Best Car Wash and Wax Tips from the Pros

It is a proven fact that the better your car looks the higher the value you will get at resale or trade-in. Proper car care to include washing, waxing, and polishing will not only make your car look its best, but will help retain its value and make it last longer. For the purpose of this article we questioned numerous detailing experts and other similar professionals as to what works best. Here are their best car care recommendations:
Start by using a garage or shaded area. The hot sun will make proper car care and cleaning hard, if not impossible and could be detrimental to your car’s finish. Next thoroughly wet down the car. This will remove dirt and road debris which will cause scratches if you skip this step and start using a sponge and soap on the car. If it is a hot day, be sure to routinely wet the car so it does not dry suds or cleaning chemicals on it.
Next use a car wash solution, don’t use general purpose detergents and cleaners that were never meant for car care and car washing. A car wash solution will not dry out your paint or strip and possibly remove protective coatings. A long armed, soft bristled wash brush will greatly reduce the time it takes to thoroughly clean your car. It will also make it easier on your back and muscles. A good quality brush can be cheaply obtained at Walmart for about $10-$15 – buy one, you will be glad you did. When you have finished washing the whole car, use a chamois to dry off your car. A chamois will remove water quickly and not leave lint which terry cloths are prone to do. Routinely washing your car will remove things like bird droppings, bugs and industrial fallout which are all detrimental to your car’s paint and finish. If there is road tar or stubborn bugs left after washing you should use a bug and tar remover prior to waxing and polishing.
It is a good idea to follow washing with the application of a cleaner/polish. This will remove minor imperfections in the paint caused by the environment and sun damage, remove minor scratches, and provide a good surface for car wax or car polish. Follow the directions on the bottle. Basically you apply cleaner wax as you would wax – in a circular motion and you treat one area or panel at a time. Use modest pressure and then let dry to a whitish haze. Buff with a clean cloth towel and reapply as necessary.
Then you need to decide whether to use car wax or a polymer car polish. According to the experts, carnauba car wax has the deepest and wettest looking shine, but it is also the weakest protection for the harsh environment (acid rain, extreme temperature ranges, bird droppings, etc. . . ). Car polish is easier to apply as it requires less effort to apply and remove. It will also last much longer (some have polymers and even Teflon and will last as long as 52 car washes after 1 application). Car polish will still give you that new car look and was the unanimous recommendation from our experts for any outdoor use (car wax was recommended mostly for car shows). Both car polish and car wax are applied in the same way and many come with a cloth or foam applicator. Apply in a small circular motion same as with the cleaner/polish. Car polish will go on easier and come off easier than car wax and requires only one coat for great protection in any climate. After allowing it to dry to a haze, buff it off, but use a microfiber towel as it will leave a smoother finish quicker and without any lint.
The above recommended steps for properly washing, waxing and polishing your car will leave you with the best shine, maximum protection, make your car last, and maintain its highest value. Remember, a little proper car care can and will go a long way.

Tips on the Proper Way to Wash your Car or Truck

It’s a nice sunny day and you decide to wash the car, however the hottest part of the day is probably the worst time to wash your car. Water dries up quick, and soapy water is the key to avoiding scratches and swirl marks. Follow these simple steps to ensure you have a swirl mark free shine every time. Make sure you car is cool

Do not start washing your car in the middle of the day, or after a long drive. This is especially important for your breaks and rims. Introducing cold water on your hot break rotors may cause them to warp. While very rare, cold water on an extremely hot windshield can cause it to crack. Use lots of water

Water helps lubricate the surface to avoid scratches and swirl marks. If you car is dry and you start rubbing a sponge or brush on the surface, all of the fine grit and road grime gets pushed into your paint to create tiny surface scratches. Start by wetting the entire car to rinse off any loose dirt or grime. If the car dries off on it’s own before you get to wash it, be sure to hit it with the hose one more time. Use low pressure water

If you decide to use a pressure washer, make sure it is safe for use on cars and trucks. While pressure / power washers are great for getting dirt out of engines, wheel wells, and the under carriage, they are not so great for your car’s paint. High pressure water will push any fine particles into the paint surface and cause tiny scratches. It’s best to use low pressure from a garden hose. Use the correct car wash soap

Get a car wash soap that is safe on all paints and clear coats. If you do not know what kind of paint your car has, it’s best to get a car wash soap that is safe for all. Most of them are, but it’s always good to check. Do NOT use dish washing liquid / soap. This is a very harsh soap that will do a great job of cleaning off the car, but will remove some if not all of the wax / sealant, and will leave a slight residue on the surface. Use a soft brush or car washing mitt

There are a variety of different sponges, mitts, and brushes for your car, and most are good. You do get what you pay for here. You want something soft that is going to hold lots of soap and water. You must keep the brush / sponge clean, rinse it often and make sure it is full of soapy water. This is the key to avoiding swirl marks. Start from the top down

Starting from the top will help with rinsing and not have you wasting water by going over the same section twice. It’s a good idea to also wash in sections, roof, hood, trunk, sides, etc. This way you can be sure to touch up any missed spots. Use a different brush / sponge for wheels

You can start or end with washing your wheels, but make sure you use a different brush or wash mitt. The wheels are usually far dirtier than the rest of your car, and you do not want to rub that dirt all over your paint. You should not need any special wheel cleaner, the same soapy car washing soap is good to use. Always check and make sure what ever you use is safe for rims. Chrome and alloy rims react differently to the same detergent/soap. Dry with a water blade

A good quality water blade is essentially a windshield wiper for your car’s paint. It removes a lot of water in one stroke, and will not scratch your paint. It’s a good idea to touch up any missed areas with a good quality towel. Terry cloth / micro fiber are the best. Again, start from the top. Always wash your drying towels separate from any other that may have special shines, or polishes on them. This will ensure they last longer and be less likely to scratch your paint.

These tips should help you prolong the paint and keep your car looking newer longer.

Save Your Bucks With Simple Carpet Cleaning Tips

Economy is getting unpredictable day by day. This is the reason why we often face ourselves in the middle of uncertain times, wherein we have no control. Every day we turn on the news that doesn’t seem pleasant to us; be it diving stocks, housing market crisis, or downfall of companies. In these uncertain times, we all are looking for the ways to save money on everything that belongs to us. The best way to save money is by maintaining your things in a right way so that you do not feel the need to replace them. The most valuable possession in your home is your carpets that can be really expensive to replace. To avoid this few simple upholstery cleaning tips have been made accessible to the people to take care of their rugs and furniture in a right wayHelping you to maintain their beauty for years to come, these simple tips offer great assistance to the things that are not cared for, and as a result need replacing. You can consider the below mentioned steps to take care of your life time investment. They are as follows:•    The most important step is vacuuming that helps in maintaining the health and fabric of your rugs. Helping in removing dirt and grime, it ensures fabric protection.   •    Another important step is clean the spills in a right way. •    The longer you wait, the more the stains set in. •    If you have pets, get a good pet urine remover to take care of your rugs. This will help in preventing damage of your rugs permanently. •    If you own rugs that have microfiber, you must opt for thorough cleaning; else it may result in water stains. •    Make sure to blot the spots with paper towel. Let it absorb excess liquid and then clean the spot by using warm water and dish detergent. •    Dry the stains evenly through blow dryer. •    Get your carpets cleaned in a professional way to ensure their longevity. •    Professional carpet cleaners promise to give you best results that an individual cannot. •    They know how to use chemicals and equipments in a proper way and hence save your thousands.   •    Get your rugs professionally cleaned every six months to treat heavily walked areas in a right way. •    If you have consistently dark high traffic areas, get your rugs cleaned every three months. •    This will help not only in saving money and replacing your carpets and furniture. •    Ensuring a healthy atmosphere, it helps you and your family to live a hygienic life as long as possible. •    Professional cleaning help in avoiding the further growth of mold and fungi. •    It is inexpensive and cleans your rugs properly. To conclude, there are many people who feel hesitant to hire professional services for their upholstery and rugs, heedless of the fact that they may result in expensive replacement. So, if you do not want the same to happen, consider afore mentioned simple tips not only to get your rugs clean deeply through professional Carpet Steam Cleaning, but also to ensure their long and healthy life.

Car Wash Tips

Buying a car is much easier when compared to maintenance. Wash your car regularly. Things like dust, bugs, bird dropping can leave the stains and damage the car paint if it is not washed off immediately. Usually when the car is clean all the moisture dries up quickly but when it is dirty, the dirt it accumulates causing corrosion. Once in a while the pressure wash will be useful to remove the dirt accumulated from difficult to reach areas.

One has to be extremely careful during winter. As the process of rusting due to dirt accumulation speeds up. It’s a bath time for your car so let’s keep in mind certain tips for car.

Use mild soap wash or car shampoo

You can always visit your auto part store or automotive department, where you can find a variety of car wash soaps or shampoo. Few pennies from your pocket for good car wash soap can always deliver the best. But always remember never to use any house hold or kitchen soap or detergents as these can be very harmful for your car paints.

Check for Pre-wash areas

It is always important to check your car thoroughly before the wash. Take a close look at the paint for any signs of road tar or any such sticky substance, especially in the lower panel areas dried bugs (leading edge of hood, body areas of lights and air dam). all kinds of solvents are now available in the market to remove stains and dirt.

Wash your car in shade

Start with the surface soak, spray the water to soak the layer of dirt, oil, dust accumulated, so that the after a minute or two, much of the dirt will float down before you go to sponge it clean. Rinse the bottom of the car well, removing all the dirt and debris from inside fenders, above and below the exhaust system hardware, underpan area as well as the ‘hiding’ spots behind bumpers too.

Now as the soaking procedure is on, you can start with the actual wash. Blend the car wash soap/shampoo with the cold water and use a large sponge to apply the mix. Remember to rinse the sponge after every scrub, to avoid the accumulated dirt that can scratch the paint. Work from the roof and windows down, hood to trunk and upper-to- lower sides. Do not skip the tyres, wheel cup, head lights and other light lenses as they need a good scrub too.

It must me surprising to know… but car wash has certain myths too.

It is said that car wash soap/ or shampoo can damage your car paint. There are several things, to b kept in mind before cleaning the car. The most important thing is that you have to make the water………. . wetter.

This may sound silly. Is there is something more wet than water? Yes a lot of things.

First and foremost thing is that water has a surface tension and this is what keeps the water from beading on the shiny cars and a good car wash will act to break down the surface tension and that’s the reason, the soapy water does not bead. You cannot wash your car and wax at the same time, and any product claiming to do both is compromise or worst. It is also said that high pressure wash is not good for your ca. It can damage your car, and most of the people do not have the luxury or time to hand wash.

With few tips on car wash and maximum protection, you can make your car maintain its highest value. A little extra and proper care can and will go a long way.

Tips for Pressure Washing Your Home

The elements can wreak havoc on the exterior of your home and diminish its appearance. When you are preparing for spring cleaning, don’t forget about getting out the pressure washer and giving the siding on your home a good cleaning. This will not only restore its appearance, but removing minerals, dirt, debris, mildew, and pollutants protects it from the harmful affects that elements can cause to siding, helping it to last longer.

Personal safety and protecting siding and other items from damage should always be a main concern when using pressure washers. Your pressure washer came with a users guide, read it thoroughly before using the pressure washer to learn how to use it safely.

Small twigs and branches, rocks and small objects can become sharp, dangerous, and airborne projectiles when hit by a pressure washer and cause serious injuries. These should be removed beforehand to prevent accidents and serious injuries.

You should be properly clothed whenever using a pressure washer. This includes shoes with rubber soles to prevent slipping on wet surfaces, and a long sleeved shirt and jeans or slacks to protect the body should any debris strike you. Safety glasses to protect your eyes are a must when using a pressure washer a well.

Never point the nozzle of the pressure washer at your face or at others. If your pressure washer becomes clogged, keep it pointed away from you as you try to dislodge whatever is causing it to be clogged. If you cannot unclog it, turn your pressure washer off before inspecting the nozzle and hose for obstructions and removing them.

Children and pets should never be in the same area in which a pressure washer is being used due to the risk of serious injury that a pressure washer presents. The pressure of the water can cause burn like injuries and even remove layers of skin. The full pressure of the water hitting someone in the eye can cause serious eye injury and even damage that cannot be repaired and blindness. Children should be taught to stay away from pressure washers and to never play with them. A pressure washer should be stored where children cannot get to them and turn them on and risk hurting themselves with.

You should never stand on a ladder or makeshift platform to clean a two story home or tall building on your property with a pressure washer. Not only can the ladder or platform become slippery when wet, the ground underneath can become unstable due to the added moisture and cause an unexpected shifting of the ladder that could cause you to lose your balance and fall. Buy extension wands for your pressure washer to extend your reach to clean higher areas.

The force of the pressure propelling water from your pressure washer can also cause you to lose your balance. The pressure is controlled by the nozzle, open it gradually, letting yourself become adjusted and sure of your footing before opening it further and increasing the amount of pressure being released.

You need to protect your property from damage that can be caused by the high pressure of a pressure washer. Inspect your siding for loose or damaged panels before using a pressure washer to clean it. Panels that are loose, bent, or torn can be ripped off by a pressure washer causing further damage to your siding and increasing the cost of repairs. Always maintain a distance of 6 to 8 inches from siding and other objects you are cleaning with a pressure washer to prevent causing damage to them.

Storm windows should be removed prior to cleaning your siding because they can become loose and fall off and break during cleaning. The pressure washers recommended for washing your home with are not ideal for washing storm windows with, even when well secured. The higher pressure can take the paint of window trim and cause the wood to splinter. Use a smaller pressure washer to clean storm windows and similar small objects.

It is a good idea to clear your gutters of debris before cleaning your siding so that the debris is not blown out by the pressure washer and create a disgusting mess scattered on the ground below for you to have to pick up. Worse still, the debris could fall on you and hurt you. Dirt sprayed on your siding from your gutters will turn to mud and cause you to have to clean your siding twice.

If you live in an area where mildew buildup on your siding is common, you may need to use cleaners specifically made for mildew removal with your pressure washer. Check your user’s guide to ensure that a specific cleaner is safe to use with your specific model of pressure washer. Many pressure washers can be used with certain detergents that provide even more cleaning power for a lasting clean.

Top Tips on Choosing a Washing Machine

In the market for a durable washing machine? Perhaps you are confused. That is because in the current market, there are so many different options that you can choose from. There are different brands available (many of them top brands), and for each brand, they offer many different models. In addition, the technology used for each and every model is supposedly different. So where do you being and how do you come to a buying decision? Here are some tips on how you can narrow your scope. Your washing load. Your washing load mainly depends on your lifestyle and the number of family members you have in the household. Obviously, if you have a huge family, you are going to need a bigger and more powerful washing machine. The size of washing machines are measured in litres. The larger the washing machine, the more water and electricity will be consumed. That leads to higher bills in the long run. So don’t just go for size. If you do not have such a huge family, don’t buy a washing machine with excess capacity. That will just drain your wallet. Front loading vs top loading. This is perhaps your biggest concern because there is a price difference of several hundred dollars between the two. Broadly speaking, if you have a limited of less than four hundred dollars, you can forget about buying a front loading washing machine. But cost is seemingly the only advantage that top loaders have against front loaders. Technologically speaking, front loading washing machines are far superior compared to top loading machines. The greatest advantage, is its ability to save water. The washing drums in top loaders stand vertically. So you have to fill it up with water for the washing to proceed. Front loaders have washing drums that work in a similar manner, but the drums are positioned horizontally. As the drum rotates during a wash, the machine makes use of gravity to pull the clothes and water downwards. This helps to save water and electricity. In addition, during a rinse, top loaders have to refill the drum with water. Front loaders simply use sprays, which helps save gallons of water. In the long run, you will save more on energy bills. The only drawback is the initial investment that you have to put in. How long it takes for you to recoup the investment depends on the model you choose. There are other side benefits as well. For example, you can expect front loaders to go easier on your clothes, thus extending the life of your clothes. You also don’t have to lift up the basket of dirty clothes and transfer the clothes into a top loader. Simply open the lid, and throw your clothes in there. There is, however, some good news. As more and more households begin to adopt front loading machines due to energy efficiency, the cost of the machines are coming down as well. Today, most households should be able to afford a front loading washing machine.