Are you sick of buying windscreen cleaner that just doesn’t work? Cleaning products for your car can be quite costly, especially if you have to keep buying products that don’t do what they say they will. Have you ever thought about making your own car cleaning products?
Making your own car cleaning products is relatively easy and can be a great way to save some money for more enjoyable things!
Home-Made Windscreen Cleaner
Windscreens can get rather dirty, especially if you do a lot of driving on dusty roads or at night. Here is one great option for a home-made windscreen cleaner that you probably won’t need to go to the shops for!
What You Need
- 950ml hot water
- 60ml white vinegar
- Lint-free cloth
Simply pour the white vinegar into a bowl and then add the hot water. Mix well, soak and wring out the cloth and wipe over the interior and exterior of your windscreen. Leave to dry. If you find the vinegar smell too strong, leave your windows down. This will help the smell escape. Store any of the remaining cleaner in a spray bottle in the garage or in the car (make sure you write the contents on the bottle).
You can even use this mixture when cleaning your mirrors and windows at home. The best thing about this cleaning solution is that it is economical, you are likely to have the ingredients at home in your pantry, and there are none of the problems you may come across when cleaning with chemicals.
Home-Made Car Wash
While you’re cleaning your windscreen with a home-made windscreen cleaner, why not use a home-made car wash to keep your car clean? This is another easy cleaning product where you are likely to have all the ingredients at home.
What You Need
- 3.5L warm water
- ½ cup baking soda
- ½ cup dishwashing liquid
- Micro-fibre cloth
Mix all together in a bucket and give your car a good wash. The baking soda is a mild abrasive which will help remove the day to day dirt and bugs that gets collected on your car.
Dust Free Environment
There are a few options to help you get rid of excess dust in the car (because who wants to be sneezing when driving along the freeway?) A can of compressed air can help clean dusty air vents and other small spots where it is difficult to get a cloth into. Alternatively for dust that is stuck, a small sponge (like a painting sponge) that is damp or cotton balls are good options.
Textured Surfaces and Dirt
If you’ve got textured surfaces in your car, it’s likely you’ve got dirt that is hard to remove. If you’ve got an old toothbrush laying around, it’s the perfect tool to help clean those textured areas.
Dirty Cup Holders
Are your cup holders dirty from kid’s bottles or your daily coffee? Those silicone muffin cups you have sitting around in the cupboard should fit perfectly. Once they get dirty, pop them in the dishwasher and put new ones in the car.
Best Items for Cleaning Your Car
When it comes to cleaning your car, you don’t really need a lot of products. If you’re keen to give home-made car cleaning products a go, you’ll need:
- Some micro-fibre or lint free cloths
- Vinegar
- Dishwashing liquid
- Baking soda
- A bucket
- Spray bottle
What Products Shouldn’t You Use on Your Car
Sponges
Sponges are made to scrub your car and not clean gently (despite how soft they may seem). They can scratch the paint and if used on your windscreen, over time they can slowly start to ruin the glass.
Ammonia
If your windscreens have been damaged through years of cleaning product use, or you simply have a crack or chip you want fixed, the team at Autoscreens can assist. We can replace or repair your windscreens, replace your car body glass and refit or reseal your windscreen if you are finding leaks after rain. Contact Autoscreens today for your quote.
If your windscreens have been damaged through years of cleaning product use, or you simply have a crack or chip you want fixed, the team at Autoscreens can assist. We can replace or repair your windscreens, replace your car body glass and refit or reseal your windscreen if you are finding leaks after rain. Contact Autoscreens today for your quote.
Jason Squire started Autoscreens in 2010. With over 35 years of experience gained in both the UK and Australia, the company is well established as a leading provider of windscreen replacement and autoglass repairs in Perth.
His journey to becoming a certified repairer license holder status with DMIRS (and business repair license MRB3703) began many years ago. He was born and brought up in the UK – the country where his long career in the automotive industry began. In common with many of the world’s best tradespeople it all started with an apprenticeship. For Jason, this was in vehicle bodybuilding and a specialisation in vehicle conversions.
He followed that up with several additional professional qualifications, including a Grade A Vehicle Body Building Certificate from the Road Transport Industry, a GQA level 2 in NVQ Automotive Glazing and a Level 2 qualification in Joining Materials by Welding from the UK Engineer Training Authority.
During his studies, Jason was also a part-time volunteer in the Royals signals with the Reserve Territorial Army. Between 1991 and 1995, Jason completed his Phase One Signallers Course with the Royal Armoured Corps and was awarded a Certificate of Trade Proficiency as a Territorial Army Driver Electrician Class 3. Training exercises took him all over Europe. He also represented the Signals in Rugby.
From there, he joined the armed forces on a full-time basis with the Queens Royal Lancers and continued to impress with his leadership skills and willingness to broaden his skillset, during which he lived in Germany. In 1996, he graduated from the Queens Royal Lancer Leadership Academy where he was named best recruit. His time with the Queens Royal Lancers he qualified as Tank Driver, Crew Medic and Gunner.
In 1999, Jason left the armed forces to join RAC Auto Windscreens. His skillset enabled him to fast-track his career to base supervisor and lead technician working with premiere dealerships in Crewe, Cheshire.
He also continued to volunteer in a number of different areas, including as a first responder with the West Midlands Ambulance Service and a scout leader with the Scout Association.
He relocated to Australia in 2008 with his young family and spent his first two years down under as a head technician for a national windscreen company.
However, with all his experience, extensive qualifications and his abiding passion for the automotive industry, it was inevitable that he would start his own company and make his mark as an industry leader.
He started Autoscreens in 2010 and has grown the business into the leading windscreen repair and replacement company in Perth, servicing both domestic and commercial customers. Autoscreens has a certified Motor Vehicle Repairers Licence MRB3703 issued by the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.