#JiffyHacks: 10 Quick Tips to Spring Clean Your Car

The harsh cold, icy and salty elements of good ol’ Jack Frost sure can be a pain in the automobile. A good deep clean doesn’t have to mean hours and hours of scrubbing to get your car back into mint condition. For instance, motivation can be sparked from something as simple as just clearing out those coffee cups and half-empty water bottles that notoriously end up rolling under the seat.

Read on for some #JiffyHacks and let’s drive on into spring, rejuvenated and refreshed.

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#JiffyHack1

No matter how diligently you try, your car always seems to be a catchall for trash and unnecessary belongings. Once you have removed all the clutter and junk from your car, prevent it from building up again by using a cereal container as a spill-free trash can.

#JiffyHack2

Who wants to clean their car windows in the winter? We sure don’t! Now that the warmer weather is upon us, get those windows sparkling by using old newspaper instead of paper towel. You’ll get a streak-free shine while being green and recycling. That’s a win-win!

#JiffyHack3

Nobody likes to have to re-do things. When detailing your car’s interior, start from the top and work your way down, saving glass cleaning and shampooing for last. As an added little extra, keep your vacuum close to the dusting tool you’re using, as it will help to eliminate that extra debris floating around (which will inevitably land back on your freshly clean surface).

#JiffyHack4

Getting into the nooks and crannies will provide you with that extra clean, fresh off the lot look. Next time you clean those pesky places such as, the dash vents, power window buttons and gear shifter, try using household items like a Q-tip, sponge-tipped paintbrush, or even a screwdriver with a cloth wrapped around the end.

#JiffyHack5

The centre console of your car almost seems to double as a catch basin for that hard to remove grit and grime. Help save yourself the headache of getting into this tough cleaning area by placing silicon cupcake liners in your cup holders. May we recommend having two sets, so when one gets grubby just replace and wash the old ones next time your doing dishes.

#JiffyHack6

It’s a common problem when vacuuming to never feel like you’ve sucked up all of those fine particles, but worry no more! Before you vacuum, give your interior a quick once over with a soft bristled brush. It will help to loosen up that stubborn debris, giving your car a professionally detailed look.

#JiffyHack7

Want a cheap, inexpensive and readily available deodorizer for your car? Baking soda is a staple item in most households, but we bet you didn’t know that you could use it to deodorize your car as well. Lightly sprinkle your favourite brand of baking soda onto the upholstery and carpets of your car, wait 15 minutes and then vacuum. Now that’s freshness, in a Jiffy.

#JiffyHack8

Salt stains are any car interiors winter nemesis. You can luckily get rid of minor salt stains on your own with a spray bottle filled with a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water. First, you will want to saturate the stain, but not totally soak it. Next gently buff the area, however you will want to avoid scrubbing, as that will force the salt deeper into the carpet fibres. Once the salt is loosened, dab the area with a clean cloth or paper towel to lift the grim and moisture.

#JiffyHack9

Shiny hair, shiny car — that’s right, conditioner isn’t limited to your locks! After giving your car a good bath, smooth a mixture of water and conditioner (2:1 ratio) over the exterior with a clean microfiber cloth. Finish it off with a good rinse and towel dry for a sparkling shine.

#JiffyHack10

Build up of brake dust and road gunk have your rims reminiscing about the days when they were oh so fresh and clean? Have them looking spiffy in a jiffy with a mixture of a half-cup of baking soda, one-tablespoon of dish soap and two cups of warm water. Scrub your rims and tires using a sponge or cloth and then give ’em a good rinse. For more steadfast stains, let the mixture sit for a few minutes prior to cleaning.

DIY isn’t for everyone. Treat your vehicle to its very own spa day at one of our Suds locations!

We hope these quick tips help you spring forward into a crisp, clean car. For more tips on how to #LeaveWinterBehind, be sure to follow us on Twitter at @JiffyLubeON !

Drive in. Drive on.