🚗 Spring Cleaning Isn’t Just for the House — Don’t Forget Your Car!

Let’s be real: spring cleaning can feel like a chore… until it’s done and you feel like a brand-new person in your sparkling-clean space. But one place a lot of us forget? The car. And if you’re anything like me, that space can get chaotic real fast.

I had to take my car into the shop a week ago and… well, I still haven’t gotten it back. It’s looking like I may need to buy a new one altogether 🙃. In the meantime, my sweet boyfriend has been letting me drive his truck — so to surprise him, I decided to give it a full clean inside and out.

It only took about 1 hour for the exterior and 30–45 minutes for the interior — and the results were so worth it! Keep reading for everything you need, the exact steps I followed, and my favorite tools and links to make the job easier.

🧼 Supplies You’ll Need

I love this car cleaning kit from Amazon — it has everything in one place:
👉 Shop the full kit here!

Other helpful tools:

✅ Bucket + car-safe soap
✅ Microfiber cloths or mitts
✅ Extendable car wash brush
✅ Soft-bristle wheel brush
✅ Window cleaner
✅ Interior detail spray or all-purpose cleaner
✅ Vacuum — I used my Dyson V8 cordless vacuum and it was perfect!
✅ Trash bag for decluttering
✅ Small brush or toothbrush for crevices

🧽 Exterior Car Cleaning Checklist

Here’s how I tackled the outside of the truck step-by-step:

Rinse it off: Start with a hose rinse to remove loose dirt and debris.
Wash: Using your bucket and car-safe soap, scrub top to bottom with a microfiber mitt or extendable car wash brush. Don’t forget the bumpers, mirrors, and behind the tires.
Wheels & Tires: Use a separate brush and cleaner just for the wheels (they’re filthy).
Rinse again: Hose off all the soap thoroughly.
Dry: Use a clean microfiber towel to dry and prevent water spots.
Windows: Use a streak-free window cleaner on the outside windows and mirrors.
Optional: Add wax or tire shine if you’re feeling fancy.

🧹 Interior Car Cleaning Checklist

This is where the transformation really shows! Here’s what I did:

Take everything out: Trash, receipts, random water bottles, old gum wrappers. You know the drill.
Remove floor mats: Take them out and scrub with soap and water. Let air dry.
Vacuum everything: Seats, floorboards, between and under the seats. The Dyson V8 made this part super easy — it’s cordless, lightweight, and bagless.
Wipe down hard surfaces: Use a microfiber cloth and all-purpose or interior cleaner on the dash, console, cup holders, and door panels.
Clean windows inside: Finish with glass cleaner for that crystal-clear finish.
Replace your floor mats once dry and put back any essentials only — let the rest go!

💡 Final Touches

The only thing I didn’t clean was the truck bed — I left that for my boyfriend so he can organize his tools how he likes. 😄 But the rest of the truck? Looks practically brand new.

Whether you’re driving your dream car or borrowing your boyfriend’s truck while you figure things out (guilty ✋), don’t underestimate the power of a clean ride. It’s refreshing, empowering, and honestly just makes driving more enjoyable.

🛒 Favorite Tools for the Job

Got your own car-cleaning tips? Or maybe you’re planning to surprise someone like I did?

Comment below and let me know how you’re spring cleaning your ride this season! 🌸✨

Health and Home by Haven

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