As fall steps in to chase off the retreating back of summer, temperatures drop, gloomier weather abounds, and your car cleaning needs also shift. Here are 6 easy hacks you can do to keep your car spiffy and fall-ready:
1. Clear Out Leaves and Debris
The fall season means more leaves than usual drop over your car. Leaves can build up around the windshield and wipers and under the hood. Wet leaves easily cling to car parts, and dry leaves crumble. Both of these conditions can clog vents, drainage, and crucial airways in your vehicle. Water buildup from clogs can seep into places it shouldn’t, leading to leaks and rust if left unchecked.
What to Do:
Use a soft brush or compressed air to gently clear out leaves and dirt. Pay attention to small crevices like the windshield cowl and wiper wells, and don’t forget to run a sweep under the hood. Make a point to check these areas regularly throughout the season.
2. Vacuum and Clean the Interior
During the fall, you bring dirt, wet leaves, and moisture into your car every time you step inside. This debris and dampness will inevitably get trapped in the vehicle’s carpets and upholstery, potentially leading to stains, bad odors, and mold if left untreated—not the best way to spend time driving, especially when unpleasant smells become more noticeable.
Excess moisture can also damage your car’s interior over time, particularly as temperatures drop, as cycles of thawing and freezing can wear down carpet materials faster.
What to Do:
The simplest remedy is regular vacuuming and wipe-downs. This keeps your car’s interior fresh and free from fall debris and stains. To tackle lingering odors, sprinkle a bit of baking soda onto the carpets before vacuuming. The baking soda helps absorb smells and leaves your car smelling clean. You could also invest in rubber floor mats to protect your car’s carpets from mud, moisture, and dirt when rainfalls become more frequent.
3. Clean Windows for Crisp Visibility
While fall brings the beauty of red and gold foliage, it also comes with shorter days and frequently overcast skies, which can make driving more challenging. Clear windshields and windows become increasingly crucial for optimal visibility, especially in low light or rainy weather. Dirty, streaky windows can blur vision and make it harder to see other vehicles or road hazards.
What to Do:
For a streak-free clean, you don’t even need specialized soaps. A simple mixture of vinegar and water works just as well. This eco-friendly solution cuts through grime without leaving residue. When cleaning, be sure to focus on the inside of the windows, too, as this helps prevent fogging which can occur more frequently as the temperatures cool.
4. Polish and Protect the Exterior
Your car exterior is meant to withstand the changing seasons, but that doesn’t mean that it’s immune to the harshness that fall can bring. Rain, tree sap, bird droppings, and falling debris can stick to your car’s surface, potentially damaging the paintwork if not properly cleaned. Over time, these elements can erode the finish, dulling the paint and making your vehicle look older than it is.
Protecting your car’s exterior against the damaging elements of the fall season will help keep it looking new and guard against long-term damage.
What to Do:
Apply a quick DIY wax layer with a microfiber cloth to create a protective barrier that’ll help repel water, dirt, and contaminants. The wax layer not only protects your car from fall’s harsh elements but also makes it easier for you to clean dirt and debris later on.
5. Freshen Up Your Air Vents
As temperatures drop in the fall, you’ll likely use your car’s heater more frequently.
However, dust and debris from dry leaves and dirt can accumulate in the air vents over time. This may affect your vehicle’s air quality, leading to foul odors or even triggering allergies, making your drive less comfortable. Keeping the air vents clean ensures you’re breathing fresh, clean air.
What to Do:
You can use a foam paintbrush to easily reach inside the air vents and clear out accumulated dust and dirt. After that, spray a disinfectant to help eliminate mold or mildew that may have developed, keeping your car’s air fresh and healthy.
6. Clean Headlights for Better Visibility
Clear, bright headlights are vital for safe driving through fall’s foggy mornings and quicker onset of dusk. However, headlights can become dull and cloudy over time, reducing their brightness and making it harder to see at night or during foggy conditions.
Dull headlights also make it more difficult for other drivers to see you, increasing the risk of accidents. So, keeping them clean and bright ensures maximum visibility for both you and other drivers.
What to Do:
There are several ways to clean headlights. A simple DIY trick with household items is to use toothpaste or baking soda paste to scrub away the cloudy film on your headlights. Once you’ve cleaned the headlights, buff them with a microfiber cloth to restore their shine and clarity so they can provide the best possible illumination.