6 Ways to Add Beauty and Protect Your Car — but Without Spending a Fortune

Written by Linda Kong | Last modified on:

Henry Fisker EMotion with 400 Miles

For the vast majority of us, having our car detailed by a team of professional car cleaning specialists just isn’t in our budget. Fortunately, there are ways to beautify and protect your car, but without spending a fortune. Here are three ways to glam your ride on a budget:

Steps To Add Beauty and Protect Your Car

1. Use Spray Wax  to Protect Your Car 

One of the best ways to give your car an incredible shine is by using spray wax, which applies quickly and easily. You can either clean-as-you-go, or spray it on a clean surface. And because you can cover a large area in a single spray, you’ll use less — which means it’ll last longer. One of the best products I’ve come across is Wax Wash All, which is very popular among aircraft owners.

2. Make Your Own Dashboard Cleaner

Why spend money on dashboard cleaners that, more often than not, leave smudges and become extreme dust magnets? You can easily make you own dashboard cleaner at home for mere pennies. Here’s what to do: in a bowl, combine 1 cup of warm water, 2 tablespoons of mineral oil or baby oil, 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, and 1 teaspoon of dish soap. Then squeeze in a fresh lemon, or if you wish you can add a little antibacterial essential oil (e.g. grapefruit, tea tree, etc.). Stir everything well, pour it into a spray bottle, and use it to clean your dashboard (just remember to wipe it immediately with a clean lint-free or microfiber cloth). You can even use it to clean your tires.

3. Make Your Own Air Freshener

Car air fresheners are surprisingly — and ridiculously — expensive, considering that they tend to only last for days, and most of them just mask odors without actually neutralizing and destroying them. The solution for a smelly car — and a limited budget — is actually found in your local pet supply store. Grab a bag of activated charcoal (you’ll find it in the aquarium section). Pour the charcoal into a glass jar that will safely fit in one of your cup holders, and then either punch a few holes in the lid, or cover the top with some cheesecloth. You’ll be amazed at how well this works, because the charcoal absorbs odor-causing molecules vs. just trying to mask them. What’s more, you won’t need to change the charcoal for a month, and you can use this solution in your house if you have some unpleasant odors to deal with indoors.

4. Make your own Chrome Cleaner:-

Wheels and polish body creates the balance look of the car. Vendors have a giant list of products for cleaning. Why not you make your own cleaner to free from any hassle of buying or thinking! Which one gives the best results?

At home you can get your own cleaner by mixing the solution of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Then, spray it on your chrome rim and leave for few minutes to break the dust or grime, then clean with a sponge. Repeat the step if dirt still exists. So keeping vinegar at home gives you many advantages however don’t use vinegar on aluminium alloy rims.

5. Make your own Cars Stain Remover for Upholstery:-

If you are a single owner and touchy feeling, you will never allow anyone to taint your car. On the other hand if the car is booked for several persons or for the use of family, then you can come across thousand of stains everyday.

To remove these stains at home without using expensive  removers, make a frequent paste of white vinegar and baking soda. Apply the paste on any carpet and upholstery stain and rub with a toothbrush or any other similar material. Then clean with any cloth or vacuum up the baking soda the stains will be gone.

6. Make your own cheap screen-cleaning spray

Clean and clear screen smooths your drive. How can you find the effective cheap screen-cleaning solution?  The cheapest way to make your own screen cleaner at home that keeps the dirt free screen will need:

  • 8 ounces, 70 percent isopropryl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
  • 8 ounces distilled water
  • Small misting spray bottle

Don’t use tap or unpurified waters that will leave unwanted spots on the screen that distracts your vision. Add one part of alcohol and one part of distilled water in the spray bottle and shake it well and now it is ready to use.

Note:- Don’t use alcohol if the manufacturer does not advise. Using alcohol may remove coatings of oleophobic screens.

Another substitute for alcohol is plain vinegar with water. Although this alternative solution takes little longer to clean your screen.

The Bottom Line

Keeping your car beautiful and protected shouldn’t cost a fortune — and if you keep the above tips in mind, then you’ll be able to achieve both, without breaking your budget. Have fun, and spread the advice to your friends and family!