Hot hacks to winterize your ride

Can’t work up the will to clean your car for the season? It doesn’t take as much effort as you think – just a little elbow grease.

Check out these hot hacks that will have your ride glistening and gliding away this winter:

Clean out vehicle vents with compressed air

Remove built-up dust and gunk from the vehicle's vents the quick and easy way. Sure, brushes are convenient, but they are no match for the power of compressed air.

DIY carpet stain remover

You can save money by crafting your own stain remover. Combine and mix one part hydrogen peroxide, two parts water, and one drop of lemon essential oil per ounce. Dab the stained spots with your DIY solution, let it sit for two minutes, scrub, and voilà!

Condition your dashboard with a cloth and Vaseline

Believe it or not, vaseline has over 100 different purposes and can be used as a substitute for sprays and detailing wipes that can be pretty costly. The advantage of using Vaseline is its inability to dry out, allowing you to conveniently store the cloth in your vehicle's glove box and reuse it from time to time.

Polish leather with olive oil

Fading leather seats? You are going to be amazed by this next hack.

Put down the expensive cleaners and extend the lifetime of your vehicle's leather with olive oil. Not only does this save your seats, but it saves you a trip to the store, too.  

Effortlessly clean cup holders

Cup holders attract all sorts of dirt, and the restricting space does not make it any easier to clean. Rest assured, this hack will.

Grab an object that perfectly fits the space—perhaps your favourite travel mug. Cover the object with a clean sock, spray the sock with cleaner, place it in the cupholder, twist it around, and then watch the magic happen!

Baking soda first, vacuum second

Next time you vacuum the inside of your vehicle, before you start, sprinkle a layer of baking soda over your seats and leave it for a few minutes. The baking soda reacts to acidic and alkaline molecules, ultimately neutralizing any possible odours.

Use toothpaste for cleaner headlights

Toothpaste and headlights are an unexpected match; however, the duo can save you from spending hundreds of dollars on replacement headlights. With a cloth, smear the toothpaste around your headlights, rinsing with water when complete.

Clean wiper blades with rubbing alcohol

Dirty wiper blades are prone to leaving massive streaks across your window. For best results, grab a microfiber cloth, dip it in rubbing alcohol, and gently wipe along the blade. 

Freshen up with essential oils

Create your DIY air freshener to keep in your car! Essential oils are a great way to freshen up your vehicle while saving money and avoiding the toxins that lurk inside most store-bought air fresheners.

Grab your squeegee and say goodbye to pet hair

Furry friends make great companions, but they also make great messes. Vacuums are an easy fix until you encounter stubborn pet hair.

Spray your seats with water to clump pet hair together, then use a squeegee to gather and remove it. If you travel with your pet often, consider using a seat cover to simplify the cleaning process.

Wrap your mirrors

Chipping the ice and snow off your mirrors in the morning is never fun, especially if you are in a hurry. To avoid the chore and make the morning less frosty, wrap a plastic bag around your mirrors overnight. If you do not have a garage, this hack is a must.