Tips and Tricks for Valeting Your Car at Home

With the weather warming up and the promise of summer road trips on the horizon, you may be thinking of getting your car valeted, or even doing it yourself at home.

Prepared to bust out the sponges and buckets? Here are some of our tips on getting a professional-level valet without the professional price tag.

On the outside:

Pre-wash the car's exterior 

Sticking your sponge straight from the soap bucket and onto the dry car will push any dust and grit particles straight into the paintwork. If you start by wetting the roof and working your way around, rinsing off the whole car, you can avoid any unnecessary wear to the paint and lacquer.

Shampoo the car from the top down

Mud, grit and dirt will typically accumulate at the bottom of the car, so work from the top down to avoid dragging the dirt back around the panels. Remember to clean the windows, wing mirrors and any sensors on the car before rinsing.

Consider the two bucket method if you don’t have a hose

Keep one bucket full of car shampoo, and the other full of clean water. After going over a section, rinse the sponge off in the clean water to get rid of dirt before moving on to spread shampoo the next area. For extra reassurance, using a wash mitt instead of a sponge ensures the dirt is trapped in the mitt's long pile, rather than lying flat on the surface of the sponge.

Remember to clean your wiper blades, and check if they need replacing

After all your hard work, dragging dirt all over your clean windscreen will be deeply upsetting. Ensure you have given your blades a good rinse and wipe while cleaning, and check for any tears, pits or peeling rubber. It’s an easy upgrade that makes a huge difference in both appearance as well as everyday practicality.

Invest in a specific wheel cleaner spray

A wheel cleaner can make a huge difference when trying to get rid of stubborn mud, grease and brake dust, melting it away with little effort. Rather than using a sponge on the alloys, a hard wheel brush is also a good investment for a professional clean, and avoids dragging metal particles around the rest of the car.

Dry the car to prevent water spots

Use a clean drying towel or a microfibre cloth to remove the stagnant water on the car when you’re done cleaning; this will prevent water spots, particularly on glass. 

Inside the car:

• Remember to take the floor mats out and hoover underneath them, as well as getting in between the seats for crumbs. Don't forget to do the boot either!
• For tough dirt on mats and the carpet, use a stiff brush to agitate the dirt and make it easier to hoover.
• Wiping the inside of the windscreen and windows with a glass cleaner can really increase visibility, especially if you carry passengers with a habit of touching the windows.
• Using regular household cleaners on the glass and dashboard can be tempting, but they can remove protective coating and leave a worse finish than you started with. 
• Spending time on the door openings, dashboard buttons and air vents will really make a difference, even if they seem irrelevant while cleaning.

General tips

• If you can, clean the car in the shade; direct sunlight can cause cleaning products and water to dry too quickly, leaving water spots and streaks on your freshly clean paintwork. 
• Using different cloths and tools for different areas can make your life a lot easier and prevent scratches and cross-contamination of products.
• For a complete valet look, give the car's paintwork a wax, or use a ceramic sealant spray. 

If you’re done cleaning and ready to replace your windscreen wipers, check out our straightforward fitting guides  – it’s easy, cheaper and only takes a couple of minutes to fit your own blades at home.

For amazing deals on the top brands with same-day dispatch before 3 pm, enter your vehicle registration and get started today.

 Top Brands, Great Value Wiper Blades 

With WindscreenWipers.co.uk's registration search tool, you will only get results for wiper blades that are guaranteed to fit your vehicle, all at great value prices, even among top name brands like Bosch, Michelin and Lucas.

Plus, with our easy-to-follow fitment videos and expert guidance, you can install them in under a minute—keeping your windscreen spotless with minimal effort.