Let’s call glass what it truly is: a dirt collector. Inherent in its genius as a protective see-through viewing medium is its insistence on showing every speck of dust, dirt, skin shed, saliva spray, hair, and other earthly scum. To establish a clear view, both the inside and outside of the windshield need to be cleaned properly.
Regularly dusting the glass is only part of the process of keeping the inside of your windshield clean. Dirt and dust stick to grime, so it’s also important to regularly degrease the window, as well. This can be accomplished in a few ways.
Everybody has personal preferences and levels of cleanliness, but these steps should even satisfy the sticklers. We discuss what cleaners to use, what tools you’ll need, and tips for keeping your car in good shape. Follow The Drive’s unsoiled editor’s easy steps to a clear road ahead.
Estimated Time Needed: Less than a half-hour
Skill Level: Beginner
Vehicle System: interior
Cleaning solutions can be harmful to your skin, open wounds, or your eyes, so as a safety precaution, it’s best to use protective equipment:
Prepare for the job with the right kit.
Organizing your tools and gear so everything is easily reachable will save precious minutes waiting for your handy-dandy child or four-legged helper to bring you the sandpaper or blowtorch. (You won't need a blowtorch for this job. Please don’t have your kid hand you a blowtorch—Ed.)
You’ll also need a flat workspace, such as a garage floor, driveway, or street parking that’s also well-ventilated. Check your local laws to make sure you’re not violating any codes when using the street because we aren’t getting your ride out of the clink.
Unless your dog loves to squat on the dashboard and lick your windshield, it’s unlikely that it’s going to get so dirty to the point of needing deep cleaning on a regular basis. To clean off that lightly dirty window, follow these steps:
A glass cleaner should do the job most of the time, but some people prefer to use their own homemade cleaning solutions to ensure complete grease removal. Use one of these DIY cleaning solutions in a spray bottle:
There’s probably half a dozen things you could be doing instead of caring for your car’s surfaces. CeramicPro meticulously educates and certifies every auto detailer, nanoceramic coating specialist, window tinter, and paint protection film installer in their national network of professionals. With CeramicPro, you’ll get world-class service, expertise, and exclusive products that take your car’s appearance and protection to the next level.
The Drive’s editors cleaned our cars thousands of times. Here’s what we’ve learned through our experience:
You have the questions, The Drive has the answers!
A. As often as needed to keep your windshield clear. Or, if you’re looking for a general rule, every time you clean your car interior.
A. It makes it a lot easier, trust us. They’re super cheap. Or, pro tip: Use part of your Swiffer and attach the microfiber towel to that.
A. Sometimes a window cleaner is not enough to remove the gunk. Use the tools and suggestions above, and you shouldn’t have streaks to worry about.
We’re here to be expert guides in everything How-To related. Use us, compliment us, yell at us. Comment below and let’s talk! You can also shout at us on Twitter or Instagram, here are our profiles.
Jonathon Klein: Twitter (@jonathon.klein), Instagram (@jonathon_klein)
Tony Markovich: Twitter (@T_Marko), Instagram (@t_marko)
Chris Teague: Twitter (@TeagueDrives), Instagram (@TeagueDrives)
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