How often should you wash your car?

Buying a car is a big investment, and you spend a lot of money on maintaining it — oil changes, tire rotations, brake pads. But have you ever thought about how simple car washing is also an investment? How often should you wash your car, and why is it important?

Whether you wash your car to protect the paint and minimize rust so you can use it forever, or to keep it in top condition and increase its resale value, there are many reasons to wash your car regularly.

How often should I wash my car?

Most experts recommend washing your car about once every two weeks or so. If you live in an area with a lot of salt — from the nearby ocean or from salt trucks — you should wash your car more often, as salt can corrode metal and cause rust.

Those who frequently drive through remote areas should also spend more time on their car care. Bird droppings are acidic enough to eat away at your car's paint if left too long. The same goes for dead insects and tree sap, so wash them off as needed.

Cars may have longer wash times if you don't drive them every day, or if you keep them in a garage and away from the elements.

How to properly care for car interior?

Of course, the interior of a car is less exposed to the outside environment, but it still needs to be cleaned. Use a vacuum hose to suck up debris (dog hair, dry cereal, dead insects, dry leaves) from the crevices of the seats and floor mats.

If you notice stains while vacuuming, you can use a seat stain remover to remove them. You can also clean dirty car seats with a solution of warm water and a mild detergent.

However, leather seats need to be cleaned and maintained to prevent cracking and aging, at least once every three months. If you drive a lot or your car's interior is exposed to sunlight, maintain the leather every two months.

Car exterior polishing

Experts recommend waxing your car's interior at least twice a year. You can test whether a new coat is needed by splashing some water on your car. If the water beads up, it's time to do it. If not, your car needs a good waxing.

Wax doesn't just make your car shiny and beautiful. It also helps corrosive substances like salt, tree sap, insects, bird droppings, etc. slide off the paint. If they don't slide off, at least the wax provides an extra layer of protection between dirt and paint.

David Pac

Update 17 August 2025