At Approved Loan Store, we want to help you get into a great new or used vehicle, and through our blog, we like giving tips for keeping that car in top shape. Our customers, especially our New York customers, spend so much time in their car that a dirty car can get gross very quickly. Besides that, a car is an important investment, and after getting a nice new car, why wouldn’t you want to take care of it?

Today, we are bringing you some fantastic tips for keeping your car clean, courtesy of Jalopnik. We hope that our readers heed this advice for their own sake as well as their passengers because everyone knows that there is almost nothing worse than riding in a dirty car.

No Food: Stopping by that drive through and chowing down a burger in the car might sound appealing at the time, but those ketchup stains and discarded wrappers are definitely not.

Wax On, Wax Off: Waxing your car teaches you karate. Okay, maybe it won’t, but this is part of that whole “a car is an investment” mentality. You spent a good amount of money on this car, and with a little more time and money, you can keep the car looking nicer longer.

Wipe Your Feet: During bad winter weather, I’m tempted to jump in the car right away and dry off or get the heater running. Since I saw how much snow and mud I end up tracking in, though, I started taking a minute to wipe off my shoes or boots before getting into the car. It might mean an extra minute in the cold, but it is worth not having to scrub off that dried mud later.

Don’t Procrastinate: You might follow these rules 99 percent of the time, but when you break them that one time and get Dr. Pepper all over your seat, you don’t want to leave it to clean up tomorrow. Those stains set fast and will be much harder to get out later.

Use the Garage: Many people don’t have this option available, especially those living or working in the city. If you have a garage, however, take advantage of it. It will keep the exterior clean for much longer, not to mention cut down on the time spent scrubbing off bird poop.

Don’t Leave a Dirty Car: When you get out of your car, take a minute to look around and pick up whatever trash you can take with you. A McDonald’s bag, an empty water bottle, and a can of soda can easily be picked up and thrown out. This way, you can avoid a massive overhaul cleaning later.

Prioritize a Car Wash: Just like exercising or doing any chore, you will be more likely to get to it if you schedule time for it. Plus, if you stick to a schedule, you will always know when you last washed it.

Do It Once and Do It Right: It is easier to maintain a clean car than digging yourself out every couple of months. Take a day to thoroughly vacuum the interior, throw out any trash, and wash and wax the outside. You will still have to do a good cleaning periodically, but it won’t be so daunting if you maintain it in the interim.

No Kids Allowed: Now, I don’t agree with this tip from Jalopnik, mainly because it is unrealistic for most people. Still, you can keep your car cleaner if you follow these tips and get your kids to follow them too. No graham crackers in the back seat, and you can even get older kids involved in cleaning and waxing the car.

Do you have any other good tips for keeping a clean car? Tell us in the comments section below!

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