Are you ready to shine-max your car? Keeping your car clean is one thing, but getting that showroom-level shine and polish is another. Maximize that shine and finish with the car cleaning products and tips from Flitz!

A shiny, clean car isn’t just about vanity. Keeping your vehicle clean also protects your paint, glass, and interior from wear and helps you hold onto the value of your investment. Ready to make your ride feel like new again? Here are the best car cleaning tips and products to get glowing!

1. Wash Smarter, Not Harder

Common Habit: Grabbing whatever soap is under the sink.

We’ve all grabbed soap from under the sink and used it to wash our car. But dish soaps and degreasers aren’t made for cars. In fact, they can strip away the wax and protective coatings that keep your paint safe from dust and shine-dulling micro scratches.

Better Practice: Use a soap made specifically for cars.

Your choice of “car wash” soap matters. Many detergents are too strong. Instead of keeping your finish strong, they slowly undo all those layers of protective wax you’ve worked so hard to build. Grab Flitz Quick Gleam Car Wash Soap for a clean that won’t harm your finish.

Best Practice: Protect as you clean.

The key to a beautiful ride is to keep those protective layers in place. Wash your vehicle in the shade, with two buckets – one for soapy suds, one to rinse. Finish the job with a microfiber drying towel.

But the wash doesn’t stop there. Lock in that protection with FZ Speed Waxx or Flitz Ceramic Sealant. These are two of the best car-protecting products, and they work hand-in-hand. Speed Waxx gives you that deep, natural glow from premium Brazilian Carnauba wax. The Ceramic Sealant builds a ceramic-type shell that shields your car from UV rays, heat, and detergents (as well as the occasional bird dropping).

Want everything in one easy set? Pick up the Flitz Professional Car & Truck Detailing Kit, which includes our cleaner, polish, wax, sealant, and a microfiber cloth—everything you need for a showroom-ready finish.

2. The Drying Dilemma of Towels vs. Microfiber

Common Habit: Grabbing an old bath towel.

Put down the towel! Cotton towels just move dirt around on your car. Worse? The fibers can leave behind hairline scratches in your paint! Keep those old towels in the rag bag for other projects.

Best Practice: Always reach for microfiber.

When you want a professional shine, you need to use professional tools, and for vehicles, that means microfiber. Microfiber’s wedge-shaped fibers trap dirt, rather than push it around. These amazing cloths can absorb up to four times their weight in water. Towels? Not even close.

Our Flitz Premium Microfiber Polishing Cloths are durable, washable (without the use of fabric softener, please), and affordable, priced under $5. Fold the cloth in quarters, flip it often, and gently glide it across your car’s surface for a fast and flawless dry.

3. Wax or Sealant?

Common Habit: Waxing too often…or worse, not at all.

Better Practice: Know when to use the right product.

Knowing the difference between wax and sealant and using the right product is key for protecting that showroom shine.

FZ Speed Waxx is made from Brazilian carnauba wax, which gives you that rich depth-of-color and natural shine. Speed Waxx fills swirls and micro-scratches. It sprays on for a fast, easy wax job that wipes clean without residue.

Wax is important, but it has natural limitations. When surface temperatures reach over 180°F, car wax begins to evaporate. (And yes, on hot days in the sun, a dark colored car can get scorching hot).

That’s where Flitz Ceramic Sealant comes in. It gets its name because it’s a synthetic, ceramic-style coating engineered for long-term protection. You get eight months of shine defense against heat, UV rays, detergents (in case someone else “washes” the car), and grime.

Best Practice: Two is better than one.

Do both—use FZ Speed Waxx for your quick-detail sessions and apply Ceramic Sealant twice a year for heavy-duty battle armor.

Layering the two protectants keeps your car looking natural-wax beautiful with the protective endurance of chemistry. Flitz car cleaning products and protective products are fast and easy to use. They wipe off clean without those telltale waxy streaks and marks that require a day of elbow grease to remove. Protect your car with less effort—it’s a win-win!

4. Don’t Neglect those Rims

Common Habit: Cleaning rims with soap and water.

Even the shiniest finish won’t stand out against scummy, dull wheels and rims. Soap and water just can't do the trick, and they leave behind spots and residue so you don't get the showroom sparkle.

Best Practice: Clean, polish, and protect rims with products made for the job!

Instead, use the right products made for wheels and rims. Start with Flitz Metal Pre-Clean. A quick spray helps dissolve rust, calcium, and brake dust without dulling your finish. Follow up the job with Flitz Polish Paste to bring back that luster and remove oxidation.

When everything’s looking sharp, finish the job with Flitz Ceramic Sealant to lock out moisture and road grime for up to six months.

Want wheels to match those hot rims? Get the Flitz Automotive Wheel Detail Kit to give the tires a little love, too. Our Buff Ball works with your drill to get a stunning glow—no elbow grease needed.

One final word to the wise: start with your wheels to avoid splattering dirt onto your freshly washed paint. It sounds counterintuitive when you usually clean from the top down, but in this case, it can save you a bit of frustration. Stand back and admire your clean car with shiny, bright rims and squeaky-clean wheels!

5. Headlight Restoration 101

Common Habit: Using DIY cleaners or internet hacks like bug spray to clear foggy headlights.

If you’ve seen the videos and tips on Reddit or YouTube, you might think that DEET-based bug sprays can leave you with bright, clear headlights. Stop. Step away from the internet (once you finish reading this post) and put down the bug spray (unless you’re going outside to touch grass for a minute).

DEET-based bug sprays are the subject of many “quick shine” videos and posts as a cheap headlight-clearing hack. Yes, DEET temporarily dissolves or softens the oxidized layer on polycarbonate headlight lenses. They will look clearer for a few days.

But DEET also breaks down plastic, including the clearcoat layer that protects the lens. After the “hack,” the surface becomes even more prone to yellowing and clouding, even worse than before. If it drips on your paint, it can strip the clearcoat and even leave permanent streaks.

Other hacks, such as baking soda and vinegar, may clean the surface dirt, but they won't remove deep oxidation. Soap leaves behind a film; expect more fog down the road.

Best Practice: Go for a professional restoration kit.

Instead, get the Flitz Headlight Restoration Kit. Our kit has everything you need for a permanent fix and long-lasting protection. In the kit you get:

• Flitz Polish Paste: to remove oxidation and restore those headlights.
• Flitz Ceramic Sealant: for a protective seal against hazards like UV rays.
• 1000 Grit Abrasive Scuffing Pad: to prepare the surface for restoring.
• Mini 3" Buff Ball: goes right on your drill for no-work buffing.
• Microfiber Cloth: with instructions for headlights that do their job!

Another word to the wise: Foggy headlights are a safety issue. Not only is driving with foggy or dim headlights unsafe, but it also counts as a mid-level lighting violation under DOT standards. Don’t do a hack job—go for the real deal for headlights that work.

7. Get Crystal Clear Windows and Mirrors

Common Habit: Reaching for that squeegee by the gas pump to “clean” your windows.

Those squeegees by the pump might do in a pinch—if you’ve really got some bug guts on your windshield and you’re out of wiper fluid. Otherwise, remember they’re full of grit (and who knows what) and they don’t protect your glass.

Your car's glass is a structural safety component designed to protect you. Windshield wiper fluid doesn’t remove mineral buildup, oxidation, or fine scratches. Over time, cheap cleaners can dull protective coatings too.

Best Practice: Using Flitz Ceramic Sealant to protect your auto glass.

That’s when you should reach for Flitz Ceramic Sealant for your windshield and mirrors. The sealant creates a hydrophobic barrier to repel rain, resist bug and bird splatter, and keep your glass streak-free longer.

Apply the sealant in a thin layer to your clean windshield or mirror. Let it haze for a moment, then buff it with a microfiber cloth for crystal-clear visibility that lasts and lasts. You'll spend less time scrubbing and cleaning and more time enjoying the view from the open road.

8. Interior Habits Make a Difference

Common Habit: Leaving a trail of wrappers, bottles, and takeout boxes in your car.

Along with food and trash come crumbs and spills. Real talk, food attracts bugs and rodents and creates lingering odors. While you might not be able to ban your family from eating in the car, cleaning as you go makes a big difference.

Best Practice: Declutter daily and clean spills instantly.

For spills, blot—don’t rub—with a clean towel, and then treat with a cleaner suited to your upholstery (always spot-test first). Don’t let debris linger. Wipe and vacuum your car regularly to keep it beautiful inside and out.

Your car's interior deserves the same level of attention and TLC as its exterior. Make it a habit to keep a small bag for trash in the car and empty it each time you exit your vehicle. When you stay on top of clutter and rubbish, it will be much easier to keep the inside looking and smelling fresh.

Stay smart by keeping a microfiber towel in your glove box to tackle any messes right away. Address them before they stain or soak in.

The Car Cleaning Routine That Protects Your Investment

The secret to great car care is consistency. Keep up on the best practices, and you'll protect your investment. Better yet, you'll love that your car looks brand new (even if it's logged hundreds of miles).

• Weekly: Rinse exterior and tidy interior.
• Monthly: Full wash + wax.
• Quarterly: Detail wheels, headlights, and glass.
• Twice a year: Protect with Flitz Sealant.

A few minutes of maintenance each month will prevent corrosion, fading, and costly bodywork. Your car reflects your hard work and care. With the right habits, you can keep it looking brand-new for years.

Find the car cleaning products you need at Flitz. Remember that with Flitz, less is more, and a little product goes a long way. The results speak for themselves. You’re going to love your shine!