Putting off taking your car to the car wash? Not in the mood to vacuum under the seats

right now? By putting off cleaning your car, you could be damaging it in ways you don’t

even realize. In case you need a little extra motivation to get out the sponge and the hose,

here’s just some of the ways cleaning your car will help keep it running for years to come.

The dirt and grime covering your car’s exterior is more than just an eyesore – it’s a threat

to its long-term health. Dirt, bird droppings, and other particles that build up on the

outside of a car act like sandpaper on a car’s paint job, scraping it away bit by bit. The

longer a car goes without being washed, the more the paint gets damaged.

A car’s paint does more than just give it color and shine. Paint also protects the body of a

car, keeping it from being exposed to the elements. When paint fades, chips, or scrapes

off and leaves the car body underneath uncovered, the car body itself can start to

corrode and rust, damaging the structural integrity of the vehicle.

Dirt, bird droppings, and other grime

picked up on the road aren’t the only

things that can build up on your car’s

exterior, or that can damage the paint.

Other threats to your car’s paint job

include:

• Abrasive sponges or cleaners,

including household detergent

• Sponges that have been dropped

on the ground or contain dirt

particles from other sources

• Water and soap spots

When washing your car’s exterior:

• Pre-rinse the car before washing.

• Wash and rinse the car in sections

to prevent soap from drying.

• Do not use old shirts or household

rags as sponges; use actual

scrubbing products designed to pick

up dirt and absorb water/soap.

• Do not use household detergent as

soap; it will strip the finish off the

paint, making it more vulnerable.

Of course, cleaning the

outside of your car is

only half the job.

Cleaning the inside of

your car is just as

important, and should

be done just as often.

That means not just

vacuuming and

emptying out the trash,

but also shampooing

the seats and carpets.

Think just giving the inside of

your car a quick vacuuming now

and then is enough to keep it

clean? When a car’s interior isn’t

thoroughly cleaned on a regular

basis, dirt, germs, and other

contaminants build up in the

carpets and fabrics. This can lead

to staining and faded coloring,

and even cause nasty smells to

build up in the car’s interior.

When cleaning the inside of your car:

• Vacuum under rugs and seats.

• Shampoo and clean the seats

and carpets regularly.

• For stains, clean directly with a

sponge and carpet/fabric

cleaner.

Follow these steps, and your car will

last longer, look better, and maintain

a higher resell value!

Desert Sun Motors is proud to be a leading automotive dealership

serving customers in Alamogordo, Roswell and Espanola NM, and

beyond. For a full selection of new, preowned and used GM, Cadillac,

Buick, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Rams, Chevys, Toyotas, Jeeps, and more,

visit www.desertsunmotors.com.