April 7, 2022
Spring is just around the corner! The snowbanks are melting into puddles, and the trees will soon be filled with budding leaves and flowers.
However, the harsh winter weather has likely taken its toll on your vehicle. Therefore, it deserves some TLC now that the weather has started to warm up.
Grab a pen, paper and your cleaning kit because we’ve put together a list of expert tips on how to give your vehicle a good spring cleaning.
We recommend tackling the inside of your car first. You're less likely to dirty the outside of your freshly washed vehicle if you do this step first!
The seats in your vehicle are invaluable. Therefore, to restore them to their former glory, we recommend vacuuming out all the cracks and seams.
We strongly believe that every other spring-cleaning task will hinge on how clean you get your seats!
Don't overlook specially formulated leather cleaning products. Since leather tends to be a fragile and sensitive material, it’s a good idea to use a leather-specific cleaner that can be purchased at a big box store, specialty car store or even a home store. Using a microfibre cloth, spray the product directly onto the seat or the cloth and rub gently to remove stains and bacteria.
Fabric seats are easier to clean than leather seats. However, they absorb more water and soap. Therefore, make sure you allow them to dry.
The good news is you don’t necessarily have to scrub them down with traditional soap and water. In fact, using a steamer is a great way to deep clean your seats quickly and effectively.
However, if you’d rather go a more traditional route, you can use a mixture of diluted white vinegar and hot water instead of soap.
Don’t put your vacuum away just yet! This is the best tool for removing seeds, crumbs, sand, road salt and more from the floor of your car. Leftover road salt can leave unsightly white stains on your floor mats, upholstery and more.
However, simply running the vacuum over your floor won’t be enough to remove calcium stains. Therefore, we recommend taking the floor mats out of your car and cleaning them thoroughly with a steamer or a mixture of soap/vinegar and water. You should do the same on the inside of the doors.
Once you’ve cleaned the inside of your car, there's no better way to make that freshly clean smell last for as long as possible than to get an air freshener.
Choose a refreshing scent or your favourite clean-smelling aroma.
If you’re a do-it-yourself kind of person, you can also make your own scent. Here's how:
Now, it's time to put the keys in the ignition and drive to your nearest Pioneer Car Wash. The outside of your vehicle needs a good clean to ensure it sparkles and shines.
Once you get to the car wash, you have options to choose from: Ultimate Wash, Superior Wash and Express Wash. Every wash comes with the following:
The Ultimate Wash and Superior Wash also offer an under-carriage wash. The Ultimate Wash is the cream of the crop and comes with:
Your car will emerge from the wash sparkling clean!
If you didn't choose the Ultimate Wash or if you simply prefer to wax your car yourself, here are a few choices you can find in-store:
Spray-on wax dries quickly and is easy to apply. The only downside is that it doesn’t last long.
Paste wax is ideal for old vehicles or those in poor condition. It takes a while to spread but lasts a long time.
If you have a new car or one that’s in very good condition, liquid wax is your best bet. It provides very good protection and offers a beautiful shine. However, you must be careful when polishing your car.
Spring is a great time to check if your car's ventilation system is still in good working order. Make sure the air ducts and air conditioner are working and check if the air filter needs to be changed or cleaned.
Tires
With spring around the corner, you’ll soon need to make an appointment at your local mechanic to have your summer tires installed.
If you have all-season tires, you can still check the tire pressure and wear pattern to ensure they're in good condition.
Although your windshield wipers don’t have to contend with ice and snow in the summer, they can still take a beating.
Therefore, take a few minutes to ensure your wipers are still up to the task and that they’ll make it through the next season.
Spring is a great time to change your oil and make a quick trip to the garage. If you’re already there for a tire change, consider asking the mechanic to check your oil and the general mechanics of your car.
If you haven’t already, remember to make an appointment at your nearest mechanic for a tune-up.
You’re ready to take on the sunny days ahead with a clean car that can drive anywhere!
