There’s more to washing your car than a sponge and a bucket of soapy water. In fact, washing your car this way can end up damaging it rather than helping it. Instead, there are a few steps you can follow to preserve your vehicle in top shape.
Clean obvious stains as soon as you notice them, even if you’re not ready to give your car a full wash just yet. This is especially true of bird droppings and other acidic elements, which can eat into the paint if left on it for too long. Use a soft sponge and water to clear the stains completely.
Rinse your vehicle after a heavy snowstorm or a drive near the beach. Both sand and salt (used on icy streets) can damage paint and metal.
Use only cleaners especially designed to wash cars. Home detergents and laundry products can be too harsh on the metal and might dull or damage the paint. The same is true of the type of cloth you use to soap and then dry the car. A regular sponge would work fine or you can use any type of cloth that doesn’t produce lint as it gets wet.
Finally, make sure you rinse the sponge often so there’s no risk of your picking up dust particles or debris that could scratch the car when rubbed against it. If your car is too dirty, use a hose to rinse it off first so you get rid of all loose debris and prevent scratching.