean your car, but the scrubbing action of the brushes on the paint can damage the paint over time. Washing your car by hand will preserve the paint better and will clean all those hard to reach areas that a regular car wash tends to miss.
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