Ultimate Spring Cleaning Checklist for Your Car

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This winter season, like an unwelcome guest, lingered for longer than most of us would have liked. The good news is that spring is finally here and that can only mean one thing—it’s time for some spring cleaning. While you get your home ship shape, don’t forget about your car. Here’s a complete guide to spring cleaning your car.

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Spring Interior cleaning

Things You Will Need Before You Start

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Interior Spring Cleaning Checklist

Declutter and Remove Trash

Start by removing all the unnecessary items and anything else you don’t really need in the car. Look under the seats, in the glovebox, trunk, and other compartments. These are the places where those missing water bottles and bags of chips usually end up. Keep a small trash bag handy to throw out all the trash.

Vacuum the Interior

While big items are easily picked up, a vacuum is great for the smaller, stubborn items. Use a vacuum with a crevice tool to clean the seats, carpets, floor mats, and hard-to-reach corners. Although portable cordless vacs are easy to maneuver, nothing beats the suction of a strong wet/dry canister vacuum. This is also the time to remove your car’s mats, give them a good shake and vacuum to rid them of all the salt, sand and gravel. Pay special attention to the area under the seats and between seat seams—this is where food crumbs and dirt collects over time. You should also vacuum cloth seats using the upholstery brush attachment.

Wipe Down and Clean Upholstery and Surfaces

Once the clutter is out of the cabin, use a microfibre cloth and a spray-on cleaning solution to wipe down and clean all the plastic surfaces such as the dashboard, cupholders, door panels, and centre console. This is also a good time to get rid of any stains on your car’s upholstery. Check out our comprehensive guide on how to get stains out of seats.

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Clean Windows and Mirrors

A clean windscreen and windows are essential for safe driving. Running the defogger through the winter contributes to the windscreen becoming dirty. While there are lots of DIY mixtures and solutions that you can use, an automotive grade glass cleaner is just quicker and easier to clean all interior windows and mirrors. Use a microfibre towel to ensure there are no streaks and/or scratches.

Remove Odours

Once you have cleaned the car and the upholstery, you have most likely removed the sources of odours from the car. It’s still a good idea to clean the headliner in the cabin with a soft brush and cleaner. If the odours are coming from the air conditioner unit, you might have to use an A/C vent and duct cleaner to rid it of the musty smell. Consider using a car air freshener to keep it smelling fresh.

Spring Exterior Car Cleaning

Things You’ll Need for Exterior Cleaning

Step-by-Step Guide to Washing Your Car Properly

Pre-Rinse to Remove Loose Dirt

This is probably the most important thing to do to prevent scratching your car’s paint as you wash the car. First, rinse the car thoroughly with a hose or a pressure washer. Pay attention to areas such as lower body panels and bumpers where dirt and salt usually accumulate the most. Also clean the wheel wells and the underside of the car to rid it of the salt and grime from the winter months.

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The Two-Bucket Method

While using a pressure washer is quick, you do end up wasting a lot of water. Hand washing using the two-bucket method uses less water, is environmentally friendly and is more satisfying than slathering the car with foam with a pressure washer. Fill one bucket with soapy water and the other with clean water. Starting top down, using a wash mitt, clean the car with soapy water. Rinse the mitt frequently in the bucket with clean water before dipping it back into the soapy one. Clean the car in straight lines and not in a circular motion. This way you are less likely to miss any spots. Once the car is covered in foam, let it sit for a few minutes to dissolve any grit that was not caught by the mitt. Then, rinse the car with clean water.

Cleaning Wheels and Tires

After you have cleaned the painted surface, it’s time for wheels and tires. We suggest using a separate, dedicated cleaning brush to scrub the wheels and rid them of the brake dust. There are different types available, so buy one that suits your needs best. Clean one wheel at a time, spraying the wheel with cleaning spray. Let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing with a brush. Then, rinse the wheel with some clean water.

Drying Without Scratching the Paint

After you have cleaned and rinsed both the bodywork and wheels, use a blower or soft microfibre towels to dry the car. Go one section at a time, pat drying instead of rubbing the surface. Specialist tools such as chamois towels are also available both online and in stores. Chamois leather has great absorption properties that make it useful for quickly drying the car.

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Applying Car Wax

Now comes the fun bit. Giving your car a shiny finish. Using an applicator pad, apply a thin layer of wax in overlapping circles. Let it sit and turn hazy, then, using a soft microfibre towel, buff it gently. We have covered the entire process and recommended some highly rated car waxes here. For next level paint restoration, consider detailing your car with a clay bar.

Protecting Windows and Trim

Spring means that there will be lots of rain. To stay safe on the road, we recommend applying a water repellent treatment on the windshield so water beads off easily. You can also choose to get a windshield coating done that lasts longer, but may be more expensive. If your car has unpainted bumpers/trim bits on the exterior, apply a trim and plastic restorer. Pour some gel on the applicator and rub it on the trim surface. Once applied, using a clean microfibre cloth, give it a good wipe down. This will make the trim look richer.

Pro Tips for Long-Lasting Shine & Protection

• Avoid automatic car washes that employ friction based cleaning such as spinning brushes. The dirt trapped within these brushes can lead to scratches on the paint. Touchless car washes that use high pressure water are safer for the paint.
• Once you’ve spring-cleaned your car, give it a wash every couple of weeks to prevent build up of grit and dirt. For bird droppings or bugs, spot-clean as soon as possible.
• Reapply car wax and/or water repellent every two months to maintain their performance.
• Always use a clean microfibre towel whether drying the car or buffing the wax. Also, separate the towels by use so you’re not washing the car with the towel you use for waxing.

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Spring Car Maintenance and Organization

Essential Spring Car Maintenance Checklist

Inspect and Top Up Fluids

Engine Oil: With the car parked on level ground and the engine off, use the dipstick to look for the level and colour of the engine oil. You might have to top up if the engine oil is running low or replace it if it’s dark or nearing the change interval.

Coolant: Give the coolant reservoir a quick glance and ensure the fluid is between the Min and Max levels. Get it replaced if it appears dirty.

Brake Fluid, Windshield Washer Fluid: With summer driving season just around the corner, ensure that these essential fluids are at recommended levels. If the brake fluid is running low, refer to the owner’s manual and top up with the correct DOT rated fluid. For windshield washer fluid, there are summer specific options available that claim to fight road grime and bugs.

Examine Tires And Brakes

Tread Depth: Using a tread depth gauge, check the tread depth of your car’s tires. You can also use a coin to do this. On the quarter, with the caribou’s nose pointing down, insert the coin into the tread. If the caribou’s muzzle isn’t visible, the tread is deep enough. If the muzzle is visible, it may be time to replace the tires.

Tire swap and rotation: The time to switch from winter to summer tires is approaching. On your summer tires, look for signs such as bald spots, uneven tread wear or cuts and cracks. If any of those are present, it may be time to replace them. If they are in good condition, rotate them to even out wear and help them last long.

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Brake Wear: Listen for squeaking or grinding noises when applying brakes. Also pay attention to longer stopping distances, the brake pads may be wearing out. We have an in-depth guide covering how long brake pads should last to help you make an informed decision.

Replace or Clean Air Filters

Air Filter: A clean filter not only improves fuel efficiency, it also positively impacts the engine’s performance. Clean the filter using compressed air or get a new one if it’s extremely dirty. A simple test is to hold it against a light source; if you can’t see through it, you need to replace it.

Cabin Filter: These are usually hidden behind the glove box and are an easy replacement. A clean cabin filter will keep the HVAC working optimally. The filter will also help reduce pollen and allergens in the cabin. The cabin filter will need replacing every 12,000–15,000 km.

So there you have it, a complete guide to spring cleaning, maintenance, and getting it ready for the summer.

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