Aside from the functionality of the vehicle, the exterior appearance is also important. If you care so much about the car’s exterior, you should avoid those sketchy car wash services that use big brush. There’s so much more about washing and waxing your car, because there are many things you should do to clean and maintain the exterior of your car.  

To know how to wash your car like a professional, click here. You can DIY, but you should be careful so you won’t damage the exterior.  

Evaluate the Car 

First thing to do is evaluate your car’s condition. This step will help you in achieving the plan on how you should clean the vehicle. If your car is new and still has a good coat of wax, it might just need a wash and wax to maintain its exterior appearance. But if you have been neglecting the exterior of your car for a long time, it should be polished too aside from the cleaning.  

Before you use any product for cleaning the car; read the label first. The way you’re going to apply the wax, soap and detailer will depend on the brand of your vehicle and the model. An example is when you use a chrome wheeler cleaner, if you have an aluminum wheeled car, the cleaner will only ruin it because of its extreme acid. You should also invest on different microfiber clothes for cleaning the wheels, paint and windows.  

Washing the Car 

Washing the car is an important stage because it will remove all loose contaminants like dirt, dust and mud from the vehicle’s exterior. A car washing soap should be used instead of dish cleaner or liquid detergent. Avoid the latter because it will only strip the wax away and damage the paint. Rinse the vehicle and then use some cleaning mitts and drying cloths.  

Prepare the Surface 

Once you’re done washing, you will see all the damages in the exterior like swirls and scratches. When you run your hand over the surface, you will feel the little bumps. If there are stubborn bonded contaminants, use a clay bar to remove them. This way, the smoothness of your car will restore. If you notice some etching and scratches below the surface, use a compound and apply it using an applicator pad. After applying, wipe it right away.  

Polish and Wax 

The cleaning process will make your car look smooth, but it also needs additional polishing so it will appear shinier than before. Applying a polish will add depth of color on the car and maximum gloss. If you have a dark colored vehicle, you should not skip this step.  

After the polishing, add some wax on your car. It’s like a sunscreen that protects the vehicle against UV rays. The two types of wax are polymer and carnauba. So choose carefully.  

Maintain the Shine 

Once you’ve done with the washing, cleaning and polishing, it’s important to maintain it. Keep a clean microfiber cloth and spray detailer. This will maintain the beautiful new look of your car.  

Your carpet needs cleaning especially if there are coffee stains on it, dirt, dust or crayon marks. It should be cleaned every now and then so it stays neat and clean. A clean carpet is important for the homemakers because if it’s dingy it can detract from a peaceful atmosphere. The allergens and dirt can contribute to health problems like respiratory problems.  

 

You can clean your carpet in a number of ways but it still depends on the mess. There are people who are discouraged by the idea of cleaning the carpet because it involves waiting for the furniture and waiting for it to dry. Carpet cleaning is tricky, but you can do the following with ease.  

• Vacuum Your Carpet 

Vacuuming the carpet daily will avoid dirt build-up. Before you do the task, prepare the room first. Pick up the toys or anything than can obstruct the passage of the cleaner. Check for small items and look under the furniture.  

To vacuum it successfully, vacuum both vertically and horizontally. Vacuum the entire room forward and back. The fibers of the carpet are twisted, so going both directions will ensure you that each fiber is reached.  

Do this regularly. You can vacuum at least once a week, but if you have pets do it 3 times a week. If you have a 60 pound dog, vacuum 4 times a week. It is to remove the dander and hair that come from the pets.  

• Spot Cleaning the Carpet 

To spot clean your carpet, use a white clean cloth. Do not use rags that have patterns because it can transfer the color to the carpet which makes the problem worse. Blot the fresh stains with the white cloth, and then use the additional cloth to remove the stain left. Don’t use bristles or brushed because it will affect the fiber.  

There are a lot of carpet cleaners available in the store. It comes with cans or spray bottles so the spot cleaning is easier. If you’re dealing with fresh blood stain, blot with hydrogen peroxide or cold water. For the urines of your pet, use an enzyme-based cleaner.  

• Shampooing the Carpet 

Remove all the furniture when shampooing the carpet. Shampooing is called “steam cleaning” only that it’s a misnomer. First, vacuum the carpet thoroughly. Do not neglect crannies and corners. The shampooer can remove grime.  

You can buy your own shampooer or rent one. Hardware stores offer rentals of cleaners. It will have a built-in heating core that keeps the water hot. Plan your exit carefully because once you’re done cleaning on one should walk on it until it’s dry. Do not clean yourself into a corner.  

To dry the carpet, ventilate the area. Leave the doors and windows open for free air circulation. You can also use fans, carpet dryers, dehumidifiers and air movers to fast dry the carpet. It usually takes 6-12 hours for a carpet to dry so make sure no one walks in.  

 

When stranded on a lonely highway, and in the middle of the night, people can only hope for help from others to tow their vehicle and transport them to a safe place. That is why towing is very important, and it can even be a life saver for some situations.

If you want to be a lifesaver and a hero to your friends, you must know the equipment that a tow truck must have. You can also use this knowledge so you can inspect your towing company, and determine if they have enough equipment and tools to save you if you are the one in the distressed situation. A towing company, like Ogden Towing, must have all or most of this equipment to be considered a good towing company.

1. Lights

Working lights are very important for a vehicle to be fully working and be safe from accidents and also preventing accidents to others. In the case of tow trucks, however, it is not only important but necessary. It must have an amber light on working on the topmost portion of it; this is an oscillating signal for other drivers to give way because a towing truck is working and it must save someone who is stranded.

When a tow truck is towing a vehicle, there is a big chance that the hazard and brake lights, as well as turn signals, will be obstructed by the vehicle that is towed. This issue might cause accidents on the highway, that is why a tow truck must have portable lights installed in the rear of the car, which can be wireless.

2. Chains

A truck is not a tow truck if it doesn’t have chains. When you inspect a tow truck, it is not enough to only have chains, it must have an adequate number of chains. For heavy strapping loads, it must have a minimum of 4 tie-down chains. And for strapping the vehicle to the truck bed, a towing truck must have a minimum of seven excellent quality chains. It must also have extra chains to strap the doors or wheels of the vehicle if it is loose or broken.

3. Extinguisher

Cars breaking down the highway doesn’t always mean stopping suddenly without apparent and clear cause. Some situations, especially the severe ones, include fire or small explosions from the car. A good towing truck must have a fire extinguisher that is fully loaded and functional so that it can help, especially there is no fire truck around.

4. Other Accessories

It is also necessary for a tow truck to bring several other accessories to be effective in rescuing a stranded vehicle. It must have cleaning materials like oil absorbents so that it can clean up after a possible mess of fuel, motor oil, or other discharge from the broken vehicle.

It is important that tow truck drivers and workers must also have equipment for them to be safe. They must have safety equipment like vests, hard hats, gloves, and eyewear protection. Their vests must have visibility features so that passing vehicles can see them during the night.