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It’s National Car Care Month. Here Are 5 Essential Car Cleaning Products You Need
Holli Fourniquet
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Here are some hot items for keeping your car looking sharp.
Keeping your car clean and well-maintained not only helps to keep it looking great, but it can also extend the life of your car, too. April is National Car Care Month, a time to focus on car cleaning. As the weather begins to warm up and we head into spring, it’s the perfect time to give your car its own spring cleaning. Because as we know, not all car maintenance is done under the hood. Making sure the paint is in good condition and the interior is free of grime will go a long way to keeping your car in overall great shape.
Editor’s note: This story contains affiliate links; A Girls Guide to Cars may make a commission from sales resulting from clicks to those links. So, click away!
All this had me thinking about the everyday car cleaning items that have become essential over the course of owning my own car. As a busy working mom, I understand how difficult it can be to keep up with car maintenance, which is why I’ve found some quick and affordable products that make a huge difference. Here are five essential car care products that I think every busy mom should own.
Related: Spring Car Care: 7 Ways To Prepare for Warmer Temperatures
Car care gel is is an easy, affordable to keep your car clean. Photo: Amazon
Car Cleaning Gel: Slime for Adults
If you’re like me, you’re always looking for ways to get rid of those pesky crumbs and dirt in the nooks and crannies of your car. That’s where cleaning gel for cars comes in handy. This gel is designed to reach all the tight spaces in your car, including air vents, cup holders, and door handles. It’s like Gak, but for your car (my fellow 90’s kids will know what I’m talking about). In fact, I’m convinced a mom stole her kid’s Gak for this very purpose, and now it’s hands-down the best cleaning product for your car.
Simply press the gel onto the surface and then pull it away to reveal a clean surface. It’s super affordable, and easy to do when you’re sitting at a red light, in traffic, or in the school pick up line. This product isn’t exclusively used for cars either; I also use it on my keyboard in my office. There are many brands of car gel, so it’s easy to get the color and size you like best.
Get it: Car cleaning gel to get the flotsam out of the crevices
Check out my own demonstration of the car care gel here:
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California Car Duster will keep your car clean without scratching the paint. Photo: Amazon
California Car Duster: Not Just for California
Living in a region with heavy pollen, like East Texas, means that pollen can get on your car quickly. Believe it or not, it can be difficult to remove. The California Car Duster is perfect for quickly removing the pollen and other debris that can accumulate on your car. This duster is made with special fibers that trap dust and pollen, making it easy to whisk it away without scratching the car’s surface. We’ve used these for years because it’s so quick and easy, and have an interior and exterior duster.
It has a long arm for those hard-to-reach places to do a quick once-over when you don’t have enough time to run through the car wash before hitting the road. As one reviewer on Amazon noted, “It’s great to keep the car looking clean without having to wash it as often.” And I have to agree that it’s a great product for busy people who dont’ want to spend a lot of time or money on maintenance.
Get it: California Car Duster
Related: Automatic Car Wash or Hand Washing: Which is Better?
My favorite car seat protectors has pockets! Photo: Amazon
Car Seat Protector: It has Pockets!
If you have young children, then you know how messy car rides can get. Car seat protectors are a great way to keep your car clean and protect your seats from those heavy car seats, plus spills, crumbs, and other messes. But, car seat protectors with pockets are even better! They offer a place to store wipes, snacks, a small first-aid kit, and other essentials, making it easy to keep everything organized and within reach during car rides. The car seat protector we own, and love, has non-slip rubber pads on the bottom and thick padding so as to not leave an imprint when we take the car seat out. It’s also waterproof, making it easy to clean up spills.
While we’re on the subject of seat protectors, if you have small children, you might also consider a seat cover for the backs of the front seats. I know in our car, it doesn’t matter how many times I ask our son not to put his feet on the back of the seat, those tiny piggies always end up there. A seat protector on the back takes care of a lot of headaches and arguments.
Get it: Car Seat Protector with Pockets
Related: Dog Car Seat Covers: The Secret To Keeping Pet-Friendly Cars Clean
ThisWorx Car Vacuum is portable and easy to store for a quick clean up of messes. Photo: Amazon
High-Powered Portable Car Vacuum Cleaner: The Gift That Keeps on Giving
If you’re serious about keeping your car clean, then a high-powered portable vacuum cleaner is a must-have. A couple of years ago, my husband was gifted one of these, and it has come in handy more than once. These vacuums are designed specifically for cars and are powerful enough to remove even the most stubborn dirt and debris. Plus, they’re small and easy to store, making it convenient to clean your car on-the-go.
The vacuum plugs into the 12V power outlet and has a long enough cord to reach the back of the car. The vacuum also comes with several different attachments for those hard-to-reach places and a built-in LED light to find crumbs and french fries in even the darkest of places. Our favorite, ThisWorx Car Vacuum Cleaner, has 84% positive reviews out of more than 250,000 reviews on Amazon.
Get it: Portable Car Vacuum
Car covers for everyone! Photo: Amazon
Car Covers are For Everyone
I used to think that car covers were only for the bougie cars. It was something people only purchased to humble brag that they had a fancy car, but I’m here to tell you, car covers are for all. If you don’t have a garage or covered parking, then a car cover can help protect your car from the elements. A good car cover will help prevent scratches, dings, and weather damage. So it’s a great way to keep your car looking new for years to come.
I was sold on the fact that it reduces the need for frequent washes and keeps your car looking great. Many times, washing the car is the furthest thing down on the list in my household that needs washing, so anything that helps keep my car looking clean without me having to do much work, is a win in my book.
The car cover I use is from CarCover.com. They have over 25 years of experience in the industry and a lifetime warranty, so you can trust that your vehicle will be taken care of for many years to come. As one reviewer noted, “I have bought four covers for three different cars, and these are the best ones out there. They are very sturdy and well made.” You can find covers for just about any vehicle at CarCover.com, or check out the selection on Amazon.
Get it: Car Covers for Everyone!
The best car seat protectors have non-slip rubber pads on the bottom. Photo: Amazon
How Will You Celebrate National Car Care Month?
Taking care of your car doesn’t have to be a chore. By keeping these a few simple tools on hand you’ll be well on your way to keeping your car clean, organized, and looking like new with very little hassle. In addition to the practical benefits of car care, there’s something satisfying about a clean, well-maintained car. It’s a reflection of pride in ownership and a way to show off your personal style. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t enjoy the feeling of driving a freshly cleaned car? This April celebrate National Car Car Month by giving your car the extra attention it deserves. Happy cleaning!
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