There really is a method to the madness of washing a car well:
First try to get your car into a shady area. Without shade, your car will dry too fast, leaving sudsy streaks and water marks. Next, fill a bucket with hot water (the hotter, the better) and pour several capfuls of liquid soap (dish soap works fine) into the bucket while the water is running. Drop a sponge or washrag into the bucket and get a dry microfiber cloth or chamois (or bath towel if you’re in a pinch).
Start by spraying the roof of your car with water using a garden hose and then scrub the roof with a soapy sponge. Rinse the soap off with water. The trick is to repeat this process for the the hood, windshield, rear, bumpers, and sides of the car without allowing the car to dry before you can rinse all the soap off. I live in Hawaii and drive a big truck so I have to rinse more often between scrubbing. Continue by scrubbing the tires with a soapy bristle brush, being careful not to scratch your wheels if they are chrome. Wash the wheels too and then rinse all the wheels at one time.
If you live in the right climate, you might get away with soaping down the entire car and then rinsing just once, however I would stick to the more detailed method above if you want a more thorough wash. Next, dry off the car using your dry towel which will help avoid water spots. After testing numerous products, I’ve found that a product called “Hard Water Stain Remover (Paste)” by Bio-Clean works best for hard water spots on the windows. For water spots on the car’s paint, you can try applying several coats of wax (which can be painfully time consuming). If this doesn’t work, your only other option is to have them buffed out by a professional detailer. Wax your car at least twice a year (every 6 months) using a good wax like Mothers or Turtle Wax. Waxing individual sections (ex: hood, fender, door, trunk, etc.,) between washes will take the monotony out of doing an entire wax job all at once.
You also might decide to use some chrome, aluminum, or mag polish to shine up any metal trim or wheels.
When cleaning the inside of your car, start by using a glass cleaner that doesn’t streak on the windows. next, use a vacuum with a hose to clean any other loose debris on the seats or carpet. Follow that up with a cleaner like Armor All Protectant on any vinyl and plastic parts and Armor All Leather on any leather parts. Lastly, Armor All Carpet and Upholstery works well on your seats and any other fabric that needs cleaning.
Because a job like this could take up to an entire day for a single person, feel free to skip a step or two and leave them for the next wash. However, following these instructions in order will prevent you from having to backtrack and will save time.
