Last week everyone in the UK was standing at their windows every night looking glum, wondering when spring would arrive. Our seasonal emotions are all up in the air at the moment, due to that pesky “Beast from The East”.

That so-called Snowmaggedon shook up the UK with no apologies. The whole country came to a halt.

But do not fear, spring is on its way – we hope – and we are going to take our power back and get super organised in time for those slightly* warmer mornings.

It’s time to slip into those Marigolds and get to work with a little seasonal clean. Get your spring clean on with these top tips from Creditplus!

Step 1

Take everything out of the car. Remove the empty crisp packets from underneath your seats, the dirty dog blanket from your boot and the receipts that you are hoarding in your glove box.

Most importantly, get rid of those empty bottles of windscreen wash and de-icer. (I would keep the full ones though, as you never know what weather will grace Britain next.)

Step 2

Hoover like your life depends on it. Be thorough – take all the mats out and get under those seats. You’ll be surprised by what has fallen underneath them. There is so much dirt, salt and gravel that collects in these places, so don’t miss them out.

Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it's not there. It could eventually wear through the carpet, and corrode the body of the car, so save yourself a bigger hassle. Also, don’t forget the boot!

Step 3

Buff your dashboard and radio console with a dry cloth and any polish that is suitable to use on plastic surfaces, or even just an anti-bacterial spray.

Make sure you spray it on the cloth and not directly on the radio, as you don’t want liquid to affect any of the electrics. Clean all that dust out, as you definitely shouldn’t be breathing it in.

Step 4

For this one, you'll need to have two buckets of water. Roughly clean the outside of the car with one, as this will get rid of the majority of the dirt and debris.

Then use your second bucket to go over the car again. This will really give your car the shine it deserves. Finish by drying off the car with a dry towel, if you want to prevent water marks.

Step 5

Use warm water with a splash of fabric detergent to remove stains from your seats, if they are fabric. Be careful not to use too much, as the detergent might stain.

With leather seats, warm water should be enough. Let the air circulate after doing this, so there will be no feisty smells going on!

Step 6

Use a window polish to clean the inside of your car windows and your mirrors.

This should help remove that annoying circle your Sat Nav leaves on the windscreen, along with all those smears we made in the winter, by impatiently wiping away the condensation rather than waiting for our demisters to do their job.

Step 7

Check under the hood for any loose debris and leaves. Doing this could prevent future engine problems, so it really is worth it.

While you're at it, you might as well top up your screen wash, and get checking your oil and water levels crossed off your to-do list.

Step 8 (the most important one, in my eyes)

Finish off by putting in a new air freshener, a full pot of chewing gum, some fabulous sunnies and maybe a nice blanket and cushion, if you want to have that little extra touch of luxury in your car (like me).

You could even be extra organised and put all your de-icer, screenwash and scraper inside a box in your boot. You know, instead of keeping it in the usual place, rolling around the floor in the passenger seat footwell...

 

So, there you have it. These are our top tips to help you get out of your winter slump, and drive into spring in a fresh, sparkling carriage.

*Disclaimer: Creditplus does not control the weather - We wish we could, but sadly we can’t. Apologies for any hopes we may have raised in the process of reading this blog. This is the UK, after all...

Ready to drive into spring?

If you are looking for a new sparkling something, we offer a complete and hassle-free car buying journey through our Find, Fund & Deliver armchair service. This will help you get your new set of wheels selected, financed and delivered straight to your door in no time. 

Fill out our simple, two minute application form now to find yourself behind the wheel of a spring-ready car before you know it.