The importance of using dedicated cleaning products cannot be stressed enough, as many popular ‘hacks’ that use items you’d have at home are much more likely to damage your car than clean them.
Here are a few examples:
Using Dish Soap Instead of Car Shampoo
Dish soap is far too aggressive for car paint. Regularly washing your vehicle with dish soap can strip away protective waxes and sealants, leaving paint vulnerable to damage.
Magic Erasers for Interior Cleaning
Magic erasers are melamine foam pads designed for tough stains. They work like ultra-fine sandpaper, so using them on leather or touchscreens can cause permanent damage.
Coca-Cola for Cleaning Car Parts
If you’ve seen clips that recommend using Coca-Cola to clean rusted metal or remove bugs from your car’s surface be wary! While the acid in a can of coke can dissolve some grime, it also leaves behind a sticky residue that can corrode metal surfaces if not properly rinsed off.
Toothpaste for Headlight Restoration
Toothpaste is often recommended as a DIY headlight restorer. It lacks the long-term protective qualities of a proper headlight restoration kit.
“You would never use a front door mat in a car’s footwell,” says Colin Boyd, at Finest Car Mats.
Expert approved cleaning materials for interior refreshing
As a car mat experts, here is what Colin advises using when cleaning your car mats in the instance you’ve spilled a mocha in your Mokka:
“When tackling mat maintenance, selecting the appropriate cleaning solution is crucial to prevent potential damage while effectively removing stains and odors. Reputable brands like Meguiar’s offer robust interior and carpet cleaners designed specifically for automotive use,” he says.
“Another standout product is Turtle Wax‘s Spot Clean Stain & Odour Remover, a versatile spray that addresses a wide range of cleaning challenges (from pet accidents to food and beverage spills) while remaining gentle on fabric surfaces.
“For more stubborn soiling, specialized carpet stain removers or shampoos can provide deeper cleaning power. Turtle Wax’s ‘Power Out’ heavy-duty cleaner has proven particularly effective at eliminating tough ground-in dirt and persistent stains from carpet floor mats.
“Exercise caution during the cleaning process: it’s essential to choose cleaning agents that won’t compromise your mat’s integrity. Opt for mild, targeted products and pair them with soft, non-abrasive brushes to ensure thorough cleaning without risking fabric damage.”
Dodgy car products you should avoid and their dangers
Social media and the growing world of dropshipping which relies on social media is unfortunately not only giving out bad cleaning advice, it’s also selling sub-par accessories;
Car mats that don’t have proper fitting mechanisms, unsecure seatbelt clips, steering wheel covers that don’t actually fit your car – these are just some of the dodgy products that could put you and your passengers in danger.
Unfortunately, not all online retailers and sellers prioritise safety, and some subpar items can easily make their way into your shopping cart.
From websites that can be spun up in minutes to accounts on social media marketplaces that use underhanded tactics to appear legitimate, it’s getting easier to sell products online.
And with that comes more skirting of quality assurance practices. Low-grade car mats are a big one. Bad car mats will easily slip and fray up over time, which can potentially obstruct the pedals.
Colin notes that “You should always invest in good mats. A loose or slipping mat could have some really dangerous consequences”.
The same goes for other products. Seatbelt clips are one of the most important aspects of safety, and a poorly made alternative can fail in an emergency.
Another common one, particularly as we approach Winter, is fluffy – but poorly-fitted – steering wheel covers.
Like the car mats, you should really be going for something model specific, otherwise they may slide during use.
The list goes on, unfortunately, with these poorly made products, and the best thing you can do is stay away from them.
When buying anything for your car, always refer to vehicle safety standards and shop for premium, trusted brands.
