There are only 429 cars from the BMW 2002 series left on UK roads according to data from the Department For Transport UK. If you are the proud owner of any one of these rare, classic cars that literally put the BMW automobile company on the map, learning how best to take care of it should be your solemn duty. Regularly washing a BMW is considered one of the best ways to maintain its pristine new car look. When road tripping in your BMW or during your day to day movements, your car is bound to collect a lot of debris; bird droppings, pollen, dust, and what have you.
If you want it to look brand new despite all this, then you need to wash your car weekly or at least once a month. And while there are tonnes of BMW approved commercial cleaners, using organic cleaners to do the job will not only be more cost effective, it will also be healthier for you and the environment. Toxins in commercial car cleaners like soaps apparently contribute as much air pollution as car emissions. That said, it is high time BMW owners transitioned to organically cleaning their cars seeing that the BMW Group is one of the largest automobile manufacturers popular for minimising on their impact on the environment.
Important Things To Note When Cleaning Your BMW
First things first, never should you clean your BMW when it is still hot. Secondly, washing your car should be done under a shade and using soft water only. The use of hard water is not recommended as it will leave behind mineral spots once the car is all dried up. Do not use toxic household cleaners under any circumstances, to wash your BMWs body as they will damage the paint and finish. Lastly, when cleaning the interior of your BMW 02, use a damp not wet piece of cloth.
Organic Ways of Cleaning Your BMW’s Exterior
The first step in organically cleaning your BMW is rinsing it with water. This gets rid of all loose debris that might otherwise cause scratches. Next, mix water with an organic mild detergent. Take care to avoid cleaners with toxins and wash the car top to bottom. Clean one area at a time, say the hood, starting with the soapy solution, followed by a rinse and then dry it using a soft microfiber towel before moving to the next.
Cleaning The Glass and Wheels
Cleaning your windows and windscreen will require you to mix 250ml of water, a tablespoon of vinegar and lemon juice in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture evenly on the glass then wipe it off with a soft microfiber cloth. Voila! Alternatively, you can follow the same steps but use a solution of 4 cups of water and a ½ cup of cornstarch instead.
The wheels of cars in the BMW 02 series are between 9 inches to 11 inches wide. Getting rid of grease, road tar and rubber on these wheels will be a little more challenging. You will need two brushes; one for the wheel and another for the tire, sponges, a mild organic detergent and warm water. Wet the sponges and use them to get rid of debris like sand. Use the brushes to remove the grease and rubber. Rinse the wheel and tire and then dry them using a soft fibre cloth.
Natural Ways Of Cleaning Your BMW’s Interior
The first step when cleaning the inside of your precious BMW 02 is to vacuum it first. Ensure you remove any debris. Next, inspect the car thoroughly and be on the lookout for stain spots. Stains could result from ketchup, coffee spills or even vomit. Whatever the case, you will need to make two solutions in order to get rid of the stains. For the first, mix a cup of warm water and a ¼ cup of baking soda and then use a toothbrush to apply it to stained spots. Leave this for 30 minutes and then use a dry soft towel to blot it up. Next, mix warm water, ¼ cup of vinegar and any organic dish detergent of your liking in a spray bottle and spray it on the seats.
Using a soft bristled brush or sponge, work this section into the seats, let it sit for 15 minutes and then use a dry towel to absorb any moisture. Please note you can only use a soft-bristled brush or a sponge unless you want to damage the leather covering your seats and door padding. Once you have gotten rid of stains, clean the insides of the car with a clean damp microfiber cloth before drying it with a cloth. Lastly, you will need to condition the leather seats of your BMW 02. To do this, simply apply coconut oil and gently rub it onto the seats with a dry towel.
Natural Ways of Getting Rid Of Odour
If your car has an odour, spray baking soda on the affected area, leave it be for 15 minutes and then vacuum. Alternatively, you can place two bowls filled with vinegar on the dashboard and back seat. Close all ventilation and leave them to sit overnight. In the morning the odour will be gone. Simply open the car’s windows and 2 or 3 doors depending on the model, to air it out and get rid of the vinegar smell. You can then use essential oils, mint chips, or lavender flowers to make the car smell good.
Once you are done cleaning your BMW, wash all the used microfiber towels in hot water and separate from other laundry. Same to the brushes and sponges. Take note to always use a damp and not wet cloth when cleaning the BMW’s interior as the water can damage fabric and cause a musty smell.