BACK FROM VACATION? HERE'S HOW TO CLEAN YOUR CAR INSIDE AND OUT

Thoroughly cleaning your car after a holiday is essential to remove dirt, dust, insects, and any salt or sand that has accumulated during the trip. This prevents damage and costly repairs.

Tip: Don't go to the car wash, but wash the car by hand. It's much more fun and you also perform a thorough inspection right away. If anything broke during the holiday, you'll see it immediately and can take action right away.

1. The exterior:

   • Start by removing coarse dirt using a garden hose or pressure washer. Make sure to keep the pressure washer at a distance of 25 centimeters and work from top to bottom.
   • Pay extra attention to areas such as the wheel arches, the underside of the car, and the grill, where dirt can accumulate.
   • Preferably, use a foam to safely remove the first layer of grease and dirt from the paintwork. This prevents wash scratches. To apply the foam to the paintwork, use a pressure washer in combination with a spray lance such as the Foam Cannon Pro.
   • Before washing the car, spray the front, windshield, and mirror caps with an insect remover. This safely removes stubborn insect residues that would otherwise remain after washing. Absolutely do not use cloths or scouring pads, but choose the 2-in-1 Anti-Insect Wool Mitt with high-quality wool and insect mesh.
   • Fill a bucket with 1 liter of water, then add 50 ml of car shampoo and fill the rest of the bucket with lukewarm water. Make sure the shampoo foams well and use a wash mitt for washing.
   • Do not make circular movements, but make nice long strokes and rinse the wash mitt regularly in a second bucket with a grit guard. This separates the dirty water from the clean suds.
   • Rinse the car thoroughly with plenty of water and dry the paintwork with a drying towel. Depending on the size of the car, different types of drying towels are available.
   • Consider applying a protective layer to make the paintwork dirt and water repellent. For quick results, use Nano Wet Coat, for extra shine Spray Wax, and for a protective layer for at least 3 months, use Ceramic Sealant.
     
     

2. Tires and rims: These can also get quite dirty during a holiday, as you've traveled long distances over various surfaces. Use a specific rim cleaner and possibly a brush to clean them. You can clean the tires with a specific tire brush and a little car shampoo. Make sure to scrub well and use plenty of water when rinsing. If you don't, you may end up with tires with a brown residue. Don't forget to check the tire pressure and refill if necessary.

3. The interior:

   • Start by completely emptying the car. Remove everything that doesn't belong there, but for convenience, also remove everything that does belong there. This way you can clean the car thoroughly without fear of accidentally vacuuming up something wrong.
   • Vacuum the interior thoroughly, also remove the floor mats, pull the seats completely forward and backward so you can vacuum underneath them as well. Of course, you do the same with the trunk.
   • For the entire interior, such as the dashboard, door panels, center console, and seats, use an interior cleaner like Interior Clean. This allows you to clean plastic, Alcantara, suede, fabrics, rubber, (artificial) leather, and (painted) metal parts. It's the ideal product for stubborn stains or sticky buttons! As a tool, you can use the Soft Interior Brush Set and/or the Textile Cleaning Brush with harder bristles.
   • Do you have a leather interior? After a holiday, the leather may look quite shiny due to frequent getting in and out, sunscreen, and sweat. With Leather Matt Clean, you can safely clean the leather and restore its beautiful matte finish. Use the Leather Cleaning Brush in combination with a microfiber cloth. Finally, to care for and nourish the leather, you can apply Leather Care.
   • Clean the windows on both the inside and outside with a glass cleaner and a clean waffle weave cloth. This removes grease, dirt, and even the smallest dust particles, ensuring a crystal clear and streak-free result.
     
     

4. Air freshener: If your car still has an unpleasant odor after cleaning, such as from sweat, food, or wet clothes, consider an air freshener or air out the car thoroughly.

5. Wiper fluid and other fluids: Check the levels of the wiper fluid, oil, and other essential fluids and top them up if necessary.

By following these steps, you ensure that your car is in optimal condition and ready for daily use again.