How to Clean a Toyota Car

Cleaning your Toyota car can be done with a handful of supplies.

If you own a Toyota Avalon, Camry, Corolla, or Prius, it's important for the resale value of the car to not only keep up with maintenance but also to clean it. An easy way to get your car clean is to go to a local car wash, pay cash and let the machine do all the work. Some Toyota owners, however, prefer to do the cleaning themselves to ensure the best results.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Hose
• Water
• 2 buckets
• Car wash soap
• Wash mitt or other cleaning cloth
• Microfiber drying towel
• Shop vacuum or vacuum cleaner
• Interior cleaning cloth
• Interior cleaner and conditioner
• Window-washing fluid
• Cloth for cleaning windows

1. Instructions

   • 1

     Park your Toyota outside your garage in the shade so the sun does not dry the water prematurely. Gather all of your cleaning supplies.

   • 2

     Fill one bucket with water and the recommended amount of cleaning product. Refrain from using liquid dish soap; choose a product specifically designed to clean cars. Fill a second bucket with only water to be used to rinse off the wash mitt and ensure you do not contaminate the soap bucket with grease and dirt.

   • 3

     Ensure that all doors are closed and windows are rolled up. Wet the surface of your vehicle using a hose set on a medium water stream. Hose the entire body, windows, undercarriage and wheel wells.

   • 4

     Dip the wash mitt or cleaning cloth in the bucket of soapy water. Start at the top of your Toyota and move down as you are cleaning. Be sure to rinse the wash mitt off frequently in the water bucket and, after rinsing, dip the mitt into the soap bucket again before scrubbing the car. Wash the entire car in this manner down to the wheels and tires.

   • 5

     Rinse the vehicle with water from the hose, again set on a medium stream. Inspect the vehicle for any missed dirt or grease spots. Clean the spots and rinse again. Pour out the buckets of water.

   • 6

     Grab the microfiber drying towel and thoroughly dry the body of the vehicle. Use a second towel if the first gets too wet.

   • 7

     Move the vehicle into the garage or carport. Open all of the car's doors. Remove all of the floor mats. Plug your shop vacuum into an outlet. Vacuum the floor mats and set them aside. Stretch the hose of the vacuum so it reaches the interior of the car. Vacuum the upholstery first, then the floorboards. Open the trunk of the car and vacuum that as well.

   • 8

     Spray a cleaning cloth with an interior cleaner and conditioner. Clean all of the vinyl surfaces on the dashboard but do not use the product on your steering wheel. Spray window-washing fluid on a new towel and clean all of the interior windows.

   • 9

     Replace the floor mats and close the doors of the vehicle.