How should I hand wash my car?

1. WATCH THE WEATHER Washing a car in the sun might seem like the best thing to do, but the heat will dry out your car between washing and cleaning, which could leave water marks on the bodywork. Pick a cloudy day or a shaded area to get to work.

2. PRECLEAN Dirt and grit need to be washed off your car before you can get started with any cleaning. A hose pipe or pressure washer will make life much easier, allowing you to get rid of the worst of the muck. If possible, use a snow foam, which will loosen even more grime and means you won’t get it embedded in your sponge or mitt in the next stage.

3. SHAMPOO Once you’ve completed a pressure wash, you should then get hands-on, using a traditional bucket and sponge or wash mitt. Use a car wash shampoo rather than washing up liquid, which can contain salt and may strip off any protective waxes. Rinse the sponge after each wipe and go panel-by-panel, working from top to bottom to prevent dirt spreading.

4. RINSE Use plenty of water to rinse the bodywork, either using just the hose or a pressure washer. In warmer weather you’ll need to get to the panels before they have had a chance to dry, so you may want to rinse in stages. Also make sure you remove any chemical treatments such as wheel cleaner within the time recommended in the instructions.

5. DRY If your car has a good coating of wax and you’re not in a hard-water area, you might be able to dry the car without touching it, usually by using the ‘blow’ function on a vacuum cleaner.

Most of us will still need to use a cloth, however. The traditional chamois leather has been rendered obsolete by the latest generation of microfibre drying cloths. We’d suggest drying the windows first and then working methodically over the rest of the car, turning the cloth regularly and wringing it out when it becomes sodden. Then stand back and admire your work! Or move on to the next stage with a full detailing session.