5 things you shouldn't do when washing your car yourself.

The weather in many provinces and cities is entering a period of unpredictable rain and sunshine, making cars more susceptible to dirt and dust. With various types of pressure washers widely available on the market, many car owners are equipping themselves with one to save costs and wash their cars at home during their free time.

However, for convenience, many people who wash their cars at home often make mistakes in using car wash equipment, causing damage and scratches to the car's paint surface. According to a technician at a car care shop chain in Ho Chi Minh City, there are 5 things that drivers and car owners should be aware of.Things to avoid when washing your car yourself to prevent damaging the paint:

1. Do not use one bucket of water or one towel to wipe the entire car body.

When washing your car yourself, never use just one bucket of water to rinse the cleaning cloth or use only one cloth to wipe the entire car body. This can leave small sand particles unwashed, causing scratches on the paint surface. Typically, after a period of use, the lower part of the car body accumulates more mud, sand, and dirt. If you only use one bucket of water and one cloth, these small sand particles will stick to the cloth and cannot be removed with just one bucket of water without a filter. Therefore, continuously wiping the car body will create small scratches on the paint surface.

Therefore, when washing your car, you should use at least two buckets of water with a filter underneath and sponges to wipe the car. After wiping, rinse the sponge in the first bucket of water, then rinse the sponge in the second bucket with a specialized cleaning cloth. Doing this sequentially will help remove small sand and stone particles clinging to the cloth and prevent damage to the car's paint surface.

2. Do not use laundry detergent or dish soap as a substitute for car wash liquid.

This is a common mistake many people make when washing their cars themselves. Instead of buying specialized car wash solutions, many people often use laundry detergent or dish soap readily available at home, mixing it with a bucket of water to create foam for washing their cars. According to Mr. Tong Quang Phu - Director of Mobile Car Care, a company specializing in car care and maintenance in Vietnam: "Dish soap or laundry detergent contains many cleaning agents and has a high alkaline content... when used to wash a car, it will directly affect the protective layer of the paint surface, and over time will fade the car's paint color."

Therefore, if you wash your car at home, you shouldn't use laundry detergent or dish soap. Instead, you should buy specialized car cleaning solutions. These cleaning solutions contain ingredients that effectively remove stubborn dirt and grime without damaging the paint surface.

3. Do not use old clothes to wipe down your car.

Besides dish soap and laundry detergent, some people also use old, unused clothes to wipe down their cars when washing them themselves. This is something that shouldn't be done, because old clothes often have thick seams, creases, or printed or attached plastic or metal brand logos. If users are not careful and use them to wipe down the car, it can scratch the car's paint surface.

4. Do not run rubber hoses or water pipes across the vehicle body.

When using a pressure washer to spray around a car, many people, for convenience, often wrap the hose around the car body. However, this is not recommended because car owners may pay the price as the hose, when continuously pulled, can leave serious scratches on the car's surface. It's best to wrap the hose around the car when spraying areas around the vehicle.

5. Do not use feather dusters to sweep dust.

Some people have a habit of using a feather duster to remove dust from their car before washing it. However, feather dusters are only suitable for dusting household items and are not suitable for use on car paint surfaces. Using a feather duster to remove dust can scratch the car's paint.