HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-04-19, Page 17THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012. PAGE 17.
A clean interior can extend a car’s life
MS –Ask anyone who has taken
an extended road trip what a car
looks like post-trip and visions of
food stains, trash and other not-so-
pretty things might soon appear. But
it doesn't always take a road trip to
create a messy interior. Ordinary
day-to-day living can lead to stains,
scratches, clutter and more.
Although many interior messes
can be cleaned up, taking a proactive
approach to interior cleanliness can
save time and frustration. These are
a few ways to keep the car clean and
minimize damage.
• Detail the interior:There are
many products on the market that
can be applied to the dashboard and
other trims around the car. For the
most part, these are leather
conditioning treatments or vinyl
coatings that help prevent cracking
or drying out of the materials. They
also impart a nice shine onto the
trimwork, and alleviate finger
smudges and other eye sores.
Using a shop vacuum is a smart
way to clean the carpeting and mats,
as well as catch crumbs and other
dirt that can end up staining the seats
of the car. A shop vac has more
horsepower than a regular vacuum
and will draw dirt out more easily.
If you have leather seats, use a
mild soap and water solution and
dampen a cloth to wipe down the
seats. The same solution can be used
on the plastic components, such as
cup holders and storage areas. Use a
dry cloth to dry and buff out any
streaks. There are leather seat
protector products available, and
upholstered seats can be protected
with a scotch guard-type product.
• Create a dirt barrier: Carpeted
mats are meant to make the car
interior appear sleek and refined. Yet
many times these mats can get soiled
quite quickly. A good investment is
to purchase vinyl or plastic mats that
have a raised perimeter that will trap
any dirt or liquid (like melted snow)
on the mat. Then the mats can be
easily removed and hosed off.
Along the same lines, car seat
covers can be bought that will serve
as a barrier between dirt, crumbs,
fur, and anything else that would
normally become embedded in the
upholstery. There are kick mats that
can be placed on the rear side of
front seats. This way, if kids in the
back put their feet up on the seats or
have a tendency of kicking, they
won’t dirty the seats.
If your car has a trunk, consider
lining it with an impermeable
material that can absorb spills and
catch dirt. With the spring planting
season just around the corner, you
don't want the topsoil or fertilizer
spilling into the carpet-lined trunk
making a mess. For SUV drivers, a
mat or liner can be installed in the
cargo area. Check with your
dealership or an aftermarket retailer
if there are products specifically
designed for this purpose. Otherwise
a blanket, absorbent sheet, etc., can
be used in a pinch.
• Clean off before driving: The
warm-weather season is one full of
frolicking in parks or seaside. Be
sure to stomp shoes clean of sand
and dirt before entering the car. Pay
special attention to the cleanliness of
pets and children's feet before
entering the car.
• Get a trash receptacle:In a
perfect world, there would be no
eating and drinking in a car and no
chance for food and beverages to
spill. However, many people find
from time to time they need a snack
or a refreshment in the car. Avoid a
mess by having a small bag or trash
can to collect the remnants of the
meal so they don’t end up on the
floor or seats. Look for drinks with
straws and covers for easier
drinkability in the car. Only allow
foods that won’t cause major stains
if spilled, such as water and dry
snacks.
35587 Huron Road, RR #6, Goderich
519-524-2501 or 1-866-426-9502
We accept
• Free Estimates • Front Wheel Drives
• 4x4 Service • Domestic and Imports
• Clutch and Differential Repairs
• Specializing in Automatic and
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Transmissions
• 1 Year Warranty on
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& Rust ProofingLooking good
Keeping the inside of your car clean is just as important as
keeping the outside clean as well. Here are a few tips to
help declutter your interior and make it shine. (MS photo)
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on Huron County
attractions on the
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section of our website
www.northhuron.on.ca
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