Not to alarm any readers unduly, but chances are that a toxic and abrasive solution of sand and salt is attacking your vehicle’s metal floor at the molecular level right this very second.
“Oh no!” you're probably thinking.
“How did that happen?”
Remember when you got into your car this winter, with slush on your boots, about 350 times? That's how. Your kids, their friends, their winter gear and the family dog didn't likely help, either.
Once melted, the abrasive, wet and corrosive cocktail seeps into carpeting-- where it causes mildew and corrosion before eventually destroying your vehicle’s flimsy sheet-metal floor from the inside out.
Of course, there’s also the hot-chocolate stain soaking into your upholstery. And the bacteria growing on your steering wheel. And the just-plain-nasty smells from those hockey bags. Chances are, winter’s left your ride a salty, unpleasant-smelling mess.
Here are some tips to help minimize the damaging effects winter can have on your rides interior-- as well as a few pointers on cleaning and detailing ahead of pleasant travels this summer.
•Yank those floor mats out and inspect the damage beneath. Hopefully you used thick rubber mats this winter to keep salt and sand from feasting on your carpeting and floor. If not, take the salt-crusted mats to the laundry room wash basin and get to work with a bristle brush to remove the hardened stains.
•If the carpeting under the floor mats is also in poor shape, remember that a good vacuuming will remove loose sand and salt. A brush or even carpet shampooing may be required to tackle the deeper staining.
•Some folks use a kettle of boiling water and a Shop-Vac to dissolve and suck up salt stains. Remember to let things dry properly before replacing the mats inside.
“Oh no!” you're probably thinking.
“How did that happen?”
 |
| Photo: Jupiter Images |
Remember when you got into your car this winter, with slush on your boots, about 350 times? That's how. Your kids, their friends, their winter gear and the family dog didn't likely help, either.
Once melted, the abrasive, wet and corrosive cocktail seeps into carpeting-- where it causes mildew and corrosion before eventually destroying your vehicle’s flimsy sheet-metal floor from the inside out.
Of course, there’s also the hot-chocolate stain soaking into your upholstery. And the bacteria growing on your steering wheel. And the just-plain-nasty smells from those hockey bags. Chances are, winter’s left your ride a salty, unpleasant-smelling mess.
Here are some tips to help minimize the damaging effects winter can have on your rides interior-- as well as a few pointers on cleaning and detailing ahead of pleasant travels this summer.
•Yank those floor mats out and inspect the damage beneath. Hopefully you used thick rubber mats this winter to keep salt and sand from feasting on your carpeting and floor. If not, take the salt-crusted mats to the laundry room wash basin and get to work with a bristle brush to remove the hardened stains.
•If the carpeting under the floor mats is also in poor shape, remember that a good vacuuming will remove loose sand and salt. A brush or even carpet shampooing may be required to tackle the deeper staining.
•Some folks use a kettle of boiling water and a Shop-Vac to dissolve and suck up salt stains. Remember to let things dry properly before replacing the mats inside.
 |
| Photo: Jupiter images |