TIPS FOR CLEANING YOUR CAR IN A HEATWAVE

1. Rise and shine. Wash the car in the shade when the paintwork is cool; early mornings are ideal
2. Use a dedicated pre-wash spray to loosen the worst of the dirt, then rinse thoroughly
3. Tackle wheels before bodywork to avoid the worst grime flying onto clean bodywork
4. Wash using the two-bucket method - one filled with soapy water, one with clean water so you can rinse your mitt and avoid reapplying dirt to the car
5. Use specialist detergents if you encounter stubborn stains like tar or bird lime
6. Rinse and repeat - wash in sections and rinse from the top down. To clear soapy water from nooks and crannies, notably within the wheels, use a pressure washer or pump sprayer
7. Watch out for water spotting - dry the car before the sun does by using a clean microfibre or drying towel
8. Between washes, deploy a detailing spray to avoid having to do a full clean so frequently
9. If it is too warm for a full car wash, consider a quick clean of the glass and light units to maintain good visibility and keep the car looking presentable
10. Apply protection to your paintwork to resist the grime, making the next clean much easier to perform

Tips in detail

1. Rise and shine. Wash the car first thing in the morning, when the car is cool

Wherever possible, complete the full wash and protect process out of direct sunlight and ensure the surfaces are cool to the touch - mornings are often ideal. This ensures cleaning solutions have more time to attack the grime without drying out. If cleaning in the sun is unavoidable, park the car in the shade or use a canopy or temporary gazebo. It is also important to take care of yourself during a prolonged car clean by staying hydrated and applying suncream.

2. Use a dedicated pre-wash spray to loosen the worst of the dirt

Using a dedicated pre-wash spray can loosen the worst of the dirt, notably on the lower panels. Dead bugs on the front of the car and on the windscreen will be very difficult to shift through conventional washing, so use a specialist product. Then rinse thoroughly using a hosepipe or pressure washer, working from the bottom up.

3. Tackle wheels before bodywork to avoid the grime flying onto clean bodywork

It's advisable to clean the wheels before the bodywork so that loosened brake dust and wheel cleaning ...