You pull up to a red light on the street in your fancy car…or truck and you look at the person next to you. You look at their vehicle and you make a judgement about that person. It’s not something you do intentionally, but subconsciously, as you wait for the light to change. Likewise, they do the same to you. What do they see? Do they see a car covered in dirt? Windows stained with bird poop? Or do they see a well-kept vehicle, clean both outside and in? What does this say about you? Have you ever given it a thought?
When I was young, my father made sure that I learned the importance of keeping up a car both inside and out. He said that the better I took care of my car the longer it would last. Of course, he knew what he was talking about. I doubt he ever gave any mind to what people thought of him as he sat at a light, but I’m pretty certain they thought he
was a squared away man with is shiny clean car glistening in the sun.
When I grew up I met my husband who drove a Chevy Nova. It was his pride and joy. I remember getting into it and thinking, this guy is squared away. You could have eaten off his dashboard. He prided himself in taking care of his car, and still does.
I have to admit that I’ve learned some pretty good cleaning car tricks from these two men over the years and I’d like to share some with you.
-Keep a garbage can in your garage or close to your car so that each day when you get home, you can throw away any trash accumulated throughout the day. (No one wants to have to move your trash to sit down in your car. What does that say about how you keep your personal space?)
-Use old bounce sheets to wipe down the dust and animal hair that may have found its way to your dash before using a liquid cleaner. You don’t want the dust or hair to stick more to the car! (Besides, even you don’t want to share that the animal hair in your house has gotten out of control!)
-Wash your car on a cloudy day to prevent spots from forming from the heat of the full sun. (A person that does this shows great time management in getting work done efficiently.)
-Wash you windows with a drop of dish soap, ¼ C of Vinegar and Water. This will prevent streaking. Dry with newspaper or rough paper towel. (Streaky windows only prove that the cleaner (you) doesn’t have much pride in one’s work ethic.)
-Don’t be afraid to steam clean your engine once a year to get the grim off the engine. If you are afraid to do it, go to a car wash and have them service your car. (This will prove that you know the quality of your vehicle and are willing to preserve it.)
-Change the AC filter in your car if you live someplace where you use the AC a lot. Many
people have no idea that they have a filter but once it begins to smell, you should take it in to have it serviced. (If you can’t smell it, one might think you have a stinky house too…)
-Make sure you use the proper cleaners on your dash, leather or vinyl. Some will actually take the paint right off your dash if you don’t pay attention. (One might not applaud you for your inability to read the fine print!)
-CLEAN YOUR TIRES – so often people forget this small step but I can guarantee you that 
if you are driving a shiny Camaro and you don’t clean your tires, everyone will notice!Dirty tires take away from the beauty of your vehicle. (What does that say about your attention to detail?)
-Clean out your change bin (ashtray)! (Why, you ask? Because it will show that you are able to save money, even I it’s all in coins!!)
-Once a month check under your seats and in your trunk. So many people never look in these places, but over time, buildup under the seat can mess with the mechanics of the
seat, and debris in the trunk can come loose and disconnect wires for lighting and more. (Again, you are showing your pride in yourself in keeping up the quality and safety of your vehicle.)
And Finally – TAKE YOUR CAR INTO THE MECHANIC on a regular basis and keep up on all your warranty requirements! (You already paid for the warranty so show that you are mature enough to not waste money and keep your car in excellent condition.)
You may not care what others think of you, and quite frankly, that’s okay. But whether you believe it or not…. Your car does say A LOT about you and how you live your life. With just a few simple cleaning tips, you are on your way to showing the world that you’re mature, smart and drive the hottest wheels around!
