Spring has sprung and it is officially time to start your spring cleaning if you have not done so yourself yet. Once you’ve taken the time to clean out your interior, it’s time to show your exterior some love. Plus, when your car is looking fresh, you’re feeling fresh! But many of don’t know that there is actually proper steps that you need to take in order to wash your vehicle properly, and if you don’t you could cause some serious damage to your car’s exterior. So take a few minutes to check out our helpful tips below and get ready to roll up your sleeves because we are washin’ away winter and scrubbing our way into spring!

Step 1: Fill a clean bucket with water and soap, choose a car shampoo that won’t strip your vehicle’s wax and provide lubrication for grimy particles. *If you notice swirl marks when you wash your car, try filling two buckets, one with soap and one without. Before you dunk your sponge for more soap, dunk it into the bucket of clean, non-soapy water. This is cleaning your sponge of the dirt and grime that you just took off your car and will help prevent swirl marks.*

Step 2: Rinse your car, make sure you get those pesky, hard-to-reach spots too. This will get rid of loose dirt and grime and ultimately make washing your car a little less of a hassle. When rinsing your vehicle, wash top to bottom opposed to front to back. Suds up your car, rinse and repeat. Instead of a sponge, wash mitts are a great option. For pesky spots, like grime or bugs, try a spot cleaner that will help remove the stuck-on mess.

Step 3: Drying your vehicle after washing is extremely important, it makes all your hard work worth it. Using a clean microfiber cloth, dry windows and mirrors first, then move to bigger surfaces like your hood, doors, and trunk. Don’t forget door jams or any hard-to-reach spots. Lastly, dry your wheels and tires.

Step 4: A spray wax or sealant can help rejuvenate the shine on your vehicle.