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Spring is
a great time to give your car a thorough clean after it has been left to gather
dirt, mud and grime over the winter months. With the onset of warmer weather it
is the perfect time for a spring car cleaning session to show off your pride
and joy in its full shiny metallic glory. Here we run through the essential tasks
for a car spring clean.

Check
The Weather Forecast

There is
nothing more demoralising than setting aside your spare time at the weekend to
start cleaning your car only to have the British summer rain ruin your work.

Try to
pick a time when the weather is mild and dry. If it’s sunny, find a spot in the
shade to avoid products drying out too quickly on your car, leaving behind
spots or residue.

Prepare
Your Cleaning Products

Gather all
of your car cleaning products, and ensure you have everything you
will need. Your basic car cleaning kit should include the following:

The list
of cleaning materials is almost endless depending on how you prefer to finish
and detail your car, the above are the basics.

Clean
The Exterior and Wheels

Grit and
debris from winter roads can cling to your paint and wheels so spring is the
perfect time for a good clean down. Start with an all over pre-wash with a
pressure washer or specialist grit remover to avoid dragging grit across the
paint work.

After
this, use a sponge or mitt soaked with car shampoo to wash the car, but make
sure to dip it into a separate bucket of clean water after each wipe. For
wheels, use brushes to loosen dirt from alloys and wheel arches. Rinse the car
and wheels off with clean water, then apply any finishing products such as a clay
bar, wax or polish.

For extensive
guides to cleaning your car see super-cleaning your car or learn how to clay bar your car, or how to deep clean the inside of your
car.

Clean
or Replace Windscreen Wipers

Despite
the weather turning milder, spring can still bring rainy weather so having correctly
functioning wiper blades
is essential. See how
to clean your wipers here. If your wipers show any signs of cracking,
smearing, squeaking or juddering it is likely time to replace them.

Top
Up Screen Wash

During
winter we can go through a lot of washer fluid, cleaning windscreens due to
dirty and gritted roads. Ensure it is topped up for spring to ensure you
maintain your visibility.

Topping up
screen wash is straightforward. Under the bonnet their will be washer fluid
reservoir, often with a blue cap. Add screen wash until it reaches the maximum
line. Check your vehicle handbook if you are unsure.

Replace
Cabin Filters

Pollen
season starts in March, with trees and grass coming into bloom. If you’re an allergy
sufferer, make sure you replace your car’s pollen filter ahead of
time. Not only do they stop pollen entering the cabin, they also trap unwanted
debris and particles. It’s also worth giving all your vents a quick clean at
the same time to remove any residual dust and dirt.

Declutter

Before
cleaning the interior, remove any rubbish that has accumulated, as well as unnecessary
toys, shoes and bags. Ensure you leave the
essentials in the glove box and boot in case of emergencies.

Vacuum The Mats, Interior and Boot

Winter
boots, wellies and pets bring in all kinds of dirt into the car. Take spring as
an opportunity to pull out all the floor mats and give them a good hoover. You
may even wish to wash them while you’re at it. Give the footwells, seats and
boot a vacuum at the same time to rid your car of debris, pet hair and crumbs.

For an
extensive list of car cleaning products and accessories visit our website or your nearest Euro Car Parts branch where our
friendly staff will be more than willing to provide you with some
expert advice.