Summer time always means car-washing time, at least in my mind. The weather is warmer and it stays light longer, providing optimal conditions to wash your vehicle(s). Below are some suggestions on how to get the most out of your time and materials!



Step 1: Spray the car down. This helps you get off any excess dirt, grime, bird poop, or bugs before you start scrubbing.

Step 2: Wash with soap. You'll need some car soap, a microfiber sponge, and a brush. Remember, the higher the quality of the soap, the better your car will look. You get what you pay for. Mix your soap with water in a bucket or other liquid-holding device. Dip your sponge, or whatever non-abrasive cloth you've chosen, and wash the car. Don't let the soap dry on the vehicle, this will leave unsightly spots on the car.

Step 3:Wash the rims. Take your brush and go over the rims with the soapy water. Brush all four wheels and then spray them with the water.

Step 4: Dry off the vehicle. You can find a special towel for this at your local auto shop and they're usually pretty inexpensive. These cloths are good at wicking up the water so it promotes drying. If you don't want to invest in one, you can use anything that is non abrasive.

Step 5: This is optional, but now is the best time to do some detailing. Take another cloth and go over all the nooks and crannies of your rims, door jams, and windows. Clean as much or as little as your heart desires.

Of course you can add more to this list and even take away, but the steps above are details of a good, basic car wash that will get the job done.