These are the items that should be in every car cleaning kit

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A car cleaning kit is essential to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape. That’s because proper car maintenance also includes caring for the vehicle in ways other than basic repairs. For example, washing your car regularly helps protect the finish and also ensures it looks its best. Actively choosing not to wash your car may eventually result in damage. Nasties like dirt, pollen, grime, and other debris build up over time, which can be acidic and corrosive, not just for the outer coat, but also the car’s shell and sometimes other components.

Cleaning the interior of the vehicle is another example. It’s something you should be doing often. These actions do have a tangible impact on the vehicle’s value, as well. If a car is not well-kept, the value depreciates faster, which can be a problem if you need to sell or trade the car.

Either way, you should be using preventative care on your vehicle as much as possible, which includes cleaning it up. Outside of soap, sponges, and access to water, it might not be evident what you should include in a car cleaning kit. What else do you need to consider?

What should be in every car cleaning kit

If you’re a parent, you’re likely prepared for anything already. For everyone else, it helps to have a quick checklist. So, let’s run down all the items you should keep in your car cleaning kit. Whether this kit is meant to be used at home, or you pack it away to take with you to the local car wash, let’s start with the basics.

1. The bare necessities

Some obvious supplies you might want to include in a car cleaning kit are a bucket, a sponge or brush, reliable soap (sometimes called car shampoo), and a microfiber drying towel or chamois.

The towel is more important than you realize. When you’re done cleaning, you can use it to wipe off the outer coat, so you don’t leave wet spots — they can cause damage and etch the paint when left too long.

2. Interior cleaning spray

While many focus on cleaning the outside of the vehicle, the inside deserves a detailing, too. A good, reliable interior cleaning spray offers a multi-purpose way to wipe down every surface inside and remove dust, dirt, and debris build-up. More importantly, it may also offer deodorizing properties to help your car smell brand new.

3. A reliable vacuum

You can’t clean out the inside of a car without some powerful suction. That’s precisely why car washes always have vacuums somewhere handy. With one of your own, like a Shop-Vac, you can really beat back some of that dirtiness. Don’t forget to vacuum between the seat crevices, the floors, under the mats, and in areas you wouldn’t normally consider, like under the front seats.

4. Glass cleaner

You could use a multi-purpose cleaner on the glass, but it’s probably going to leave behind streaks. Just like water spots aren’t good for your car’s paint, those streaks aren’t good for the glass. They also make it more difficult to see, especially in the rain.

You’ll score bonus points, with yourself obviously, if you use a rain repellent glass cleaner. That will keep your windows and windshield free and clear even during torrential downpour.

5. Wax

A good wax coating before you dry your car will help keep the paint and finish glossy, elegant, and like-new. It’s actually pretty easy to apply too, whether you’re using the spray kind or the wipe-on kind.

Make sure the car is still wet, spray or apply the wax and then rub it in using a microfiber cloth. Keep an eye on areas that haven’t been waxed yet — you’ll see them fairly easily as the wax applies a unique texture. The thin layer of wax offers a degree of water repellant but also helps fend off UV rays from the sun.

6. Tire shine

If you take your car to get it professionally detailed, you’ll notice the tires always come back looking shiny and new. That’s thanks to tire shine, which you can pretty much spray on.

What you may not realize is this coating is also protective and keeps the rubber malleable and prevents dryness and cracking, especially when exposed to lots of sunlight. That can help prolong the life of your tires, which ultimately saves money and keeps maintenance costs lower.

7. An OBD2 car scanner

Also a necessary device to throw in your car cleaning kit is an OBD2 scanner like the Innova 1000. Alongside a tire pressure gauge, it can help you discern critical vehicle problems, some of which you’ll never know about other than seeing the check engine light.

Just as it’s good to check your tire pressures often, it’s also beneficial to check error codes for your vehicle. Plus, if you notice something awry, you can get it to a mechanic or repair shop sooner.

8. Optional: Bug and tar remover

Depending on where you live, bugs and tar might also be concerning. In Florida, and southern states, for instance, love bugs can be a serious problem during the spring and summer months.

Bug and tar remover helps remove, well, bugs and tar spots. You need to use it after a wash but before you apply a wax coat. It also helps to remove some of the tougher, goo-like stains and caked on dirtiness you might get on a vehicle’s front bumper.

Now, you’re all set

Provided you have everything listed here in your car cleaning kit, you’re all set to take on the monumental task of cleaning your vehicle. Who are we kidding, it’s not really monumental, just tedious at times. It’s all worth it, though, and it helps keep your vehicle in good shape and preserves its value.

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