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48 Phonebox Magazine | June 2025Phonebox Motoringwith Tom JohnstonCars have a tough life. Millions of them are fi red up and driven every day, in the baking sun and the freezing cold, on dusty country lanes and rain-swept motorways. And when they are not being thrashed up and down the highway, they%u2019re carrying the shopping, taking a boot-load of rubbish to the local tip, picking up the children from school and acting as a makeshift restaurant when you and your family stop for a quick drive-through burger.Every second of every minute of every day, your car is getting dirtier and dirtier. And with that fi lth and grime comes germs, microbes and bacteria. Giving your car a wash and clean on a regular basis is not only good for its looks, it%u2019s good for its hygiene too.Taking it for a professional once-over is one way of solving the problem. But that can be costly %u2013 upwards of %u00a330 every time. But giving your vehicle a clean yourself is a much cheaper option. So how do you valet your car at home? Here are Phonebox Magazine%u2019s top washing tips.STEP 1 %u2013 DOWSING:Don%u2019t just plunge a sponge into a soapy bucket and get scrubbing. Your car%u2019s bodywork will be covered in tiny particles of dust and grit, and you will simply be pushing those into the paintwork. Start wetting the roof and work your way around the car, down to the wheels, giving everything a good soaking.STEP 2 %u2013 SHAMPOOING:Follow the same pattern with the application of the car shampoo. There are hundreds to choose from in car DIY shops, and they give everything a good lathering to lift dirt and grime. Make sure the windows are well washed, and don%u2019t forget your side mirrors. Get as low as you can under the car without actually scrubbing the underside. And use a small brush to get in among the nooks and crannies of your alloy wheels.STEP 3 %u2013 RINSING:Starting again with the roof, work your way down the car, rinsing everything well with clean water from a hose or fresh bucket of water and a clean sponge. The water falling from the roof is already rinsing the doors and wheels by the time you reach them, so everything is well washed and there%u2019s little waste of water.STEP 4 %u2013 DRYING:Don%u2019t leave the car to %u2018air dry%u2019. It will end up covered in water spots, especially on the glass. Use a clean drying towel or microfi bre cloth to go over the whole car, removing water. Some people like a chamois leather, but synthetic microfi bre cloths are excellent for picking up moisture. Use a separate cloth to dry wheels as these are likely to still hold small grit and brake dust particles.HOW TO VALET YOUR Whether you use your car every day, once a week, or only bring it out occasionally, it%u2019s important to keep your vehicle clean and tidy is a must.