10 bad car cleaning habits to break

Doing a regular at-home car wash and vacuum may seem like a simple process, but there are a few incorrect techniques that, if used, could damage the interior and exterior finish on your car.

From washing it with the wrong products to using an old T-shirt to pat it dry, here are 10 car detailing habits you should break to keep your car in tip-top shape.

RELATED: How to detail your car like a pro »

Exterior

1. Using the wrong cleaning supplies

Above all else, the most important factor in a quality car detailing job is the equipment and cleaning solutions you use. Here’s a list of supplies you should avoid using to clean your car:

• Dishwashing liquid or detergent – these liquids are specifically formulated to strip stubborn oils from cooking utensils, so using these on your car can eat away at the outer layer of automotive paint and make it look dull. Instead, use a car shampoo or another car cleaning soap.
• A smooth cloth, soft towel or old T-shirt – these are unable to absorb fine dust and dirt particles, so using one will leave you swirling dirt around on your car, and could potentially cause micro-scratches that could worsen over time. Instead, use a microfibre towel or a textured cloth.
• Household (ammonia-based) glass cleaner – certain window tint films are susceptible to peeling, bubbling and fading if a strong household glass cleaner is applied. Instead, use a specific automotive glass cleaner.
• Brushes with metal bristles (for your wheels) - these could scratch and damage your wheels. Instead, opt for a gentler plastic bristle brush, or dedicated wheel cleaning brush which you can find at good car part stores.
• Acidic stain removers - artificial stain removal products with a pH lower than seven can potentially bleach fabric on your car seats or mats. Instead, use a natural solution - a mixture of baking soda and water (ratio 1:4) should do the trick.
• Cut or polish - A cutting compound is typically used to remove light scratches and rejuvenate older paint finishes by taking a small layer off the top of the paint finish. For paintwork in good condition, a good wax may be all you need.

A tell-tale sign that you've used the wrong products is an effect called ‘spider webbing’ or spider scratches. This occurs when tiny cracks appear in the paint, particularly in sections of the car that are repeatedly washed.

To keep your car’s exterior in good shape, we recommend you wash it no more than once a fortnight, with quality car cleaning products.

2. Washing your car in direct sunlight

Washing your car in direct sunlight can make it a longer, more frustrating process that is likely to result in a less than satisfactory finish. Heat from the sun on the surface of your car will cause water to evaporate before you’re ready to wipe it off yourself, leaving water marks.

Always wash your car in a covered or shady area without exposure to direct sunlight.

3. Cleaning your wheels last

Though it may seem more logical to wash your car from top to bottom, it’s best to clean your wheels first, since they are often the dirtiest parts of your car. In addition to dirt and grime, brake dust can also build up on your wheels which can leave fine scratches in your car’s paint if it’s transferred from the wheels with a cleaning cloth or sponge.

Cleaning the wheels first will prevent you from shifting any of this grime or brake dust onto the body of your car. For this reason you should always use a separate brush and/or cloth for your wheels. To deep clean your wheels, use a soft bristled brush with a bit of car shampoo. An old toothbrush can be useful for reaching deep crevices. Avoid brushes with metal bristles as this could scratch your rims.

Dedicated spray-on wheel cleaning liquid is available, as are specialised wheel cleaning brushes.

4. Using only one bucket

In the most basic terms, washing a car involves removing dirt and grime build-up on its surface. If you use just one bucket for your shampoo into which you’ll dip your dirty sponge or wash cloth, you’re essentially cleaning dirt off your car, adding it to the bucket with the suds and then transferring that dirty water back to the car’s surface.

For the most effective result, use the ‘two-bucket’ method when washing your car’s exterior – one bucket containing car shampoo mixed with water, and one filled with clean water. Dip your washcloth or sponge into the soapy water, wash a section of your car, then dip it into the bucket with the clean water. Give it a bit of a shake to loosen the dirt, and then go back to the soapy water bucket for more car shampoo. Using this method will help isolate and remove the dirt you’ve wiped from the surface of your car during the wash.

5. Scraping off hardened bird droppings

As bird droppings are acidic, they can leave permanent marks on your car’s paint if left for too long. Never use anything with a sharp edge to scrape off dry bird droppings as this can scratch or chip your paintwork and leave irreversible damage.

As soon as you spot bird droppings on your car, drench a cloth in warm water and place it on the affected area for a few minutes. This will soften it enough to be able to remove it easily with easily with a clean cloth.

6. Not using car wax, if your car is more than a few years old

If your car is more than a few years old, giving it a coating with a natural car wax (like carnauba) is one of the most effective ways to protect its glossy shine from the harsh Australian elements. This extra layer of protection can also prevent car paint from chipping or etching.

It’s recommended to apply car wax to your car at least every three months for maximum effect. Do so by applying a small amount of wax with a clean cloth, working on one panel at a time using circular motions. Once you’ve covered the surface of the entire car, leave it to dry for a few minutes, then use a dry microfibre cloth to buff and wipe away the light layer of residue. Buff in circular motions for the best result.

Interior

7. Not sun-proofing your dashboard

As your car’s dashboard is the interior surface which receives the most direct sun exposure, it’s important to give it a little extra attention and protection from harmful UV rays. Without this protection, it could easily be prone to discolouration, fading and cracking over time

Invest in a good UV protectant, and apply it to your dashboard with a cloth at least once a month. It’s worth doing this more often if you’re parking your car in direct sunlight frequently.

When using liquid sprays to clean your car interior, take care not to spray into the instrumentation on the dashboard. Spritz the fluid onto a cloth instead and then apply.

8. Neglecting your air vents

While you’ll be able to easily remove visible dust and dirt from inside your car, the build-up that isn’t so easy to spot is often the most important to clean. In your car’s humid and enclosed cabin, air vents can become clogged with odour and dust particles, which could develop a musty smell and may create an unhealthy environment for people with asthma and other respiratory issues.

Once every few months, use a cotton swab to clean the dirt out of your vents. Make sure you remove all dust and dirt from the slats of each vent, then use the swab to do a deep clean inside the vents. Use an interior cleaning spray to clean it afterwards.

9. Using harsh chemicals on the gauges and/or console area

This may damage the finish of parts of your car’s interior, and given the instruments and console areas are the parts of the car you look at the most when driving, it’s good to keep them clean and clear. Water and a soft cloth should do the job.

10. Not keeping on top of carpet and seat stains

Use an automotive upholstery spot cleaner to remove stains soon after they happen. Some spot cleaners come with in an aerosol can with a handy built-in scrubbing brush on the end, which can be effective. It’ll keep your car looking and smelling good on the inside.

Last updated November 2021