Here in T3 Atlanta, we often get asked a number of questions that range from the complicated to the “oh I never really thought of it like that”. Questions such as, “How long until I come back for another check?” to “How often should you wash your car?”, the latter being a common yet often difficult question to answer.

The thing is, depending on who you talk to, the answer to how often you should get your car washed can differ from daily to weekly to “when you feel like it”. That’s why instead of just answering your question, let’s try to talk about cleaning your car in general.

Why You Need to Clean Your Car

When you got your first car, your mom/dad/uncle/aunt probably told you to always clean your car mostly because they think it shows what kind of person you are. But aside from the aesthetic and social reasons, you have to realize that a clean car is a healthy car.

When you clean your car, you are not just making sure the Johnsons next door stop thinking you didn’t get that promotion. It also shows that you, as a person, respect your car and that you are taking good care of your machine.

How Often Should You Wash Your Car?

The idea is to wash your car regularly. However, regular differs from person to person. We often recommend washing your car at least every two weeks. This is recommended for people who don’t use their cars often and are living in areas with little to no hazards to the car (salt from the ocean for example).

If you do use your car every day, you might want to do a maintenance wash every few days while doing a thorough one at least once in two weeks. The maintenance wash ensures that your car is presentable enough to drive daily while the thorough wash lets you work on the accumulated dirt and grime on those hard to reach areas.

Car Washing Tips

People wash their cars differently. Some just go to the car wash while others like doing it on their very own homes. While there’s no “best” way to do it, there are some tips in washing a car that you should never forget. Here’s a short list for you.

• Pick the right soap: We want our car to look clean and shiny, so we listen to the age-old advice of using dish soap. While it does a good job in stripping away grease and wax, it’s a double-edged sword. As a result, the color of the car might dull and it will lose its shine. Always use soap that is formulated especially for cars, this ensures that the car retains its color and shine.
• Don’t let anything drop to the ground: Dropped your washing mitt? Don’t use it on the car right away. We can’t count how many clients have approached us regarding minor scratches on their cars due to this mistake. When your cleaning materials drop to the ground, they might gather debris that can end up ruining your ride. Find a different mitt or wash it thoroughly before using again.
• Use the power of steam: Got questionable odors inside your car? Before you go and grab the deodorizer, you might want to use steam or other waterless products first. The heat from the steam wash kills all bacteria in your car that can cause the odors. A steam wash is perfect if you accidents such as liquid or food spills are frequent inside your car. Another option is to opt for waterless car detailing or wash that cleans the interior of your car using highly concentrated chemicals. The results are undeniable and they often leave a nice smell.
• Don’t just spray deodorizer: Eager to use a deodorizer to finally say goodbye to that ominous odor coming from the back seat? Make sure you do it right. Start your engine and turn on the AC. Make sure the AC is on fresh air setting. Spray the deodorizer in the intakes of your car. While a bit more complicated, this allows the deodorizer to mix with the fresh air and helps it circulate in and around the inside of your car.

Don’t Forget to Wax

If you are not a big fan of washing your car frequently, having your car waxed can extend the time between washes. With a wax coating, your car will look shiny and new. A wax coating also protects the paint and prevent unwanted etching. A waxed up car is also easier to clean up as you can just easily wipe away dirt, grime, or sap.

Keep Your Car in Great Shape with T3 Atlanta

Your car can look perfect on the outside, but it’s important to make sure the inside of your car looks great too. Whether you need routine maintenance or more in-depth attention, call T3 Atlanta. We service Lexus, Infiniti, Nissan, and Toyota vehicles in Atlanta. We’ll make sure your car is working flawlessly to match how great it looks.