If you are cleaning your car at home, it is most likely to save an extra bit of money.
It can be quite easy to grab a sponge and some soapy water to give your car a quick wash.
However, an expert has revealed there are several things you might be doing while cleaning your car that can actually be damaging it and could cost you up to £3,000 in repairs.
Here are the four things you should avoid when cleaning your car to save up to £3,000.
Expert reveals car cleaning habits that are causing more harm than good
IronOffroad’s resident motoring expert, Dale Gillespie, has revealed the four common habits people do when washing their car that could be ruining it.
Washing up liquid
Washing up liquid is great at getting rid of grease but that is why you should not be using it on your car.
Detergents and degreasers that break down oils can strip away protective paint layers and leave your car vulnerable to salt and moisture.
Dale said: “Once you start compromising the protection on painted surfaces, you’re giving corrosion a much easier route in.”
Minor paint repairs can cost £150 to £300, but if you leave the paint damage for too long, it can cause your wheel arches, sills, and boot floor to rust, which will cause you to have a bill of £3,000 or more to fix it.
Sponges
Sponges are what most people reach for when washing their car, but they can get dirt lodged inside them.
When you drag this along the surface of your car, it can cause the paintwork to be scratched.
Dale added: “Using a proper wash mitt is a much safer bet.
“It’s the best way to keep grit away from the surface.”
Washing microfibre cloths with fabric softener
If you use microfibre cloths to clean your car, you should avoid washing them with fabric softener.
Dale said: “Fabric softener and dryer sheets can leave a waxy residue on microfibre cloths.
“This clogs their fibres so they stop absorbing properly, which means that they’ll leave streaks.”
You can fix a microfibre cloth by washing it on a hot wash, doing an extra rinse cycle, and air drying it.
Washing microfibre cloths with cotton towels
You also should not wash microfibre cloths with cotton towels.
Cotton sheds lint, which can become trapped in the microfibre cloths and stop them from absorbing water.
Will you avoid making these mistakes when washing your car in the future? Let us know in the comments.
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