Cleaning Your Car

by Marjorie Dorfman | More from this Blogger

06 Feb 2007 08:53 AM

Our cars get us where we need to go but when you really think about it, what do we do for them? Do we appreciate the shine of the chrome, the sparkle of the windows and the smell of the air freshener? Do we nurture our vehicles? (It's not enough to register them anymore.) Here are a few tips to help you keep those cars clean and happy.

Engine Cleaning Prepare a mixture of 1 part waterless hand cleaner and 4 parts hot water. Pour into a spray bottle and apply the spray directly to the engine of your car or motorcycle. Hose off afterwards.

Car Battery To help keep those battery posts and cables free of corrosion, cover them with a thick layer of ordinary petroleum jelly. To clean them, rub them down using rubber gloves with some cola. (This will not be the pause that refreshes, but it will clean those battery posts!)

Car Windows To remove those bug spots on your windshield, simply rub with a damp rag or one of those mesh onion bags dipped in baking soda. This works well on chrome too.

Chrome Cleaner Apply baking soda on a damp sponge or cloth. Leave on for an hour or so and then rinse off with water and dry. Applying a soft cloth dampened with ammonia onto the surface can also effectively clean chrome. Rinse with clean water and then buff to a shine. For those rust marks on bumpers, simply rub them with some aluminum foil. Wet with cola.

Instant Wipes Keep a package of baby wet wipes in the glove compartment. They work well on all kinds of accidental messes.

Air Freshener Tuck a few fabric softener sheets under the seats to reduce car odor.

Do YOU have any car-cleaning tips to share? Please do.

Related Reading:

"Washing Windows: A Carefree Diversion"

"Removing Carpet Stains"

Challenging Carpet Stains

Learn more about Marjorie Dorfman

Marjorie Dorfman is a freelance writer and former teacher originally from Brooklyn, New York.

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