How to Wash Your Car at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ah, the humble do-it-yourself car wash. One driver’s calming weekend ritual can be another person’s dreaded task. So, how do we make it as efficient, enjoyable, and, of course, clean as possible? Read on for our step-by-step guide to the best way to wash your car at home…

What You Need to Wash Your Car at Home

Any maintenance job, however great or small, requires a carefully-selected list of tools. 

When it comes to washing your car at home, the supplies are readily available. Let’s go through precisely what we need:

Hose / Pressure Washer

A steady stream of water is the perfect companion once you’ve started washing your vehicle. Depending on the scope and state of the task at hand, you may need something more powerful than the standard garden hose to get around all the cracks and crevices. If that’s the case, consider picking up a pressure washer to blast the peskier grime away. 

Rubber Gloves

Optional, but a decent way of stopping your fingers from doing their best impression of raisins. 

Buckets

Yes, plural. You’ll need one bucket full of soapy water to wash the car with, and a second bucket filled with good old-fashioned plain warm water to rinse out your sponge, clearing it of potentially paint-scratching dirt and debris. 

Car Wash Soap

Speaking of keeping your paint looking pristine, be sure to use purposely-created car wash soap, as usual household products run the risk of stripping or damaging the finish. 

Microfiber Cloth

In line with the above, a microfiber cloth is a softer and gentler option than a generic sponge or everyday towel, and it’s great at picking up loose dirt without scratching up your precious car.

Glass Cleaner

If you really want your windows to sparkle, consider a specially formulated glass cleaning spray. 

Wheel Cleaner

As with the designated car wash soap, wheel cleaner liquid is guaranteed to shine up your wheels better than a basic dish soap option. It’s also a good call to grab yourself a…

Wheel Brush

The right kind of brush to scrub and clean the wheels is essential. 

Car Polish

If you wish to leave an extra - and shiny - tint behind. 

Car Wash Kit 

All of the above and some more besides should be standard issue as part of a specially designed home car wash kit. A good option if you want to cover all the bases and ensure that all of the car’s surfaces are taken care of. 

Prepping Your Car for a Wash

You’ve gathered your list of essentials and now you’re a one-person cleaning army. But don’t just dive in without a plan. Let’s approach this thing smartly. 

Am I Allowed Wash my Car at Home?

It’s worth checking if you’re not entirely sure. Local regulations - such as washing the car on a public road - may apply. And with that in mind…

Choose Your Location Carefully

If you do have a wealth of freedom when it comes to where you can physically set about washing your vehicle, take a moment to think about the environment. 

If you’re parked in blazing sunshine, it is likely to dry too fast, leaving behind spots and streaks. A flat surface is also best practice, to avoid unwanted pools of water building up around you.

Inspect Your Car Thoroughly

Don’t even think about lobbing a wet sponge onto your windshield if it’s got stray leaves or other clutter for company. Take a few minutes to clear the exterior of the car of excess dirt and debris. 

Identify Unique Issues

Is there an area outside or inside the vehicle that is going to require more attention and elbow grease than somewhere else? Make sure you have the right equipment to sort it out, if so. 

Arrange Your Tools

You’ve gone to the trouble of putting together a collection of essential supplies - keep them close and compact, so you don’t need to go looking for something at the last minute. And remember, two buckets - one for soapy water, one for non-soapy water. 

Washing Your Car

Okay, let’s scrub up. Let’s go step-by-step on this part:

1. Spray: Begin by spraying the entire exterior of your car with your hose or power washer.
   
   
2. Start at the Top: Using your car wash soap or wax of choice, start off with the top of the vehicle and work downwards to avoid tracking dirt into spaces you’ve already cleaned.
   
   
3. Wipe: Separate your cleaning into segments - roof, doors, etc - and wipe each area down thoroughly one at a time, drying each section with a microfiber cloth to avoid streaks left behind. Don’t allow soap to dry on the car. 
   
   
4. Windows / Mirrors: Remember to use your glass cleaner fluid on these. 
   
   
5. Leave No Trace: Concentrate cleaning on every accessible part of the car, not just easy surface areas - pay attention to cracks and hinges when opening and closing doors.
   
   
6. Wheels: Likely the most challenging aspect of the whole operation, your wheels and tires are natural magnets for dirt. As such, adopt an energetic approach with your specially designed cleaner and brush. 
   
   
7. Spray (Again): It’s now time to rinse the entire thing off, from the top down, blasting away all soap particles in the process. 

Drying Your Car

Now that everything looks suitably sleek and shiny, set about drying your car properly. 

• Use a spotless microfiber cloth or towel and take care how you apply it - patting areas softly is much less likely to scratch paint off the surface than dragging the material across in hurried swipes. 
  
  
• If you have a leaf blower or air blower, consider using it to remove any stubborn excess water that might be pooling around crevices - make sure the air is clean, of course. 
  
  
• When it comes to drying the wheels, use a new, clean cloth or towel to avoid spreading dirt from one part of the vehicle to another, and to cut out the risk of scratching the finish. 
  
  
• If possible, park the car in the shade so that sunlight doesn’t dry it too quickly. 

Cleaning the Car Interior

We’re not done yet, as it turns out - there’s also the inside of the car to take care of. 

• Start by removing any unnecessary items or valuables that could get damaged during the cleaning process - electronic devices and cleaning fluids tend not to mix well, for a start.
  
  
• This applies to the glove compartment, seats, floor, the boot, and any other areas that might house items. You’re going to clean every square inch of the interior, so there’s no place for clutter. 
  
  
• The quickest way to go about this task is also thankfully the most efficient - dig out your extension lead and connect your household hoover to it before vacuuming up all the dirt and dust inside your car. If you have floor mats or other accessories, tackle them separately.
  
  
• Depending on the material of your seats, you may need a unique cleaner. Fabric, leather, vinyl… make sure you don’t harm the surface with your approach. 
  
  
• When it comes to hardware like the steering wheel, gear stick, and seat belts, the same ‘what material am I dealing with?’ rule applies, but also be mindful that these are three of the areas your hands touch the most, so don’t hesitate to scrub hard and remove lingering dirt and germs. 

Final Touches

You’re just about done, but if you feel like adding an aesthetically pleasing flourish or two, consider the following additional touches: 

• Wax / Polish: To give your vehicle that little extra shine. 
  
  
• Individual Parts: Don’t just focus on the paint, take the time to spruce up component parts. A metal-friendly polish will make your exhaust and wheel rims sparkle, while a tyre shine spray, wax, or paste will add gloss and help block out UV rays, preventing cracks.
  
  
• Air Freshener: To keep the inside of your car nicely aromatic.

Washing your car at home doesn't have to be a chore. By following these simple steps and using the right tools and techniques, you can achieve a professional-looking clean. So, grab your supplies, put on some music, and give your car the spa treatment it deserves!

And while you're taking care of your car's exterior, don't forget about protecting it on the road. Check out AIG's comprehensive car insurance plans for peace of mind and reliable coverage.