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Rounding Up the Top 5 Dirtiest Places in Your Car
It is hard to imagine life without our car. They are our lifeline when it comes to everything from weekend trips to after school activities – our cars have seen it all.
According to a Harvard Wealth Watch study done in America, the average American spends close to 101 minutes per day in their car. For us in South Africa – that may be a ton more given traffic and the recent power outages but nonetheless – that is a fair amount of time one can spend in their car.
The problem is that keeping your car clean isn’t that simple. It can in-fact be one of the germiest places.
We’ve run the statistics and have narrowed down the Top 5 Dirtiest Places within your car that often miss the wipe down, and how to keep them clean.
Your steering wheel and gear shift
Believe it or not, your steering wheel and gear shift may be even dirtier than your wheel wells or undercarriage. The steering wheel and gearshift have been said to have more germs per centimetre than any other place in your car. Luckily, saved by a quick wipe down with a disinfectant wipe – you can be germ free! Maybe keep a box handy in the car too.
The windows
With all the rain, dust and dirt that collects on the outside of our windows – sticky little fingers leave oils on the inside. To get rid of pesky streaks and dirt on the outside – try pouring fizzy cola down your windshield. TIP: Cover your hood with a towel to protect the paint and wash thoroughly afterwards. Baby wipes are also excellent side and rear window cleaners.
Windshield Wipes
Ever had that smeared dirt look? If your wipers are dirty they can leave dirt streaks on your windshield thus hindering your vision. A solution of ¼ cup of household ammonia and about 1 litre of water. Soak a rag in the solution and rub over both sides of the wiper blades, dry with a different and clean rag before putting them back in place.
Under the carpets
Sorry, but running a vacuum just won’t cut it. Most of the grit finds a way under the surface carpets. You need to remove the pads and ensure that you vacuum thoroughly. For a deeper clean, try beating the surface carpets or have the car professionally cleaned.
Handles
Much like the steering wheel and gear shift, dirty hands find their way to your handles too. These can also be disinfected with routine baby wipe cleans.
We all know that our busy lives involve us keeping all aspects of our personal and work lives organised and that cleaning your car is probably the last thing on our mind. But don’t give up! If you are also thinking about selling your car in the future or handing it over to someone else within the family, it’s important to make sure it’ll last. Incorporate this 10 minute weekly cleanse in your chores and you are on your way!
Adapted from Zerorez Puget Sound, 2019/02/15
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How to really Deep-Clean Your Car
There will come a time when a set of scrutinising eyes will inspect the cleanliness of your car, top to bottom, inside and out. It may be a prospective buyer or a traffic official, perhaps someone really close to you whom you want to impress. Any which way, having your car ‘ready for inspection’ (as they say in the movies) will not only amp up the value of your car but also boost your petrol-head cred.
Shield auto care products have a range of cleaners that go way beyond mere ‘spit and polish’. Scientifically formulated and proven to remove the greasiest muck from every square inch of your car, StartMyCar.co.za recommends these pro-level Shield auto cleaners that draw smiles from even the most battle-hardened sergeant major.
Shield Tyre Polish – your car’s ‘boots’ get a deep black shine and a protective coating against the elements.
Shield Mag Cleaner – suitable for all types of mag wheels, this water-based formulation removes carbon deposits and road film instantly.
Shield Silicone Aerosol Spray – stop friction and squealing brakes pronto. This non-conductive rustproof, waterproof lubricant provides protection for rubber mountings and bushes and protects against corrosion.
Shield Tool in a Can – a versatile silicone-free multi-purpose lubricant for deep-penetration of auto components to displace moisture, lubricate and prevent rust.
Shield Anti-freeze Summer Coolant – a long-lasting anti-rust formulation that prevents radiator over-heating and helps reduce fuel consumption.
Shield Brake and Parts Cleaner - cleans away grease, dirt and oil from brake linings, drums, disc pads and cylinders. Frees even the hardest to reach mechanisms from contaminants that reduce wear on parts.
Shield Carb Cleaner - cleans and removes sludge, dirt and carbon deposits and is safe for use on oxygen sensors and electronically controlled carburetors as well as sluggish chokes and dirty throttle linkages.
Shield Engine Cleaner - a fast-acting spray-on/hose-off engine cleaner and degreaser that eradicates grease and grime from all surfaces leaving no greasy residue.
So, get ready for those beady eyes with these winning Shield products - take a load off and then stand at ease!
Silly Spares
A taxi passenger tapped the driver on the shoulder to ask him a question. The driver screamed, lost control of the car, nearly hit a bus, went up on the footpath, and stopped centimeters from a shop window. For a second everything went quiet in the cab, then the driver said, "Look mate, don’t ever do that again. You scared the daylights out of me!" The passenger apologized and said, "I didn’t realize that a little tap would scare you so much." The driver replied, "Sorry, it’s not really your fault. Today is my first day as a cab driver – I’ve been driving a funeral van for the last 25 years."
