Environmentally friendly car care is really easy. There’s a lot of things which you can do that will help the environment, save money, and save labor, too. If you’re paying off your car loan, saving a few bucks on maintenance and care can really help.
Car washing and care
No-rinse products are becoming very popular as a green alternative to the messy process of saturating the area when cleaning the car. These products wash the car, and add a layer of shine, bonding directly to the surface. That also saves a lot of water, so you’re saving money in several ways.
Non-toxic interior care products are also hitting the markets in response to consumer demand. Check out your car care products, and you’ll notice several with good green credentials.
Cleaning cloths and tools
Wipes are another issue. A simple micro fiber cloth can do more good than anyone would imagine, picking up minute particles. Don’t be surprised to see a “clean” surface producing a lot of gunk.
Cotton buds are the perfect tool for cleaning out smaller areas with no mess. A little bicarbonate or vinegar (see below) on a cotton bud will clean anything.
Micro filter vacuuming with a new household vacuum cleaner is a very good option for your personal environment in the car. This removes the inevitable airborne particulates inside a car, and you can actually feel the difference in the car’s air.
Filters
Replacing filters, both air conditioning and car exhaust filters, is a definite plus in environmental terms, for you and the planet. These filters remove a lot of junk from the air, and if you’ve been having sinus, hay fever or breathing problems, they’ll help with those, too.
Cleaning ideas
Bicarbonate of soda is the easy way to remove most stains with no fumes, or those odd smells some upholstery cleaners produce. This is the old-fashioned, cheap, way of saving a fortune on cleaners, and you’ll find it’ll do most jobs very well.
Window cleaners can be equally cheap, and very efficient. Vinegar is also known as acetic acid, and a half cup of it can power through the build up of materials on windows like you wouldn’t believe. Add a little liquid lemon juice for a nice smell, and save a fortune in expensive, messy cleaners. Vinegar and lemon juice are fully biodegradable.
Note: If you’re using lemon juice and vinegar on upholstery, do a test on a small inconspicuous area first, because the pigments in some upholstery aren’t great, and can bleach.
General tips
Car maintenance requirements are based on use and the way the car is used. Some people spend a fortune on car care, just to have recurring problems. The trick is to pin down and eliminate the causes.
Smells: Usually caused by inadequate aeration and leaving things in the car too long. Open the windows when the car’s in a secure place, and allow air to circulate. It’ll get rid of any stale smells and bad air, too. Look for sources of outdoors.
Constant need to clean the exterior: You may just be parking in the wrong places, or the garage needs work.
The greener your car, the better you’ll feel, and the more money you’ll save.
This article was written by: Marcela DIAS
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