Check out 5 car cleaning mistakes to avoid if you want to keep your engine in peak condition

A car cleaning expert has shared five car cleaning mistakes drivers should avoid if they want to keep their engines in peak condition.

In the face of the cost of living crisis, many drivers are choosing to do the work themselves rather than paying for an expensive professional car wash service.

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But it’s also important to pay attention to the products you use because they too can damage your car.

This is especially important now that spring is upon us and great driving weather is on the horizon – most drivers want their car to look and feel its best.

Here are five common car cleaning mistakes to avoid when waking up your beloved machine from hibernation.

Damage to your infotainment screen

These screens can be particularly vulnerable to damage.

They tend to pick up fingerprints, smudges, and germs, and it can be tempting to reach for a cloth to wipe them off.

However, household cleaners such as wipes or Windex can damage your infotainment screen as many screens come with an anti-reflective coating from the factory which destroys these products.

Do not leave the wax on for too long

If you leave the wax on the car for too long it will become hard and very difficult to remove.

It won’t damage your car’s paintwork, but it will make the wax extremely difficult to remove.

And it’s best to start with one part of the vehicle and then move on to the next.

Don’t use a towel for all tasks

Color coding can be very helpful here – towels for cleaning windows, for example, should all be one color.

Using a towel that has previously had window cleaner applied will leave streaks, even if it has been washed.

Never wash the wheels last

Waiting with the wheels as a final step allows all that stuck brake dust and dirt that you spray off the wheels/tires to end up on the nice, clean paint job you just finished.

Don’t clean your car’s paintwork with dish soap

The expert says this is the most common mistake motorists make when cleaning their car.

Dishwashing liquid is specially formulated to break down and remove grease, allowing it to remove wax or paint sealant from your car’s surfaces.

Although it cleans the car, dish soap does more harm than good and can even dull the paintwork.

Specialty car cleaning soaps are designed to be effective and safe on car paintwork.

Another car cleaning expert shared a super hack for a fresh-smelling interior — and it won’t cost you anything.

Also, a professional car cleaner claims that most drivers clean their wrongs.