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During the winter months here in Iowa, we sometimes overlook the cleanliness of our cars, but once spring arrives, we see the remains of winter smeared all over the car. The dirty, wet snow and grime packed into every nook and cranny, salt stains embedded in the floor mats, and the dust build-up on the air vents as they worked hard to keep you warm last winter. Not to mention, the grime that has built up on the exterior of the vehicle, dulling the sparkle and shine of your wheels and the power of your headlights.

Here are a few tips for spring cleaning your vehicle. Take advantage of the extra time you have at home to tackle this task and make your vehicle look like new again!

1. Get rid of the trash. During the winter, stuff – like gym equipment, hockey gear, hats, gloves, water bottles, and snack wrappers can pile up in the car. Take a trash bag and empty laundry basket out to your car and sort through all the unnecessary items. Use the laundry basket to put the random items that you collected that need sorted and put away, then get rid of the trash.

2. Clean the floor mats. The floor mats probably take the brunt of the dirt and grime. If your floor mats are rubber, give them a good scrubbing outside and let them dry. If your mats are fabric, vacuum them to remove as much dirt and debris as possible. You can spray any stains or dirty spots with stain-remover, throw them in the wash, then hang them out to dry.

3. Vacuum. If you don’t have a vacuum at home with a hose on it, some car washes have vacuums you can use. This is an important step, so take your time and make sure you vacuum under and in between the seats taking care to get in all the nooks and crannies, cup holders, pockets, etc.

4. Dust, clean and polish. Start with a lint-free dust rag or feather duster and go over the dash to clear away the dust. Next use an all-purpose cleaner and wipe down the dash, doors, cupholders, etc. Once everything is clean, make everything shine like new with a little Armor All.

5. Make the outside shine like new. Once the interior is sparkling clean, it’s time to do the same to the outside. Get a bucket of warm soapy water and a large soft sponge to thoroughly scrub the exterior. Use a hose to rinse. The tires will probably need a scrub brush, taking care not to scratch the wheels.

6. Clean the windows. Lastly clean the windows, inside and out taking care get all the streaks off the windshield so your vision will be clear.

7. Stop by HTS for the finishing touches. Make sure all necessary spring maintenance services are up to date. Maintenance items such as oil change, new cabin air filter, and windshield wiper blades should be replaced.

Happy spring cleaning! Contact Hilltop Tire Service to schedule your spring maintenance services. This will ensure your vehicle is running at peak performance.