How to Wash a Car
Cars are exposed to the daily elements, and it falls upon our hands the task of cleaning them up occassionally. While having our cars washed at a commercial car wash center is always tempting, knowing how to clean our cars is a useful skill we can all do with! Here are the steps how to wash a car by hand.
Tools
A bucket
Garden hose with adjustable nozzle
Car wash mitts
Car wash soap
Car wash brush
Chamois
Large sponge
Glass cleaner (optional)
Procedure
Choose a shady spot to prevent premature drying, preferably over a roof. Washing your car under trees is not recommended because of leaves and sap falling on your car. Washing your car in direct sunlight can cause soap residue to burn itself onto the paint of your car.
Close all the doors and windows securely. Wear household clothes because you will likely get stained, wet and dirty.
Hose down your car at the nozzle’s lowest setting to get rid of loose dirt. Using a higher pressure may cause dirt to rub and grit against your car’s exterior and cause damage.
Fill a bucket up to 3/4 with warm water. Measure out a cap of car was soap and mix it with the water.
Work up a lather in the bucket and dip your sponge in the soap and water mixture. Sponge your car one side at a time, starting with the car’s roof. As soon as you’ve finished, spray off with water. Remember: Soap one side and rinse before moving on to another side! Rinse thoroughly.
While washing one side of the car, don’t forget to clean the tires as well. Use the car brush instead of the sponge for this purpose.
After all sides of the car is done, give the whole car an overall rinse to make sure there are no soap stains.
Dry off the whole car using chamois. Set the chamois on the surface and deliberately drag it across to make sure it picks up all the moisture. When the chamois becomes too wet, wring before continuing. You can also use an old, dry terrycloth towel for this purpose.
Pay special attention to the metallic or chrome parts of the exterior of your cars. Give it more elbow grease when drying to make sure they are free from water or soap stains.
To wash the windows, apply glass cleaners on a wet rag and apply on the windows. You can also use balled-up old newspapers. Dry with a dry rag.