If you plan to hold on to your car for a while, you will want to keep it in good condition for as long as possible. No matter how many miles you rack up or the type of roads you drive, there are several things you can do to keep your car looking great for years to come.
Interior Cleaning
Don’t let litter clutter up your car. Keep a trash bag in the vehicle or toss the food wrappers and other debris into the trash when you get home. Keep your sports gear, work uniform, or other necessary items in the trunk to keep the interior of your car neat and clean. Every week or two, use a mild cleaner and a moist cloth to remove dust, grime, and fingerprints from the windows, dashboard, gear shift, and the inside doors.
Seats and Upholstery
Consider using auto seat covers to protect your car’s fabric or seat material. Wash the covers monthly or as desired to keep them clean and fresh. When you do, wipe your seats down with a mild cleaner and take care of any stains that may have appeared. You should also vacuum the seats and floors to remove crumbs, dirt and dried mud, leaves, pet fur, and miscellaneous rubbish that has accumulated. Use a mini-vacuum cleaner pencil-type wand to reach into the crevices between and under the seats and around the gearshift.
Floor Mats
In addition to vacuuming the vehicle’s floors routinely, get a quality set of car floor mats that fit your make and model of car. Avoid getting cheap or flimsy floor mats, because they often don’t fit correctly. They also tend to slide around, which exposes the floor under them to dirt and stains. Wash the mats occasionally to keep them clean and in good condition. To clean them, remove them from the vehicle. You can let them air out in the driveway or the garage while you clean the rest of the interior.
Body Maintenance
Take care of minor scratches and dents before they start to rust. Windshield chips can expand and crack, which will require a complete replacement instead of a small repair. Keep your tires rotated so they wear evenly and look good, especially the wheel covers. Have your vehicle washed and waxed periodically to remove road dust, mud, and other debris and to protect the finish while keeping it shiny and clean.
Your car is a financial investment. The longer you drive it, the more value you will get out of it. Keep it looking great to enjoy while you have it. Finally, if you decide to sell the car someday, it will fetch a better price than one that is not well maintained.
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