It’s hard to clean a vehicle if your tools and equipment are dirty! Keep your gear in top shape with regular cleaning and it’ll last a lot longer.
Soak and Scrub
Most detailing gear will only need light cleaning. This applies to brushes, buckets, dirt locks / grit guards, applicators, and sponges.
- Rinse first in clean water.
- Soak for up to an hour in water with all-purpose cleaner or white vinegar. For brushes, soak up to 30 minutes to avoid damaging the bristles.
- Apply an all-purpose cleaner and scrub or agitate. Soak again if needed for tougher grime.
- Rinse and dry.
Laundry
Towels, polishing pads, and mitts require a little more care for cleaning to ensure they last a long time. You can wash by hand or in a machine.
New, brightly colored towels may bleed some dye onto other towels in hot water, so be mindful of combining colors unless you want a red towel to tint your white ones pink.
- Rinse out any cleaners, residue, and dirt in clean water.
- Soak in hot water in a bucket with all-purpose cleaner or vinegar for up to an hour to dissolve oils and waxes.
- Rinse with clean water.
- Toss into the washing machine (or a fresh bucket to hand wash) on a gentle cycle with a detergent that has no fragrance and no softeners. A dedicated microfiber wash is great. You can also use a brand like “All Free and Clear” – it’s nice on clothing too!
- Tumble dry on no heat or hang on a line to dry.
- Fold and store in a closed container to keep away dust and dirt.
Clay Mitts
These mitts are more sensitive than normal towels and require special care to get the surface clean.
- Mix up a bucket with water and a splash of all-purpose cleaner or dish soap.
- Wash and rub the mitt by hand, being careful to remove and debris and not let the clay side of the mitt touch the bucket.
- Rinse fully with clean water.
- Lay out to dry in the sun or on a workbench. Don’t let the clay side touch anything or it’ll stick.
