ALT-3 Spring Cleaning Ideas for your Car
So you're thinking of spring cleaning your car? Take some advice before you get started!
Tip Number One: Don't wait until it is spring! The interior of your car will benefit from a periodic going-over - especially if you have children and especially if you have been on holiday, or a long journey with your children.
Tip Number Two: If you really haven't checked the oil and tyre pressures since last spring it is DEFINITELY time to do it again. While you are with the exterior of the car briefly move to the headlights and indicators. Clean them and check them; they may help keep you safer!
Tip Number Three: As you move inside the car, start with the "essential" areas. These are any areas that contribute to the safety of the car - such as front windscreens, dashboards and interior mirrors. Get those thumb prints off and those left over marks from the GPS so that you can see clearly . Secure any internal fixings that might be flapping around and which could distract a driver.
Tip Number Four: Move to those areas that represent increased "comfort" for the driver. This might mean straightening out the compartment in the driver's door so nothing pokes into them; getting the sticky bit off the steering wheel and generally making it more pleasant to be sitting in the driver seat.
Tip Number Five: Move to the passengar's side of the car. Perform a similar operation, even think about giving the seats a wipe over with a damp cloth to get rid of the dust or splashed bevereges that might have stained the covers.
Tip Number Six: Go to the glove box. Have you got anything in there that you don't really need? Is anything missing that you do need? Hairbrush, spare knickers, nail scissors, sunglasses (prescription if necessary),plasters,thread and scissors. Sort it out!
Tip Number Seven: Move to the back seats. If you have children involve them in the process. Ask them to take everything out - from water bottles to books and pens, old sweet wrappers and rotting apple cores. They will love seeing their space getting tidy (eventually!). Once everything is removed you can assess whether it needs a vacuum clean or brush out; intensive scrub or just a wipe over. Then do it. Leave it empty and stress that nothing is to be left in the back for at least 1 week.
Tip Number Eight: Move to the boot. If your little helpers are still about they may be able to help carry in old shopping bags; spare hats; ropes; oil and anything else that you've left in the boot. Then start again. You may need to vacuum the boot out too and hunt for an old cloth or boot liner to put down before anything goes back. Assess what you really need but don't forget those essentials that make road-side emergencies a little more pleasant.
Tip Number Nine: Take an overall look at the car. Are there any remaining unpleasant features - like odors, tears and dirty corners - that you really don't like, wouldn't normally worry about but which in the overhaul can think about improving? You might just find that $1 note too!
Tip Number Ten: Enjoy the feeling of driving the vehicle with a short test run to fill up with petrol and test it all out!
Motoring will be safer and more enjoyable with regular attention to your vehicle! Enjoy!
