Get that winter grime off your car with these tips
Sunny days are perfect for cleaning the winter dirt and early spring mud off your car. While you'll need a few items from your own garage like a hose and bucket, here's a list of our top recommended products that will help take your vehicle from grimy to shiny!
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Spring cleaning is in the air and your car should be no exception. It’s time to scrub off all that harsh winter salt, so you can get ready for cruising the sweet sunny streets this season! We’ve compiled a list of the most popular products to make your vehicle shine inside and out.
Meguiar’s G7164 Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo and Conditioner
SHOP NOW on Amazon.ca: When you’re handwashing your vehicle, first you’ll want to spray your car to remove the surface dirt. Next, prepare one bucket of water with quality, sudsy soap like Meguiar’s Gold Class Car Wash, and a second bucket with plain water for rinsing. This wash is designed to both clean and condition paint in one step and features an advanced formula that cleans without stripping wax. Plus, this reliable brand has been in business for more than 115 years!
Key takeaways:
Easily wash the dirt, salt, and mud off your car during the change of seasons
Reviews indicate it’s one of the soapiest washes on the market, making it glide smoothly when applied
Rated 4.7 out of 5 on Amazon.ca
Chemical Guys Chenille Premium Microfibre Wash Mitt
SHOP NOW on Amazon.ca: This premium microfiber mitt is super absorbent and made to hold more suds than its competitors. Each fibre helps trap and hold abrasive dirt from your vehicle, while the softness of the fabric provides a scratch-free cleaning experience. This trusted mitt has been rated by more than 13,000 customers and is available in five colours.
Key takeaways:
Use this mitt to successfully remove dirt and debris from winter driving
Durability with high-quality fibres that will sustain several seasons of washes
Rated 4.7 out of 5 on Amazon.ca
The Rag Company - Spectrum 420 Dark Pack, Microfibre Auto Detailing Towels (9-Pack)
SHOP NOW on Amazon.ca: Starting at the roof of your car and working your way down, you’ll want to rinse your car clear of all the soap before using these microfibre towels to completely dry your vehicle. These soft yet durable towels have over 360,000 fibres per square inch and a paint-safe satin border. This nine-pack is convenient as you can reserve a few towels for detailing the interior of your car too. Customers indicate they are more costly per towel than other brands, but you get for what you pay for and the quality is worth the price.
Key takeaways:
A microfibre towel will assist with drying and polishing your vehicle
Features an absorbent side and a polishing side for multi-purpose use
Rated 4.6 out of 5 on Amazon.ca
Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax (16 oz)
SHOP NOW on Amazon.ca: After the wash, it’s time to make your vehicle shine! We read about this wax in an auto magazine and after researching its ratings and reviews, it’s definitely worthy of waxing on. With a signature carnauba-based formula, the smooth, liquid wax should melt into the paint. It’s easy to apply by hand, and can also be applied in direct sunlight.
Key takeaways:
Help protect your vehicle from the elements by using a top-quality wax
Provides extra UVA and UVB protection
Rated 4.6 out of 5 on Amazon.ca
Black + Decker dustbuster Handheld Vacuum Cordless
SHOP NOW on Amazon.ca: With over 83,000 Amazon ratings, we are confident you won’t find a spec of dust inside your car once you’ve used this hand vac. It features a rotating, slim nozzle that targets dirt in the toughest spaces and boasts fifty per cent more reach than previous models. The brush and crevice tools are located on-board so there are no accessories to store separately. Most of the low-star reviews indicate dissatisfaction with the battery life, some after multiple years of use.
Key takeaways:
Your favourite tool for spring cleaning
Slim nozzle rotates 180 degrees for cleaning tight spaces
Rated 4.3 out of 5 on Amazon.ca
Meguiar’s Quik Interior Detailer Cleaner
SHOP NOW on Amazon.ca: This cleaner is a fast way to shine up the interior plastics, leather, rubber, metal, and even LCD navigation screens in your car. It lifts dust, dirt, grime, and stains from spills while restoring the surface’s original appearance. You can use the microfibre towel we shared earlier in this article to ensure the interior of your car is looking as buffed as the exterior. We’re recommending the Meguiar’s brand again because all customer reviews indicate satisfaction with the product being top-quality.
Key takeaways:
Non-greasy formula to clean and protect the interior of your vehicle
Convenient spray bottle for quick application and easy touch-ups
Rated 4.4 out of 5 on Amazon.ca
Swigzy Car Cup Holder for Hydro Flask, Yeti, Nalgene, Large 32/40 oz. Bottles and Big Drinks
SHOP NOW on Amazon.ca: Once your car is looking fresh from the spring cleaning, it’s time to turn your attention to keeping things organized. If you bring an extra-large coffee in the car every Monday morning, this extended cup holder for large water bottles and thermos’ will keep your drink from spilling all over your sparkling interior. You can also use it in golf carts, boats, trucks, and RV’s. The additional pads on the expanding base ensure the adapter stays securely in your existing cup holder. Fits most cupholders.
Key takeaways:
Keeps your water bottle or large-sized drink container secure while driving
Available in a standard length or long base version
Rated 4.6 out of 5 on Amazon.ca
Tissue Holder for Car
SHOP NOW on Amazon.ca: This tissue holder clips easily to the back of your sun visor and makes your car look that extra bit neater. It can both save space and make your car look a little bit neater, so all your cleaning efforts don’t go unnoticed! Customers note that in certain vehicles, the clip covers the mirror from being opened so keep that in mind if you frequently use the mirror or double-check the dimensions provided in the product description before you order.
Key takeaways:
Conveniently store tissues in a reusable holder that you can easily refill
Can be installed on the sun visor, front armrest, front headrest, or front seat body
Rated 4.3 out of 5 on Amazon.ca
Deluxe First Aid Kit
SHOP NOW on Amazon.ca: Driving and safety go hand in hand. We previously recommended this product in an article about what you should include in an emergency kit for your home. If you don’t already keep one in the trunk of your car, this kit provides you with 258 basic pieces for comprehensive first aid treatment, should you need them. From safety pins to scissors and an emergency blanket to a first aid guide, all items are stowed safely in a durable case.
Key takeaways:
Road safety is important; Keep this kit in your trunk for emergency situations
Lightweight with a wide opening for quick access to supplies
Rated 4.6 out of 5 on Amazon.ca
Like what you see? Check out our Shop the Weather articles for more must-have product recommendations.
Our trusted Product Specialists recommend high-quality items that we think will enhance your experience with Canadian weather conditions. Prices and availability of items are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Thumbnail image courtesy Karolina Grabowska/Pexels
