The comprehensive guide to how to clean your car

How to clean your car's interior 

When it comes to car cleaning, interior cleaning is just as important as exterior cleaning. A clean cabin can extend the life of your car and also make driving more comfortable. At Biltema, we have everything you need to keep your car sparkling clean inside. Whether you're looking for a quick fix or a thorough seasonal clean, we have the right products for you. From vacuuming and wiping to deep cleaning of seats and mats – we have equipment for cleaning the entire car.  

Need to clean your car quickly? The quick fix solution!  

Don't have the whole afternoon, or does your car just need a quick clean? Then you can give it some love and a quick fix with a clear conscience. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to quickly and easily clean your car on the inside:   

1. Tidy up the car: Tidying up the car can quickly make a big difference. Remove rubbish, empty bottles, paper, loose items and unnecessary things to create a tidy environment. Materials such as paper, cardboard and blankets collect moisture, which means you risk the windows fogging up inside if they are not removed from the car.  
   
   
2. Wipe down all surfaces: A quick wipe down of the surfaces in the cabin will give your car a fresh and new look. You can simply use a cleaning wipe from our range, a wrung-out or dry cloth, as long as you remove dust and stains from the surfaces. 
    
3. Vacuum: First, beat the car mats. Then use a vacuum cleaner to quickly remove dust and dirt from the seats and floors. The longer dirt and grime are allowed to remain, the more they will stick, and the longer it will take to remove them in the end. You may want to keep a small and handy handheld vacuum cleaner from our selection in the boot so that you can quickly pick up dirt and other small debris when you spot it. 
     
4. Clean windows and mirrors: Clean the windows to maintain a good view from the driver's seat. If you also want to ensure that you can see traffic through your mirrors, you should also remember to clean both the rear-view and side mirrors. You can simply use regular glass cleaner to clean windows and mirrors.  

The big seasonal clean  

A new season is the ideal time to clean your car thoroughly and make it shine like a new and well-maintained car again. When winter’s salt, dirt and moisture have taken their toll, it is important to tidy up and clean thoroughly. Whether you have a large or small car, a thorough interior cleaning is necessary from time to time to achieve a completely clean car. It may seem daunting, but we have made it easy by following this guide:   

1. Tidy up: Always start with a thorough tidy-up of the car. Remove all rubbish, old receipts and things that have accumulated over the winter. Maybe you still have the snow shovel in the boot or the ice scraper in the glove compartment. Remove all the things you don't need to drive around with in the season you are entering. 
     
2. Wash surfaces and doors: Next, it's time for a thorough interior wash of the car. Use a large bucket of soapy water or interior cleaner to wash all surfaces and remove dust and dirt. Remember to wring out the cloth well so that no water is left in the car, which will increase the level of moisture. If there are stains on the seats, use a textile cleaner for cars to remove them. Also, remember to wash the doors and get right down into the cup holder and glove compartment.
      
3. Thorough vacuuming: The next step to clean your car is to vacuum it thoroughly. Start by beating the car mats to remove dust, mud and other dirt. Then get started with the vacuum cleaner, and remember to vacuum both the mats and under the mats. Use different vacuum nozzles to get into all the nooks and crannies so that you remove all the small stones, crumbs and dust that have accumulated. If the vacuum cleaner cannot remove mud from the mats, wring out a cloth and wipe them down with it. Remember to vacuum the seats thoroughly as well. Don't forget the boot; it also needs a good vacuuming. Here, you should also remember to lift the floor and check for dirt.
     
4. Car care: Remember to take care of the surfaces, too; a good plastic or vinyl care product can work wonders and make your car look like new. The rubber seals around the doors may also need a little TLC – a little silicone spray can keep them supple and prevent cracks.
    
5. Clean windows and mirrors: Windows and mirrors should not be forgotten during the big seasonal clean. Thorough cleaning of the windscreen, rear window, all windows and rear-view and side mirrors not only ensures a clear view, but also gives the car a more polished look. Use a good glass cleaner and a microfibre cloth to avoid streaks. 

Once you have done all this, your car will feel like new again, and you can enjoy the season with a completely new car feeling. A thorough car clean is not only good for the appearance, but also for your driving experience and the life of your car.  

How to clean your car's exterior 

When it comes to car cleaning, exterior cleaning is one of the most important things you can do to keep your car in top condition. A clean car not only looks good, but it also protects the paintwork and extends the life of your car. But are you tired of waiting in long queues at the car wash to get your car cleaned on the outside? Then read on and get our best tips for cleaning the exterior of your car. You can always ask your family if they want to help, which will make cleaning a little more fun and take less time.   

1. Preparation: Before you start, make sure you have all the necessary equipment. You will need a bucket, a soft sponge or washing glove, car shampoo, a pressure washer or garden hose and a few microfibre cloths. Don't forget wheel and tyre brushes if you want to do the whole job.
     
2. Rinse the car thoroughly: Start by rinsing the car with water to remove loose dirt and grime. Use a pressure washer or garden hose to rinse from top to bottom. Rinsing the car before cleaning will give you the gentlest car wash, as it increases the chance of avoiding scratches when you start washing the car.
     
3. 3, 2, 1, wash!: Fill a bucket with water and add the recommended amount of car shampoo. Dip your sponge or wash mitt into the mixture and start washing the car section by section. Start at the top and work your way down to avoid dirt running down onto areas that are already clean – remember to get into all the nooks and crannies of the car. Make sure you have an extra bucket of clean water next to you so you can rinse your sponge or wash mitt to remove any dirt. 
    
4. Rinse and dry the car - After you have washed the entire car thoroughly, it must be rinsed thoroughly to remove all soap residue. When rinsing the car, you can also see if you have forgotten to wash it in some places. Again, rinse it from top to bottom to ensure that no soap residue remains on the car. Use microfibre cloths or microfibre towels to dry the car. Microfibre is gentle on the paintwork and does not leave streaks. The car should be dried from top to bottom, and we recommend that you start with the roof, continue to the windows, then the sides, and finish by drying the front and boot. It is a good idea to remember to turn or fold the cloths or towels to dry in the gentlest way possible and reduce the risk of scratches.
     
5. Wheel and tyre care: Your wheels and tyres also deserve a little love. Use a special wheel and tyre brush together with a good wheel cleaner for your car. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a microfibre cloth.
     
6. Exterior car care: To give your car the ultimate finish, you can choose to wax and polish it. This protects the paintwork and gives a beautiful shine. Apply wax to the car with an applicator and polish with a clean microfibre cloth.  

With these simple steps, you can ensure that your car will shine. Car cleaning does not have to be a tedious task. As long as you have the right products and techniques, cleaning becomes a breeze. So get started and give your entire car the attention it deserves!

Save on your water bill and wash your car when it rains  

Have you ever thought about how much water you use to clean the outside of your car? What if we told you that you could save both time and money by washing your car when it rains? Washing your car in the rain can actually be a pretty brilliant solution.   

When it rains, you get natural help from above. The rainwater can help loosen dirt and grime from the surface of your car, which means you don't have to spend as much of your own time and energy rinsing and scrubbing. What's more, rainwater is free, so you save money on your water bill. Simply follow the above guide to cleaning the exterior of your car and take advantage of the rainy weather instead of getting out the garden hose or pressure washer.