Keeping Your Car Clean During the Winter Months

The cold months in the UK take a toll on every car. The icy roads and changing weather conditions on cold mornings can make life very difficult for motorists who have to drive from point A to B for work reasons. During cold snaps, it can also be very difficult to keep cars clean and presentable.

From road salt and dirt to slush and snow, these elements can make vehicles barely recognisable at times. As such, it’s best to be prepared and take a few steps to reduce the time you spend on your car cleaning sessions when the temperature is at its lowest. Here, we have gathered some helpful winter car care tips to keep your car in good condition.

The cold months in the UK take a toll on every car. The icy roads and changing weather conditions on cold mornings can make life very difficult for motorists who have to drive from point A to B for work reasons. During cold snaps, it can also be very difficult to keep cars clean and presentable.

From road salt and dirt to slush and snow, these elements can make vehicles barely recognisable at times. As such, it’s best to be prepared and take a few steps to reduce the time you spend on your car cleaning sessions when the temperature is at its lowest. Here, we have gathered some helpful winter car care tips to keep your car in good condition.

Wax your car regularly

Think of all the salt, grit, and other rubbish thrown at your car on your daily drives. Its paintwork could do better with an extra layer of protection, which is something that not a little wax can’t provide. It doesn’t just protect against dirt but also protect the paintwork against the corrosive properties of road salt.

It’s better to wax before the mercury drops to its lowest, but it’s never too late to give your car a good cleaning and waxing session if you haven’t already. You want to use a quality car wax that contains a polymer compound designed to act as a sealant, and choosing one should be easy as there are countless kinds and brands available. Just make sure to give your vehicle a thorough waxing session.

Use a pressure wash and snow foam lance

Have you got a pressure washer and a snow foam lance stored somewhere? If so, bring them out and use them as often as you can to get the worst of the grime and salt off.

Don’t worry if you haven’t used this method before. All you have to do is leave your car coated in a thick layer of the stuff and let it do its thing for a little while. Then, rinse off both the soap and the grime. You can use a normal garden hose if you don’t have a pressure washer.

This takes care of most of the abrasive road grit you’d otherwise be rubbing into the paintwork, so do this before giving your car a full wash. Focus on areas where muck usually accumulate as this means moisture and rust. A simple snow foam treatment and a nice protective layer of wax should be all you need to get your vehicle cleaned to a satisfactory level.

Use rubber floor mats instead of fabric ones

Instead of using fabric floor mats, consider using hard-wearing rubber versions. This sounds like an easy step, but not very many car owners do it. The great thing about rubber floor mats is that they’re cheap.

It makes practical sense to buy them as you won’t have to get them replaced whenever you jump into your car with muddy shoes. Fabric floor mats are good, but you’ll be worrying over mud stains and other stubborn stains that simply can’t be removed in one wash.

Dry your car properly

The most important part of car washing is drying, especially in winter. When it’s really cold, water is likely going to freeze the car doors shut, and that’s something you have to avoid. There are specific products available that ensure proper post-wash drying.

Your winter car care package should include a microfiber cloth, which works just as well as post-wash car products.

Store your car in the garage

Make sure you store your car in your garage. This is to protect it from the bitter cold. Do remember that heating the garage is not a good idea, though.

That’s because the moisture in the air increases, speeding up corrosion. Make sure that the temperature inside the garage is the same as it is outside (more or less).

Fit a quality set of mud flaps into your car

During the winter, car tyres throw a huge amount of dirty slush and salt onto the paintwork, which leads to heavy accumulations around the doors and wheel arches. You want to slow down this process. So, fit a quality set of mud flaps into your car and remember to clean them on your next car cleaning session.

Reduce your speeds

You should always drive with care and reduce your speeds. Take some time to make manoeuvres during cold snaps to reduce the salty spray that’s thrown up from the wheels. You don’t want your vehicle to be sprayed with dirt, grit, and stones, so maintain safe distances between you and the cars in front of you.

Park wisely

Strategic parking is a good way of protecting your car from the elements. It doesn’t matter what time of day it is; you have to be strategic about where you park your car in the winter. If you can, park your car somewhere sheltered or alongside thick foliage or house.

When you choose your parking spot wisely, you are essentially limiting the amount of ice that forms on the windows.

Carry out checks regularly

Winter car checks are important. Make sure to check all fluid levels and tyre pressures regularly as they can be affected by low temperatures. Low winter sun and a dirty windshield are a bad combination as they can have a huge impact on road visibility. That is why screenwash is essential.

Also, carry the right supplies with you in case your car breaks down in the middle of the road. You can fill a small bag with a blanket, shovel, torch, high visibility jacket, tow bar, ice scraper, and extra screen wash. Or, you can call in a mobile car valet to carry out checks.

Keep Your Car Clean Through Winter

We hope you find these winter car care tips helpful. To keep your car clean during the cold winter months, take advantage of mobile valeting services. Andy’s Car Valeting offer car maintenance and cleaning services that are guaranteed to keep your car in excellent condition even in winter.