The seven car care sins we’re all guilty of

We all have our dirty little secrets when it comes to cleaning (or not cleaning) our cars. And considering how many hours a week Aussies spend in their vehicles, we should all be taking better care of our in-car hygiene. Here are some of most dreaded car care tasks that we need to stop avoiding at once.

Not washing your car often enough is a sin almost all of us can relate to. Things like paint protection, how often you drive, where you live and where you park can also play a role in deciding how often you should bathe your chariot.

But the short answer? At least once a fortnight, according to experts, unless you live in a particularly dusty climate, by the beach (salty air can lead to corrosion) or travel long distances on a regular basis — in which case a wash per week is preferred. Here are some tips on how best to wash your car.

Scientific studies have proved that if you’ve just washed your car, the likelihood of having a bird or bat defecate on your paintwork is ten times higher. Okay, not really. But chances are, it’s gonna happen and it’s something you should be taking care of immediately.

Not only are poop stains unsightly, but they can actually cause long-term damage if left to say, bake in the sunshine. This is due to acid in faeces which in most cases, is corrosive to painted surfaces. Either way it’s gross, so just clean it up, okay? Don't be that poop car on your street.

If you often find yourself transporting children or animals around, you’re likely to have a bunch of questionable smudges and smears all over the glass. And even though it’s unlikely those will pose any immediate threat, the longer you leave them, the harder they could be to remove later on. They also look unsightly, so keep some glass wipes handy for the future.

Whether you’re lazy or just plain forgetful, leaving rubbish in the car doesn’t just look messy, but can lead to unpleasant smells, stains and even unwanted visitors like ants, cockroaches and even rats. Fast food packaging, slushy cups and remnants of last week’s ham sandwich should leave the car when you do.

If you insist on eating in the car, try keeping some plastic bags in the glovebox or door pocket to make the clean-up quicker and easier. Try this fun DIY bin bag dispenser car hack.

In most cases, caring for your car generally means it’ll take care of you. This means making sure your vehicle’s fluids are topped up on a regular basis — ideally once a week. This includes the windscreen washer reservoir, coolant/antifreeze levels and engine oil.

It’s no secret how brutal the Australian sun can be. And just like we’re warned to protect our skin from harmful UV rays, the same can be said for our cars. Protecting leather seats, vinyl dashboards and other plastic covered areas susceptible to premature ageing caused by the sun is super important in maintaining your car’s resale value and overall aesthetic. It's basically like giving your car a moisturising and sunscreen care regime.

Next time you’re due to clean the car, make sure you pay attention to the interior by investing in some leather and vinyl protectants that include SPF.

Now this one sounds a bit random but think about it, does anyone ever clean the vents that are supposed to be bringing in fresh air into the cabin? If you don't you certainly should be especially in the midst of hay fever season or after a dust storm.

Related: What are the best car cleaning hacks and tips?

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