Despite the cold temperatures, it can be a great time of year to get out in the fresh air for a long walk. When that winter sun comes out, it can provide some perfect conditions for a morning or afternoon spent outside. However, winter walks don’t often come without a bit of mess too – muddy tracks and trails to be exact.
What’s more frustrating is that this will usually have a direct impact on the cleanliness of your car, both inside and out. So, if you’re hoping to enjoy getting out and about but are worried about having a muddy car, follow these handy tips.
Cleaning mud from the interior of your car
The inside of your car can easily become dirty thanks to muddy shoes, clothes and pets, once you’ve returned to your vehicle. So, when it comes to cleaning the seats, mats and even dashboard, we’ve got some helpful ways to restore everything to how it was.
Before you start, you might want to let any mud dry first on upholstery and fabric, as it can make it a little easier to remove. You should also give the mats a good shake outside the car to remove any looser bits of debris.
Use a vacuum cleaner for large areas of mud
Once most of the mud has dried up, use a vacuum cleaner to hoover up as much as you can. By getting rid of any larger areas of loose mud, you can eliminate most of the work quite easily. Just be sure to empty the vacuum cleaner into the appropriate bin afterwards!
Scrub any dried mud using a soft brush
If any of the leftover mud has dried into the upholstery and needs a little more work to remove, use a soft brush to loosen and scrub away. You could use a specific upholstery cleaner to help remove dirt and stains.
Wipe away the mud with a cloth
Once you have loosened as much mud as possible, use a clean microfibre cloth to wipe away what you can. If any debris is left, you could use a multi-surface cleaner to help cut through any dirt or leftover marks.
Clean floor mats with a vacuum cleaner or scrub with a brush
The floor mats, depending on whether they are fabric or rubber, would also benefit from dedicated cleaning to remove any marks from muddy shoes. Utilise the vacuum cleaner and scrub with a brush to ensure any loose mud or dirt is removed effectively.
Cleaning mud from the outside of your car
Driving up muddy tracks or visiting more rural areas in the winter can result in the exterior of your car being flecked with spray from puddles, as well as being exposed to more dirt than usual. It’s beneficial to clean your car sooner rather than later to remove any debris and dirt, as it will avoid any mud being baked onto the paintwork.
Use a pressure washer to get rid of excess mud
For quick and effective cleaning of the outside of your car, consider using a pressure washer. This can be an incredibly easy way to remove dirt and grime, but there are a few tips you should follow to protect the paintwork and tyres. Our guide on the do’s and don’ts of pressure washing can help!
Use Snow Foam to loosen dirt
If you’re hoping to give your car a thorough clean, Simoniz Snow Foam is a pH-balanced pre-wash that can help to loosen dirt and grime before rinsing. It produces a thick foam that clings to the vehicle’s surface, so leave for a few minutes before rinsing. It’s important that you don’t let the Snow Foam dry on the car’s surface.
Shampoo your car to restore its shine
Once you’ve completed your effective pre-wash, you can use a regular car shampoo to achieve that showroom shine and restore your car’s exterior back to its former glory. Our Shampoo & Wax has added carnauba wax to further protect the paintwork, providing an all-in-one solution for gently cleaning your vehicle’s exterior.
Extra tips for cleaning mud from your car
If you’re hoping for some additional tips to keep your car clean after a muddy walk, consider the following:
- Use a protective liner in the boot. This can be helpful for any muddy clothes or boots that you may want to change out of after your walk. It’s also handy if you’ve got dogs with you!
- Use two clean lint-free cloths for cleaning windows. If you need to give your windows a quick wipe down after your latest excursion, make sure you have two cloths to hand. One can be used to spray and wipe away any excess dirt, and another clean, dry one can be used to dry the window after if required. This can help to create a streak-free finish.
- Use an air con cleaner to remove any smells. If you’re left with an earthy or dirt-related smell even after you’ve cleaned your car, you might want to use an air con cleaner. This is an easy way to get rid of any odours and lingering bacteria.
For more tips and advice on cleaning your car, don’t forget to check out the rest of our blog.
