Although your car maintenance may have fallen to the wayside this summer, September isn’t only about getting back-to-school ready. The ninth month of the year is when you fall back into your daily routine, so why not start by cleaning out your car?

To help you get you back into the swing of things, we’ve put together a list of tips for your big cleanup and another list of picnic essentials. After all, what better way to reward yourself than with a nice meal in the park after cleaning your car?

Post-vacation car maintenance

Summer vacation has slowly come to an end and the back-to-school frenzy has begun. Therefore, it’s safe to say that your car is probably in desperate need of a major post-summer clean!

To ensure you clean out every nook and cranny and pick up anything your passengers may have left behind, here are some tips for giving your vehicle a top-to-bottom clean.

1. Throw away any trash

Even though summer vacation is meant to be relaxing, it can often feel as though you’re constantly on the run. During all the hustle and bustle, your vehicle’s storage compartments often turn into tiny trash bins.

Take the time to empty every compartment, including those on the front and back doors as well as the glove compartment.

Once you’ve finished cleaning the inside and outside of your vehicle, why not add a small trash can near the front passenger seat or in the middle of the backseat to prevent garbage from piling up? You can often find trash containers that are specially designed for cars.

However, if you prefer not to clutter up your car with any more items, simply get into the habit of throwing away your garbage every time you use your car!

2. Vacuum everywhere

Use your vacuum to clean up any leftover sand, pebbles and crumbs from summer snacks on the road. The slim suction nozzle is perfect for cleaning out any gunk from underneath and around the seats. Give your trunk a good vacuum while you’re at it!

Make sure you also remove the rubber floor mats, shake them out and vacuum them off before putting them back in your vehicle.

3. Remove stubborn stains

Scrub out any stubborn stains that may have soaked into your upholstery or dried onto your storage compartments over the summer. It’s safe to say we all have that one coffee stain that’s just become a part of the decor.

Use a gentle disinfectant to wipe down the cup holders, dashboard, stereo and door handles and get rid of any dried-on food or drinks.

If you have leather seats, take a cotton swab from your medicine cabinet and soak it with a milky-type makeup remover. Then, add a small drop of white vinegar. Gently rub the stain until it disappears. It’s as simple as that!

If you have fabric seats, your best bet is to use a steam cleaner. It will ensure your seats thoroughly clean without having to scrub. The best part is you can also use it on your car's rubber floor mats and other fabric surfaces.

4. Clean the mirrors

This isn’t necessarily a cleaning tip; however, it will save you a lot of trouble on the road when the temperatures inside and outside your vehicle are at opposite ends of the spectrum.

As surprising as it may seem, shaving cream can actually prevent your windows from fogging up!

Simply spread shaving cream all over your windows and then wipe it off using a dry cloth. This will immediately prevent fog from forming on your windows. However, be aware that you’ll need to repeat this step every time the fog threatens to creep in again!

If you prefer a more traditional method, spray a gentle glass cleaner on all your car windows and mirrors and then wipe them clean with a microfibre cloth.

You can finish off this step by hanging or clipping an air freshener to your rear-view mirror or air vents!

5. Terminer le grand ménage par une visite au lave-auto

Head over to your nearest Ultramar gas station to pamper your car in an Ultrawash. After cleaning out the interior of your vehicle, it’s time to make the outside sparkle and shine.

When you arrive at an Ultralave car wash, you’ll be able to choose from three different types of washes:

• Regular
• Plus
• Supreme

They all provide a hot shampoo wash, a high-pressure rinse and a power dry. The Plus car wash also includes an undercarriage wash, while the Supreme includes a super wash, a triple foam polish, two high-pressure rinses and Rain-X spray.

We encourage you to enjoy the last beautiful days of summer in your clean car!

While you’re there, take the opportunity to check your tire pressure and reinflate them if necessary. Summer driving can take a toll on your tires!