Whether you plan to spring clean or pre-winter clean your car, doing a full detail yourself is very easy. Vehicles that receive regular washes are still susceptible to dirt and dust in nooks and crannies! Regular maintenance and attention to these details are all elements that enhance vehicle aesthetics, improve your driving experience and contribute to vehicle safety and longevity.
Follow this guide to learn how to detail your own car at home to keep your ride in top condition.
Auto Detailing Explained
Essentially, an auto detail is a very thorough cleaning of the inside and outside of your car that restores the vehicle to a near-showroom state. Taking your car to a professional for detailing can cost between $110 and $160*, sometimes even more, which can justify the choice to detail your own car. The car detailing service market is expected to reach $9 billion by 2032. As this process can take a few hours, ensure your car is parked in the shade and is cool to the touch — excess heat dries out many products you will use before they have time to work their magic on your car.
Tools to Detail Your Car
You will need a few essential supplies to get started, with the benefit of having plenty left over for your next at-home car detailing endeavor:
- Vacuum: You can use your household vacuum or grab a hand-held, battery-operated vacuum.
- Microfiber towels: These towels will help to give your car a gentle clean and dry various surfaces.
- Wash mitt: A soft wash mitt is convenient to use. Choose one made from microfiber material to ensure it will not scratch your car's paint.
- Various brushes: Get some brushes for scrubbing wheels and a few smaller brushes to scrub out air vents and other hard-to-reach places. Toothbrushes and small paintbrushes are good options.
- Soap: Get car wash soap that will help to protect your car's paint, as household soaps may strip off wax from your vehicle.
- Buckets: Get one bucket for the soapy water and another to rinse the wash mitt, towels and brushes.
- Automotive clay bar: This synthetic putty helps remove contaminants before you apply wax to the car's surface.
- Wheel cleaner: This soap contains harsher chemicals than car soap to help get stubborn dust and grime off rims.
- Glass and surface cleaner: Opt for the glass cleaner you use on windows at home and an ammonia-free cleaner for interior car surfaces.
- Car wax: This wax helps to keep your car looking good while protecting the paint. Be sure to get a foam pad applicator to apply the wax evenly.
- Leather or upholstery cleaner: Use upholstery or leather cleaner to clean your car's seats. If you have leather seats, you may also want a leather conditioner to keep your car's seats immaculate.
- Carpet cleaner: You can use any carpet cleaner or mix all-purpose cleaner, liquid detergent, fabric softener and stain remover.
Interior Detailing
Start with the inside of your car so the carpets have time to dry out while you wash the outside. Here are the steps to take towards a clean, fresh-smelling car:
- Vacuum seats, carpets and floor mats: Take out the floor mats, and vacuum your seats, the car's carpets and the floor mats.
- Wash floor mats and scrub carpets: Wash carpets with carpet cleaner. Scrub the floor mats, and let them dry out in the sun.
- Clean the interior parts: Use a microfiber towel to clean interior surfaces, focusing on door handles, the steering wheel and armrests. You can use some of the smaller brushes in your tool kit to clean out debris near buttons and handles.
- Clean windows: Clean the inside of your car's windows, including the windshield and rear window.
- Clean the seats: Use the leather cleaner and a microfiber towel for leather seats. Use an upholstery cleaner and a damp cloth if your car has material seats.
- Get that new-car smell: As a final touch, get an automotive deodorizer spray to freshen up the scents in your car. Be sure to use this after your mats, carpets and seats are dry to get the full effect.
Exterior Detailing
Detailing the outside of your car is about more than a quick wash. Take care to lubricate the hood and trunk hinges, the hood latch and window tracks. Clean the weather stripping, too. Exterior detailing involves meticulously washing the outside areas of your car, drying them, and taking steps to protect and finish the car's paint, bumpers and rims:
- Pre-rinse: Rinse the car off with water to loosen up dust and debris that could scratch surfaces if you start with a dry wash.
- Clean the wheels: Spray wheel cleaner on the wheels and rims, scrubbing with a brush to remove caked-on dirt or brake dust.
- Wash the car: Grab your buckets and wash your car in sections with soap and a wash mitt, starting with the roof and working your way down.
- Rinse off soap: Rinse off each section of your car as you finish washing it to prevent the soap from drying on the vehicle.
- Dry your car: Use one of the microfiber towels to dry off your vehicle, ensuring no watermarks on windows and surface areas.
- Grab the clay bar: Spray some lubricant and then use the clay bar to remove any contaminants stuck to the paint. Dry immediately with a microfiber towel.
- Wax and buff: In small sections, apply wax with an applicator pad before buffing the wax into the paint using small, circular motions. Remove excess wax with a microfiber towel.
Keep Your Car Cleaner for Longer
Add a few items to your car to keep it fresh and neat between washes or DIY car detailing sessions. A car gel or putty is a handy helper that will pick up dust and particles stuck in hard-to-reach places like air vents or cup holders. You can also get a small container or mini trash can to keep inside the car, making it easier to clean up litter on the go. Store a battery-operated, hand-held vacuum in your trunk, which lets you clean up messes quickly and easily. You can gift yourself or a loved one products to help clean their car.
Maintain Your Car With AAA
Detailing your vehicle at home helps cut costs and maintain your car's value and appearance. With the rising costs of vehicle ownership, you will save on washing expenses and enjoy the feeling of empowerment when you detail your vehicle at home.
Help keep your car in good condition with a roadside assistance membership. AAA members enjoy 24/7 roadside services and opportunities to save and earn rewards on travel, insurance and other vehicle services. Learn more about our classic memberships and car maintenance packages.
*The prices stated in this post are current as of the time of publication.
