How Clean is Your Car, on a Scale from 1 to 10?

You may have seen our recent article, where we reveal that 6% of drivers have never cleaned their car.

This came as a bit of a shock and got us thinking - do people believe that ther car is really clean, and simply live in denial? Or do they embrace the mess and just go on with their lives?

We asked ourselves the question, and you should too: If you were going to rate how clean your car is currently, on a scale from 1 to 10, what would you say?

A solid 7? Maybe a mediocre 5 after some particularly gruelling motorway driving? How about at the end of the weekend when the kids have run amuck in the back? What then?

Cleaning your car can feel like an unnecessary evil - another thing to add to that to-do list at the weekend, when really there are more fun things to be doing. But as we mentioned previously, keeping your car clean can have many benefits. Not only can it protect your paintwork and improve the longevity of your car, but it can also keep you safer on the road.

Read on to find out more.

How often do you clean your car?

Most experts recommend washing your car every two weeks or so, in order to protect your paintwork, ensure maximum visibility, and stop grime from accumulating.

We spoke to Jess from TheFatFunnyOne, who told us that she aims to do a proper big clean of her car once a month, although she opts for weekly tidies to keep things in order. “At the moment, if I’m really honest, it’s probably a 3/10!” confesses Jess. “We had a weekend with a drive through safari, 4 kids in the car, and all the snacks!”

Mat Watson, car reviewer for the Carwow YouTube channel, told us that he keeps his car clean constantly, opting for consistent daily quick cleans instead of having to spend time on intense overhauls less frequently. He’d give his car an 8/10 on the cleanliness scale, which - if studies into how often people clean their cars are true - is considerably higher than many other vehicles on the road!

Mat says that his number one tip for keeping your car in good condition is to adopt his little and often approach - staying on top of things before they build up into a larger, messier issue.

If you’re more like Jess, and opt for monthly big cleans, then don’t forget her top tip the next time you’re giving your car some TLC: “Always have 2 bags ready when you’re cleaning your car - one for rubbish, and one for things to go back in the house!” she explains.

If you’re anything like some of our team, then it’s often the interior of your car that gets neglected. This chimes with the research in our previous article, which found that 16% of the 1,000 drivers surveyed admitted to only cleaning inside their cars once a year.

The backseat junkyard

Some of the most common items that get left in cars are coats, chargers, wallets, backpacks or gym bags - although Uber’s Lost and Found Report shows that when it comes to things left in the backseats of their cabs, there is a lot more variety. From an FBI bullet-proof vest to 22 bundt cakes and a single tooth, the contents of a car’s backseat can bring to light a whole host of mysterious items - particularly if you haven’t cleared it out in a while.

We asked Jess what her backseat contains right now, and she told us: “Back seat now? Wotsits, wellington boots, a bra (don’t ask) and countless sippy cups!”

While it’s not quite a bulletproof vest, Mat’s response to the most random thing found in his backseat is definitely up there with the more unusual. “In my backseat you’d find a cowboy hat. I used it in a video review of the Ford Bronco, and can't quite bring myself to throw it away,” he explains.

Now we’re starting to wonder about our own back seats…

Ready to reach for the bucket?

So, now we've held the light up to just how disorganised our vehicles can be, it's time to do something about it. Follow Jess and Mat's tips to keep your car squeaky clean — or at least to avoid a cowboy hat on the backseat!

Not sure where to start? Check out our complete guide to cleaning your car - which breaks the process down into 5 easy steps!

If it’s been a long time since you treated your wheels to a clean, opt for a more intensive regime and focus on specific parts like the air conditioning vents, windscreen wipers, and tyres individually. This way, you can dedicate a good amount of time and effort to restoring your vehicle back to its former glory.

In the meantime, if you have any questions about the condition of your vehicle — inside or out — get in touch with the experts at your local Kwik Fit centre today.