Want to maintain your car regularly, but on a tight budget? We’re here to help! Today, we’re bringing you a short list of tips, tricks, hacks and suggestions which will instantly improve your driving experience! Feel free to leave your own in the comments and let us know your convenient and money saving hacks for car maintenance.
Clean Your Wiper Blades Quickly and Easily - A bottle of isopropyl rubbing alcohol will go quite a long way on your car. Everything from tree sap removal to glass cleaning to wiper blade cleaning! Your car’s wiper blades can accumulate quite a bit of dirt, dust, and grime as they clear the glass for visibility. You can pour a little alcohol on the wiper blades and gently rinse with clear water to remove the outermost layer of dried rubber and gunk buildup.
Magic Eraser Cleaning Hacks - These sponges are incredibly abrasive and should not be used to wash your car nor used on tinted windows, but they’ll do an excellent job of cleaning the glass, removing grime from the wheels, and removing scuffs on your car paint. Magic Erasers do a wonderful job of removing “kid slime” and “doggy slobber” from the windows if you’ve been transporting your toddlers or pets! Dampen the sponge, and rub in a gentle circular motion to remove the sticky gunk from the glass. It’s also great for removing insect splatter, haze, and even smoke. You can use a damp magic eraser sponge to deep clean the wheel faces. Here’s some more great dos-and-donts for using Magic Erasers safely on your vehicle.
Toothpaste Headlight Restoration - This simple household item can take your headlights from foggy to fresh and clean in minutes! Choose a toothpaste meant for whitening and fighting tartar build up for your best results. Apply the toothpaste to a clean microfiber towel, then wipe the headlight casing in a circular motion. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then wipe with a clean, damp microfiber cloth and douse with clear water. Your headlights will appear good as new! Remember to add a thin coating of protective car wax to the outside to prevent further fogging and damage.
A DIY Car Air Freshener - Looking for a long term air freshener on a budget? The local dollar store has several items that can save you time and money! Grab a few packages of wax melts in your favourite scent, and a small mason jar that fits in your cupholder. Place the wax melts inside the jar and replace the lid. Using a hammer and nail or a small drill, create several small holes in the lid. Put the jar into your center console or cupholder, and on a warm or sunny day the wax will melt and release its scent, and it’ll harden and cool at night or in chillier weather.
Vinegar and Baking Soda for both Stain and Odor Removal - Everyone loves a good family road trip and making memories to last a lifetime. However, many hours on the road means more potential for fast food spills, mess and muck from the kiddos, and even fur and accidents from dear ol’ fido. But there’s good news! Those stains and smells don’t have to stick with you in the memory books. Pour some vinegar into a spray bottle and soak your car’s stained upholstery, then follow up with a spoonful of baking soda and scrub with a nylon cleaning brush or toothbrush. Wipe it off with some hot water and clean it up with a wet-dry vacuum! For stubborn, lingering odors, sprinkle the baking soda directly on the fabric or carpet and leave it to sit at least 15 minutes or overnight. The longer it’s left on the surface, the more it will absorb! You can then vacuum it up and spray it with a fabric refresher to reinvigorate the clean car aroma. Want to keep it fresh for the long haul? A small bowl or mason jar of baking soda in the cupholder can help!
