To give your car the perfect wash, you need the right cleaning supplies. Here are 5 cleaning supplies you should use to wash your car and 5 you shouldn’t!
It’s great that more people are now embracing the old-fashioned method of cleaning your car yourself, over the use of car washes. Washing your car by yourself is much better for a number of reasons, the most important being that it’s good for long-term maintenance of the car exterior. The powerful tools and quick turn-around time of commercial car washes may seem appealing at first, but it is really not friendly to your car over time. Doing it yourself is also more cost-effective, and a bonus is that it can be a fun Saturday morning activity for you!
However, the decision to shun the car washes and do it yourself will only make sense if you’re doing it right. You need to equip yourself with the right cleaning supplies; repeated use of the wrong ones and you would end up causing the same damages you were avoiding in the first place. To help you get the best car washing results, here is a guide to the 5 cleaning supplies you need in your cleaning kit and 5 you are better off without.
CLEANING SUPPLIES YOU SHOULD USE TO WASH YOUR CAR
- MICROFIBRE TOWEL: Arguably the most important cleaning supply you need to own, a microfiber towel provides the gentle touch your car deserves. Made of millions of microscopic synthetic fibre, a microfibre towel absorbs liquid super fast and does so without leaving swirls and streaks. This makes it perfect for cleaning water, dirt, and grease with minimal effort and in minimum time. If you don’t own one already, simply search our products to order one. Your car’s paint job would be happier for it.
- MICROFIBRE GLASS TOWEL: Like its counterpart above, a microfibre glass towel is the most suitable material for cleaning your car windows and windshields. Its unique composition means it is specifically made to give the glass a thorough wipe down free of streaks and scratches. And we’re sure you know the importance of clear windshields and windows to your vision while driving. So be sure to get a microfibre glass towel when next you’re stocking up on cleaning supplies.
- GRIT GUARD: Considering the simple but effective role a grit guard plays, it is a bit surprising that more car owners don’t own one. Just as the name suggests, a grit guard is designed to keep grit trapped at the bottom of the bucket. This reduces the chance of carrying dirt in your washcloth, and nasty scratches on the car paint while scrubbing. It’s a very affordable item, too, so get one that fits your buckets before your next wash.
- WHEEL BRUSH: The tires can be tricky to wash, but the job gets a bit easier when you have the right cleaning supplies. A must-have for cleaning your rims is a wheel brush. The long handles of the wheel brush mean you’ll be able to reach tough spots for a more thorough cleaning. Be sure to get a wheel brush made of soft material e.g., wool, so your rims are scratch-free and shiny after every wash.
- RAPID CLEAN AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS: The right cleaning accessories without the right washing soap would put you right back where you started. Fast Clean range of high-quality automotive products includes Auto Wash, Wash, and Wax. Degreaser, and so much more. These great products with microfibre cloths, a grit guard, and a wheel brush? Now, that’s a winning combination!
CLEANING SUPPLIES YOU SHOULDN’T USE TO WASH YOUR CAR
- DISH SOAP: You’ve probably heard this before, but it’s worth reiterating; dish soap is absolutely not an option for washing your car. It’s bad news for your car’s paint job because it’s an abrasive soap. Dish soap eats into the car’s protective topcoat, exposing the paint to streaks and scratches and giving your vehicle a dull look. Admittedly, it’s a slow process that happens over months, but why bother when you can get affordable options specifically made for cars from Rapid Clean?
- PAPER TOWELS: Whenever there’s a wet spot on your car paint or window you want to wipe off, paper towels should not be an option you consider. They aren’t as soft as they seem – their fibres are made from wood, after all – and they are notorious for leaving scratches on surfaces.
- PRESSURE WASHER: Using a highly pressurized flow of water on your delicate car paint at home may defeat the purpose of not going to the car wash. In the hands of a professional, a pressure washer can actually be a useful tool. However, if you are unaware of the necessary precautions before pointing it at your precious car, it could be a weapon of destruction, literally. A garden hose is a preferred alternative that achieves the desired effect without the paint job’s attending damage.
- HOUSEHOLD GLASS CLEANERS: Perhaps, they would be perfect for cleaning your car glass if they didn’t contain one chemical agent; ammonia. The presence of ammonia causes household glass cleaners to stream, stain, and discolour your windows and windshield. Also, if your car window is tinted, ammonia has a bad habit of causing the tint to peel over time. Hence, you are much better without it and should use products specially formulated for the purpose of washing your car glass.
- CHAMOIS LEATHER: Although they have become increasingly popular among car owners, chamois leather is far from the best option as it can be difficult to maintain. It also traps dirt between its fibres, which can contribute to nasty scratch marks. Opt for a microfibre cloth instead.
Conclusion
What do you think of these 5 cleaning supplies you should and shouldn’t use? Now that you know which cleaning supplies to use, and avoid, it’s time to get the ones you’re missing and give your car the wash it deserves. Remember that RapidClean is your one-stop provider of excellent automotive cleaning supplies. Browse through our range of products, and purchase as many as you need today.
