the car that cleans itself

[canadian gardener]

OK I'm still working the kinks out and developing my best system on car cleaning but here goes. This is what dh and I do so far.

INSIDE THE CAR:

Dashboard Dust:
My ostrich down duster dusts the dashboard and gets into the nooks and crannies near the windshield better than anything else I've tried

BUT I am thinking to buy a small one just for the car and do the flylady thing of keeping it in there in a small basket, along with window wipes for cleaning the inside of the windows on a regular basis.

I think I will find a pretty little basket to hold the duster and the wipes and I can give the inside a quick clean when waiting for dh on Tuesdays when I have the car and have to pick him up from work. Dragging the duster and the windex out just isn't working for me. I've seen some Armor all wipes that clean and protect the dashboard plastics too which might be a good thing.

Windows:
I used to keep windex and a roll of paper towel (paper towels are REALLY handy in the trunk btw) but it kept falling over and leaking, and I didn't like having a bucket, so I'm considering one of those window wipes things.

Trash: -- I usuallly keep a small plastic trash bag in there, and empty it regularly when we go to get gas, but dh put an apple in there that went sloppy so I threw it out. Since then and when we arent' using a little trash bag I take any trash in with me and tidy the car as I head back in the house, but I need that trash bag back. It is MUCH easier that way.

I suggested on another thread about having a nice basket or tote bag (straw basket style with good handles that are easy to sling over the arms as you come in the house with it to empty it maybe with hands full of other stuff).

I may change the plastic bag to a lined small straw tote, that I can line with a plastic bag, and it can sit up on it's own, rather than fumbling to find the opening of a plastic bag strung over the cigarette lighter handle thingy. We don't smoke so that is it's only use, but the bags look untidy and I prefer a basket I think.

Paper products: I keep a box of kleenex in the car, and when I've remembered, a roll of paper towels in the trunk

which are good for more than just sudden clean ups of the headlights in the mud season so you can see better, they also clean hands that got dirty adding a quart of oil or pumping gas. They live in the trunk though as they tend to look a bit tacky up front.

We try to NEVER eat or drink in the car although that rule gets broken once in a while: and that saves a lot of mess and garbage and stains and dirt. We usually figure if we are getting a fast burger or something on the road or running around town, we deserve a break sitting at a booth and letting the fast food employees clean up any spills that may happen.

FEBREEZE: When I vacuum the inside, I like to hit the upholstery with Febreeze, and that has happened on average about 1 or 2 times a year. I like to keep it fresh smelling but I can't handle those air fresheners. Febreeze seems to evaporate without leaving much of a smell behind, and I think it does make the car smell better. This was more important when I had dogs.

Carpets:
As for the rest of it, we use those pantsaver mats front and back on all 4 foot rest areas in the car.

They get washed when we wash the car. The place we wash the car has giant clips for the mats so they can be hit with the same high pressure water and the foaming brush to do them.

Car wash: Dh and I go to one of those charge by the minute Do It Yourself carwash places. It's cheaper than the drive thru brushy kind of places and working together we do a much better job. Plus we apply the wax to the car not the windows.

We don't go near as often as we should. I'd ideally like to do it once every 2 weeks on a payday weekend, but it's more like once a month or so in winter/wet/muddy season and once or twice in the season in summer sunny dry and hot season.

I do a good vacuuming of the car once or twice a year, usually spring and fall when it's still nice enough to work outside with the vacuum from the house.

Car Wash Speedy technique:
DH starts wetting the car with the soapy water pre wash, while I hang the car mats up and then I grab the foaming brush thing and go after him in the circle, and as he finishes his circle around the car he sprays the next detergent and hits the mats, then the rinse. Finally the wax and replace the mats and we are done.

Took us around 5 minutes and less than 5$ to get it all done the last time but we work fast and kind of synchronized.

That is my system, kinks and all,

WHAT DO YOU DO TO KEEP YOUR CAR LOOKING AND SMELLING NICE:

[baxjul]

OMG, did you peek in my car and get inspiration to clean it? I really need to do this tomorrow! Thank you!!!!!!!

[mouse]

I have a friend who uses armor all wipes to clean the dash ect while she's stopped at a long traffic lights or while she's waiting for someone. seems to work really well. you could do that with both the armor all and the window cleaner--though i'd probably refrain from cleaning windows at traffic lights

I agree, paper towels in the trunk are endlessly useful

[Pepper]

Our car is absolutely the worst. I am very rarely in it, so it stays messy. I believe we will clean it today or tomorrow though, as I got in there yesterday to go to town with dh and OMGoodness it was a pit. We usually use baby wipes or baby oil on the dash. For the windows we use cornstarch/water mix....WONDERFUL stuff. There used to be a free Vacuum place here, it is no longer, so I will probably vacuum it here at the house.

I love the idea of a tote!! I will have to keep my eyes open for something like it!

[canadian gardener]

OK this is working SO well.

I just got back from a retreat, and had to pick dd up from work, so while I waited for her,

I cleaned the fuzz out from the coffeeholder part, cleaned up the trash dh had left, dusted the dash and other hard plastics and then

I spritzed windex on remaining dirt spots on the dash and coffee holder.

Then I spritzed the Armor all on to finish.

(the basket keeps the windex and Armor all upright, I nearly croaked at the cost of windex wipes and armor all wipes. )

And I finished up by emptying the trashbag (saved the bag) into the trash can near the entrance of the mall.

All done, shiny and pretty when dd came out.

I'm liking this little basket tote. It looks pretty and sits perfectly on the floor in front of the back seats. It holds the liquids upright from falling over and keeps everything looking nice and corralled.

I got it for a little over 2$ on a clearance. It has wood handles and a woven wicker basket base and looks lovely.

I have a recycled produce bag around the roll of paper towels to keep them clean. I have a normal thing of Windex and a tiny little spritzer of Armor All and I picked up an ostrich down mini duster at Superstore for cheap so it's sitting in there too.

I cleaned on last Tuesday as well when I picked dh up from work on Car day so this is starting to work really well as far as I'm concerned.

[Early Bird]

My DH lines up the cars at the curb. Then he gets out the pressure washer and does all 3 at once. It takes a good 45 minutes, but it makes him feel terrific.

[canadian gardener]

this is working extremely well. The cleaning tools are out where I need them, and I'm using bits of otherwise wasted time (while waiting for dh on car day when I pick him up after work) to keep the car maintained.

[miss_thrifty]

We ahev the little mean green machine. We use it for our arear carpet, and couch (incase os spills) we have new one now, kids aren't allowed to eat on it. I got hubby to use it a few weeks ago for truck rugs. ughhhhhh winter is so hard on them. Mats are vacumed once a week and any leftover garbage cleaned out. we love using the swiffer sheets too for dry dusting.I alos use soft paint brushes with armaorall to get into all the small areas like the heaters.

[canadian gardener]

great ideas missthrifty!!!!

thanks. I like using a leftover dryer sheet too, in the house, but I may try one in the car. And the paint brush to get into the skinny spaces, is another good idea.

I've been using a freeby Mr Clean magic eraser to clean the steering wheel as one of the village ladies recommended, and that is working really well too.

[Libby]

Keeping my car clean? Im very particular about it being clean but its not possible for me. Bf lives up in rural area and tiny town so its bound to get a ton of bugs stuck and baked on to windshield and yes its only April! Grrr! Its not only dusty up here but muddy and now bug laiden Thats one thing I dont anticipate about summer coming....

In my old car I used to have a lil box in back with window washer fluids and other car needs. This big gas guzzler? Nothing LOL. Its brand spanking new! Well actually I always have box of tissues, wet wipes, waterless hand sanitizer and my small (bathroom sized?) garbage can held in place by a bungee cord I bought from Dollarama. Sometimes I have a small cardboard box and they all go in there so they don't tip and roll all over the floor. I also took a BOUNCE sheet, ripped it half and placed each half under driver and passenger seat to keep car smelling nice as it heats up during the days. (Used ones are great for dusting - or use the leftover damp papertowels from windexing)

What I plan to do (now that the snows gone finally!) is keep a few basic supplies in it but not a lot. I didnt pay for a privacy cover for the back so instead I took old Rubbermaid Totes from home and shoved them in the 'trunk space', after I lined the trunk with a clear tarp to protect against dirt/spills etc. (sometimes the coloured ones will bleed or transfer colour when heated)

Deep Tote holds an emergency change of clothes, spare runners and winter boots and extra winter coats. (all old of course) And a blankie or two.

Shallow Tote holds jug of window washer fluid. A few leftover shopping bags 'just in case'. Thats it.

When I go shopping and have to leave bags in car and I dont want people to see where I've shopped, I toss the bags in there and cover it up or pull out my blankie and toss over the entire trunk.

Now that springs here, going into summer I will put a WINDEX in there, along with roll of paper towels and maybe a spot tar/bug remover to get rid of the bugs once I arrive at bf's each wknd. I had a car Febreeze but it was too baby powderish scented for me. I may find the new 'Clean/Fresh Linen' scent to use in there if they make that by now, otherwise its still new car smell and fresh air scent from open windows.

My pantsaver mats are in there from my other car but they do need a good scrubbing from all the salt and mud that have dried onto them. And it seems that each Monday evening after work I will have to clean my car then to 'de-bug' it for the week, only to turn around on Friday to go back to bf's to get re-bugged

[MessyKat]

Again Margery I thank you!

I have been doing a better job with my car since late February...early March. I had an accident in January and well I had to take the car in for repairs at the end of Feb. It took me 2 hours to clean it out so I could take it to the shop. I found stuff in my car that had been there since...oh do I dare say this...well since CHRISTMAS! I found 2 of my Christmas presents in my car at the end of Feb....

Now I make sure every time I fill up with gas that I make sure all of the trash is out of the car. I also get all of the trash out at the end of the day when I am going into the house. I have to pass right by the trashcans outside, so it is the perfect opportunity to throw stuff away.

Another things to do when filling up with gas is to check your tire pressure. If you do this every time you fill up and put air in as needed you can get up to an additonal 10,000 miles on your tires (depending on the tire quality of course).

I have to say joining this forum has been one of the best things I have every done for myself. I am learning so much and I thank you all!

[canadian gardener]

wow honey you are so welcome!

and your tire pressure tip is great and will save gas too, because keeping the pressure right means a bit better gas mileage.

Thanks MessyKat!

[Frugal Nurse]