Easy Car Maintenance Hacks and Basic Vehicle “Housekeeping”

Sep 9, 2025

It’s housekeeping week, so we thought we’d do a little tidying and minding of our vehicles! From important paperwork to cleaning and maintenance tips, on today’s blog we’re handing you a primer for easy vehicle housekeeping. We’ll start with making sure essential documents are up to date and in the right place, followed by a list of vital emergency items you should have on hand at all times, and some general cleanliness for maintenance between professional detailings.

First Up: Paperwork!

It’s important to check that your insurance, registration, and license are up to date and stored in a secure place. The center console or glove compartment are common places to store these, but some drivers like to purchase a little clip and holder for registration/insurance that attaches them above the driver’s side visor for convenience.

Let’s review important documents you should be able to locate in a pinch:

Vehicle Registration and/or official dated receipt of payment for updated registration if renewed recently.
Proof of Insurance with updated policy coverage dates (you can also download this to your mobile phone wallet and/or utilize a digital app version in most states)
Your Driver’s License should be up to date and in your possession at all times.
Maintenance Records of recent repairs and regular oil changes are a bonus
The vehicle owner’s manual should be accessible in a pinch to identify warning lights and access important make/model information for maintenance and safety
Emergency contact names/numbers list on a paper in the glove compartment is also a good idea
Ensure that the title of your vehicle is safe and secure in your home in a fireproof box.
Important: Never store your vehicle title inside of the car itself. This is the official proof of ownership for your vehicle, and should it get damaged or stolen this may cause significant issues for recovery or insurance purposes. Likewise if you have a “bill of sale” for your vehicle, it should be stowed with the title and never inside the vehicle itself.

Second: Basic Emergency Kit Supplies

We’ve run several blogs devoted to preparing for emergencies and what to keep on hand for essential travel with on road trips, but here’s a quick primer to refresh you!

Basic emergency and maintenance tools you should keep in your vehicle include:

A tire pressure gauge to maintain proper pressure
Jumper cables in case of emergency
A spare tire with tire jack
A tire air compressor
A tire patch kit and air pump
A few blankets and towels
In cold weather months: include a small container of kitty litter and/or road salt with a portable shovel in case of emergency, hats, gloves, hand warmers
LED flashers or reflective cones/triangles in case of emergency
A handcrank or small pocket LED flashlight
A portable battery charger for your vehicle and electronics
It’s also a great idea to have an extra set of clothes on hand to change into if you get stranded in inclement weather or have an emergency.

Third: Basic Cleaning and Maintenance Items

A good rule of thumb is to clean and disinfect your car monthly, but at least every quarter should be the bare minimum. In colder months, more frequent cleanings may be advisable, as you can never be too cautious during “cold and flu” season and school germs out to play! Thankfully, we’ve got a great shortlist of supplies we recommend to clean and tidy your car, as well as make at-home detailing a breeze.

To keep your car clean regularly you should keep these great items on hand

Car upholstery and leather-friendly vehicle disinfectant wipes and spray
An upholstery friendly pet deodorizer/neutralizing spray
A hydrophobic windshield/glass treatment to aid in proper visibility.
Coolant/antifreeze to prevent your vehicle from overheating.
Proper motor oil for your make/model of vehicle so you can always top it off before long drives and maintain proper fluid levels.
Glass Cleaner for streak-free, obstruction free windshields
Specialized Car Shampoo and Rinse that’s formulated to remove debris and grime without harming your paint or wrap.
Carpet Cleaner powder or spray to maintain vehicle upholstery and cut down on environmental allergens and debris, and use a soft bristle brush.
Interior Car Cleaning Wipes specifically formulated to protect your vehicle’s interior fabric (leather, PVC, fabric, etc)
Clean microfiber cloths instead of sponges as they pick up dirt and debris without scratching or creating dreaded paint swirls.
A clay bar to help remove dirt and contaminants from your vehicle after washing with cleansers and shampoos.
A decent portable vacuum cleaner that can adequately remove dust, dirt, and debris while trapping allergens that can reach into small nooks, crannies, and side pockets.

Fourth: Simple Car Cleaning Tips

Here’s some basic detailing and cleaning tips for an at-home car wash and detail:

Cleaning your vehicle out of direct sunlight and in a shady area to allow the cleansers to work efficiently without evaporation.
Don’t use sponges in a swirling, circular motion; choose one direction to wipe and stick with it!
Utilize more than one bucket: one for an initial rinse down, one for clean soapy water, one with clean water for rinsing the dirty sponge/microfiber cloth; this eliminates chances of dragging grit and grime back onto the car after it’s been cleaned.
Clean your car starting with a washdown of the tires, followed by top to the bottom of the vehicle for maximum efficiency.
If you spot bugs or bird droppings on your vehicle, make sure to remove them by using a special removal cleaner or some sort of lubricant to avoid scratching the paint.
Remove sap, dead bugs, and animal droppings as quickly as you can when you spot them. Letting them sit can cause corrosion, scratches, and stains.