Credit: baona / Getty ImagesWashing your car matters for more than aesthetics; it's essential to your vehicle's overall maintenance—especially the paint and finish. "Washing regularly isn't just about looks; it's about protecting your vehicle from damage caused by contaminants building up over time," explains auto detailing expert Parham Koukia. But tackle the task incorrectly, and you could end up harming those very details you're trying your best to protect.If you've got a set of new wheels, or simply want to spruce up something you've been driving for awhile, our experts break down the supplies you need, the steps to take, and the mistakes to avoid when washing your car at home. Related: The Must-Have Items to Keep in Your Car for Summer EmergenciesHow Often to Wash Your CarWashing every two weeks is a great way to keep your car looking its best. "Washing every week is recommended for cars exposed to harsh weather conditions such as salted roads in the winter months, high levels of pollen, tree sap and bird droppings," adds Koukia, who works as a lead car detailer at Panda Hub. He warns that all of these contaminants are either acidic or abrasive. "They will eat away at your vehicle's finish if left too long," he says.AdvertisementAdvertisementConsider washing based on exposure, not a set schedule. "If you're driving your car daily, washing it every week or two should be alright," says Chas Glaub, CEO at We Buy Exotics. If it's more of a weekend car, once a month is usually fine.A car can look completely clean and still have things like brake dust or tree sap sitting on it, Glaub says, doing damage you can't yet see. "A lot of exotic car owners under-wash simply because the car isn't racking up daily miles, so it's sitting in a garage looking clean," Glaub says. "But contaminants like pollen, sap, or dust don't need the car to be driven to do damage. Even a car that barely moves still needs a regular wash."How to Wash Your Car Like a ProFirst, place your vehicle in the shade. It should be cool to the touch and not in direct sunlight. Then, gather your supplies.Two buckets (3- or 5-gallon, ideally)Adjustable spray hoseGrit guards pH-neutral or pH-balanced car shampooWheel cleanerWheel brushMicrofiber wash mittFoam sprayerMicrofiber towels AdvertisementAdvertisement"Next, fill two buckets—soapy water in one, and plain water in the other," Koukia says. "Place a grit guard in the bottom of each bucket to trap debris removed from the mitt during washing."How to Wash the WheelsAlways wash your wheels first so that dirt and brake dust don't move to the rest of the car, advises Lou Virost, owner of Pro Performance Wheels, which can easily cause scratching.As stated, ensure that your vehicle—especially the wheels—is cool before cleaning. "Spraying hot wheels with cold water may cause damage to the finish and can warp the brake rotors or drums," Virost says. "In addition, you are more likely to get water spots since the water will evaporate off the vehicle more quickly." Use the wheel brush and dedicated wheel cleaner to scrub the brake dust away.Rinse the wheels thoroughly before moving on to the rest of the car.TipsDo not use the wash mitt on your wheels, as contamination of brake dust can scratch the body paint.How to Wash the BodyPay special attention to the underside of the car when cleaning the body of the vehicle, notes Luke Oswald, automotive specialist at Wheels Away. "In my experience, checking underneath the car can be more important than checking the overall condition," Oswald says. "The salt and dust on the road get caught in the car's brakes and suspension, which speeds up the oxidation of metal parts. This could be unsafe to the driver and tends to be expensive to fix." AdvertisementAdvertisementUsing a hose, pre-rinse the whole car from top to bottom.Hook a foam sprayer to your hose and fill it with car wash soap. Apply an even layer of foam to the entire car and let it sit for two minutes so the foam can trap the dirt for easy cleaning.Rinse the entire car before the foam dries completely. Dry foam can cause spotting.Use your wash mitt and soap bucket to apply soap to one panel at a time. Start at the top of the car, use swift straight back-and-forth motions (not spirals), overlapping as you move down the car.After each car panel, rinse the panel with the hose from the top down. Then, rinse the mitt in the bucket of clean water to prevent contamination in your soap bucket. Rub it gently against the grit guard to get rid of any remaining debris before rewetting it with soapy water.When all panels are clean, do a final rinse of the whole car from the top down to get any remaining soap. Keep the water stream light and steady.TipsIf your car needs multiple shampoos, don't just double the soap in the bucket. "Read the directions on the shampoo bottle," says Oswald. "If you use too much, it can be hard to get all of it off and leave streaks behind."How to Address Common StainsWhile the above washing routine will take care of routine dirt and grime, if your vehicle is sporting some stains, follow the remedies below.Bird Droppings: Bird waste is acidic. When heat from the sun expands your car's clear coat, that acid bakes directly into the paint lacquer. Wet a piece of paper towel with warm water, lay it over the dropping for five minutes to rehydrate and soften it, then gently lift it away. Do not attempt to scrape it off dry or use abrasive kitchen sponges.Road Tar: Road tar leaves stubborn black petroleum-based specks that stick like glue. Avoid picking at them or using household solvents like acetone, which will ruin your paint's finish. Tar needs an oil-based approach or a proper automotive tar remover to break it down safely before you wash it off.Water Spots: Those white rings are calcium and mineral deposits left behind when wash water evaporates in the sun. Scrubbing at them dry will etch the paint, so never attempt this. Instead, use a 50/50 mix of distilled water and white vinegar to break down those alkaline mineral deposits safely. Allow to sit for 60 seconds, rinse the area thoroughly, and re-apply a protective wax, as vinegar will strip protective layers.How to Dry a Car ProperlyDrying properly will ensure you aren't left with water spots.AdvertisementAdvertisementUsing a highly absorbent microfiber towel, lightly run it along the entire car from top to bottom, squeezing water out as you move along.As with the wash mitt, move the towel in straight left-to-right motions, not circular, as this will prevent swirl marks.Cleaning Mistakes That Can Damage a Car's FinishOne of the biggest surprises for most people is that damage to their car's paint is usually caused by how they wash it—not by what happens on the road. "Swirl marks seen under sunlight are almost always self-inflicted from dirty mitts, sponges, and poor quality drying towels," says Koukia.Aggressive Scrubbing and Abrasive Products: The gentler you are, the better the paint holds up over time. "You're trying to lift contamination off the surface," Glaub says, "not grind it across." And if you think strong soap makes for a better cleaning job, you're mistaken. "In reality, it removes existing protections from your vehicle's paint," Koukia says.Using Dish Soap: People seem to reach for dish soap because it cuts grease, but that's the problem. "It strips wax and a clear coat right along with the grime," Glaub warns.Social Media Shortcuts: When it comes to everyday car stains, TikTok provides plenty of quick internet shortcuts. "But viral hacks could risk doing far more harm than good to your paintwork," warns Dan Briggs, CEO at Motorfinity. Trust the professionals.Regularly Relying on Automatic Car Washes: Though OK once in a while, Glaub warns that the spinning brushes and recycled water used by automatic car washes can result in scratches to your vehicle's paint. "Those brushes have already scrubbed against a hundred other cars that day, and you're basically buffing swirl marks into your paint," he says.Improper Drying Tools and Techniques: Dedicate specific microfiber towels for this task only. "Old bath towels tend to trap debris and drag it across the finish of the vehicle," Koukia warns, "resulting in unwanted swirl marks."Read the original article on Martha Stewart