Summer Car Care: How to Keep Your Vehicle Clean During Road Trips

Between the snacks, spilled drinks, bug splatter, and dusty roads, summer travel can do a number on your car. But keeping it clean during a road trip doesn’t have to be complicated.

Here’s how to keep your vehicle looking (and smelling) fresh the whole trip—with just a few key products and 5–10 minutes at each stop.

1. Pre-Trip Protection = Less Work Later

Start your trip with a clean, protected vehicle. This makes it easier to wipe off bugs, bird droppings, and road grime as you go.

• Apply Tough As Shell to the paint, trim, and glass before leaving
• Clean the interior with Complete Cabin Cleaner to remove old odors and grime
• Dress tires and plastic with All Dressed Up for a dry, clean look

2. Keep a “Quick Clean” Kit in the Trunk

A small bag with a few key items can keep your car looking sharp on the go:

• Cabin Cleaner in a travel-sized sprayer
• Everyday Microfiber Towels for quick wipe-downs
• Window towel for inside/outside glass
• Mini trash bag or container to collect wrappers and wipes

3. Wipe Bugs and Bird Droppings ASAP

Bug guts and bird droppings are acidic. Let them sit too long, and they’ll eat into your clear coat.

When you stop for gas or food, do a quick wipe with a damp microfiber towel. If you're protected with Tough As Shell, they’ll wipe off easily without scrubbing.

4. Interior Wipe-Down Every Other Day

Travel = mess. Dust builds up on the dash. Drink holders get sticky. AC vents blow crumbs from snacks and drive-thru meals. A 2-minute wipe with Cabin Cleaner keeps things under control.

5. Rinse When You Can

At a hotel or rest stop with a hose or coin-op bay? Do a quick rinse to knock off bug guts and brake dust. No need to fully wash—just keep buildup under control. Your paint will thank you later.

6. Touch Up Protection at Week’s End

If your road trip runs more than 5–7 days, apply another layer of Tough As Shell before heading home. It’ll make clean-up after the trip way easier.

Conclusion

Keeping your car clean during a road trip doesn’t take much—just a few good products and a simple plan. Start protected, clean as you go, and your car will still look great when you pull back into your driveway.

🧼 Recommended Travel Detailing Kit:

• Tough As Shell – Spray Ceramic Coating
• Complete Cabin Cleaner – Interior Multi-Surface Cleaner
• Everyday Microfiber Towels – Pack a few for the road
• All Dressed Up – Tire and Trim Protection

Stay clean. Stay protected. Enjoy the ride.